The link you posted is just a gratuitous commentary that regurgitates the petty, supposedly "salient" personal points against Newt from the article in the Esquire magazine which had a self-serving interview with Marianne Ginther (Newt's second wife, who is correctly described as "someone with a bone to pick"), without even slightest attempt to hide the bias or undertake even basic fact-checking.
What only a few minutes of light research would show - but the articles don't mention - is that Marianne and Newt had been separated since June 1987, and have lived their separate lives apart (he lived in Washington D.C., she lived in Jonesboro, Georgia). IOW, their marriage was effectively over in 1987, many years before Newt even met Callista Bisek, so his "affair" with Callista couldn't possibly be the cause of the death of their marriage and the long divorce process before it became finalized (Marianne did keep his last name, Gingrich, even after the divorce). Yet through all these years Newt has supported his "sick wife" and put most of his earnings from the book sales and royalties into the bank accounts made in Marianne's name, which didn't serve him well during their eventual divorce; essentially, Newt and Callista had to start their marriage from scratch, financially. They have done very well financially for themselves since then, which, it appears, made ex-wife even more bitter and disgruntled, as you would have seen if you had read original Esquire article.
From "Newt Gingrich: The Indispensable Republican." - Esquire, by John H. Richardson, 2010 August 10
"Back in the 1990s, she [Marianne] told a reporter she could end her husband's career with a single interview."
In 1999, under relentless attacks from Democrats in Congress and liberals in the media, joined by his competitors, critics and detractors from the establishment wing of Republican party and some disenchanted conservative "radicals" (who assumed they had all the power after winning Congress, on the strength of Gingrich's Contract With America) Gingrich did not care to hold onto the personal power of leadership at any cost (unlike Nancy Pelosi, for example). He didn't consider himself "indispensable" in Congress (though 8 years of Speaker Dennis Hastert's leadership, even with the Republican President Bush produced less positive change than Gingrich accomplished in 4 years as Speaker). He did what adults do, what he thought was best for the party and party unity; he resigned from Congress, and finally had time to put his personal life in order - fast-tracked and finalized the divorce from Marianne, married Callista and moved with her to Virginia.
Newt has steadfastly refused to defend himself in his personal life, despite numerous opportunities to do so. Partly because he is a decent man and doesn't want to engage in [usually required] bitter exchanges of mutual accusations and trashing of his ex-wives, and partly because he may feel some responsibility for failed marriages (whether through his fault or not; it takes at least two people to maintain or wreck a marriage). He has apologized for his failed marriages, atoned and moved on with his personal life. He also became Catholic because it was his wife's life-long religion and it would be in the best interests of family harmony.
For more details, see:
Jackie Gingrich Cushman : Setting the Record Straight (about my dad's first marriage) - FR post #55, 2011 May 15
"Cain/Gingrich 2012"? - FR post #64, 2011 October 06
Whether we like Newt personally (smart, strong personalities are seldom liked by public, especially conservatives under attacks by rabid liberal media with "bones to pick") or politically, or as a preferred candidate, at least let's have the decency to stop perpetuating the misleading liberal "facts" and falsehoods about the man's personal life. He deserves better, and we can do and be better.
He has done more for conservatives and conservative movement, in or out of elective office, as a Speaker and since his voluntary "retirement," than anyone since Ronald Reagan:
Gingrich's Secret Weapon: Newt Inc. - FR, post #56, 2011 May 15 (excerpt)
Gingrich's Secret Weapon: Newt Inc. - WSJ, by Neil King Jr. and Patrick O'Connor, 2011 May 09
You ask him (Newt) if he feels vindicated by the Tea Parties, if he thinks that his third act has come around.No, he says. "I see myself as a citizen leader trying to understand three things:
• What the country has to do to be successful.
• How you would communicate that to the American people so they would let you do it.
• And then how you'd actually implement it if they gave you permission to do it."
You ask him (Newt) if he feels vindicated by the Tea Parties, if he thinks that his third act has come around.No, he says. "I see myself as a citizen leader trying to understand three things:
• What the country has to do to be successful.
• How you would communicate that to the American people so they would let you do it.
• And then how you'd actually implement it if they gave you permission to do it."