I probably should have done this earlier... but, I just spent the past 3 hours re-reading Newt’s bio, some 1990’s era news stories, and some long-winded essays that I wrote ‘back in the day’.... just to refresh my memory.
Given the fact that, at the TIME Newt resigned, he had NOT YET been vindicated by the IRS for his ethics charges, and... he seemed likely to lose his re-election as Speaker.... I think, it’s not a HUGE stretch to say, “he resigned in disgrace”... he sort of did…
However... when one considers that, the MAIN reason he was losing support as Speaker was, the loss of Republican seats in the 1998 election... and, the fact that the REASON the Republicans lost seats was: They took a PRINCIPLED stance when impeaching Bill Clinton.... I think, it would be MORE FAIR to say, “Newt resigned WITH grace.... rather than in disgrace”.
In 1998, the general public did NOT want Clinton impeached. Yes... we all knew he was a scumbag liar and serial perjurer.... but, all our 401K’s were going through the roof, and MOST people wanted no part of anything that might spill the apple cart.
I believed... NOT impeaching a President who lied under oath would be a breach of principle. So did Newt. KNOWING that it would be politically unpopular... and, probably knowing that the spineless moderates in the Senate would not back them up... Newt moved the impeachment forward anyway. He paid the price for it when the country punished Republicans for not doing what the people wanted.
I have not been a full-throated supporter of Newt on this board... anyone can read my posts and see that. I was rightly called out recently by Windflier for not “doing my due diligence”. Shame on me for not doing this sooner...life happens (that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking with it). :-)
Now that I have done my homework... I’m reminded: My ‘concerns’ with Newt have NEVER been about whether I like him.... or, whether he governed in ways that I wanted... my concerns were more about how “Others” see him... electability and such. That stuff matters... but, this country (this world) is in BIG financial trouble. We may well be past the point of no return. I hope not… but, if not, we’re close enough to it that major change is needed, and fast. This country needs someone bold… someone with courage.. someone persuasive… someone able to articulate a conservative vision. While I still like a lot about Rick Santorum, he’s simply lacking in these skills.
Newt is “The Guy”…and, if others see problems with him, I’ll do my best to persuade them otherwise.
SomeCallMeTim is officially “OFF THE FENCE” and on-board the train. Sure wish I didn’t have to wait until May to vote.
Great post. Glad to hear you are on board Team Newt!
That stuff matters... but, this country (this world) is in BIG financial trouble. We may well be past the point of no return. I hope not… but, if not, we’re close enough to it that major change is needed, and fast.
This country needs someone bold… someone with courage.. someone persuasive… someone able to articulate a conservative vision.
Tim, you're to be commended for taking the time to do something that few others will. You honestly vetted a candidate you were not supporting, and changed your position, based upon what you uncovered.
Like you, I had great reservations about giving my support to Newt, prior to the Iowa vote, but just as you've done, I had to put my strong disagreements with him into context with his entire career record. It was only when I realized that his on the job performance matched what I need and want to see in a conservative leader, that I began to grant the man the credibility he deserves.
Newt's got a few old bones rattling around in the closet, but where it counts, he's sterling silver. None of us can predict with total accuracy what any man or woman will do once elected, but a close examination of their prior record can help us to choose wisely.
In Newt's case, there's enough in his record to give me the confidence that he'll do what he says he's going to do. He's already demonstrated it.
Thanks.