That Reagan guy was a two bit hack actor from Hollywood, who was divorced, an ex-union guy, AND an ex-Democrat! With a background like that, who in their right mind would listen to him try to preach about conservative principles???
The guy has skeletons in his closet! No sale - he's not credible!
See how that sounds?
All men have things in their past for which they can be censured by their fellows. Newt is no different.
The question is - does he have a set of solid core beliefs to fall back on when he's erred as a man? Do those core values help guide his trajectory in life, and in his decision making? Do those core values align with those espoused and championed by the Framers?
I feel comfortable answering those questions in the affirmative.
“That Reagan guy was a two bit hack actor from Hollywood, who was divorced, an ex-union guy, AND an ex-Democrat! With a background like that, who in their right mind would listen to him try to preach about conservative principles???”
He even voted to institute abortion and raise taxes. The ultimate RINO
But that was hardly the perception of any conservative Republican. Reagan got into the conservative movement early on and his good faith was never in question by conservatives, whatever other voters or reporters thought.
Key fact: Jane Wyman left him, not the other way around. And he and Nancy had a very solid relationship. Also, I'm not aware anybody held the SAG Presidency against him. Times have changed a lot since then.
The question is - does he have a set of solid core beliefs to fall back on when he's erred as a man? Do those core values help guide his trajectory in life, and in his decision making? Do those core values align with those espoused and championed by the Framers?
If you're talking about Newt's political philosophy, I don't know. It's possible that he does have a core set of political values that have guided his decisionmaking in terms of positions and policy. I'd have to look more closely at his career, but you'd have to consider things like the Nancy Pelosi sofa ad.
If you're talking about character and values in Newt's life, we have more to go on there. I can't look into the man's heart, but given some of his behavior there's reason to be skeptical.
Maybe Newt really has changed. I hope to be pleasantly surprised by him. But so far he's struck me as the guy who pushes people out of the way if they're between him and a microphone, and then goes on to say way more than he should to show how smart he is. I hope he'll prove me wrong.