Newt Gingrich plays the race card
WASHINGTON — I didn’t think it was possible, but Newt Gingrich has disappointed me. He has managed to be more cynical and more incendiary, more irresponsible and even less honorable than I had imagined him to be.
And my imagination gave him plenty of credit for pettiness, indiscipline, deceit and an overweening arrogance. I knew him to be capable of stunning chutzpah and cheap sensationalism. I’ve seen his over-the-top attacks on rivals, his situational ethics and his disregard for commonplace proprieties.
Still, I believed Gingrich had a healthy respect for the nation’s growing commitment to racial equality and a historian’s understanding of the fragility of that commitment. I thought he regarded the advances brought about by the civil rights movement as a significant contribution to national greatness, a way of advancing our claim to American exceptionalism.
But last week, at the annual convention of the Georgia Republican Party, he played an ugly race card, stooping to suggest a reprise of the old poll test for voting — a tactic once used by white racists to restrict the franchise. He said, “But maybe we should also have a voting standard that says to vote, as a native-born American, you should have to learn American history. You realize how many of our high school graduates, because of the decay of the educational system, couldn’t pass a citizenship test?”
With that, Gingrich dived head-first into the slimy trough of the Southern strategy, wallowing in a tactic that seeks to stoke the fears and misapprehensions of whites still uncomfortable with black advancement. He hugged tightly one of the GOP’s most repugnant campaign ploys: voter suppression.
Many Gingrich critics would argue that there is nothing new about his use of racially-coded rhetoric and not-so-subtle nods to the prejudices of ultra-conservative whites. They point to his attacks on welfare during the ‘90s, when he co-authored the Contract with America, which called for slashing benefits to poor, single mothers. (In his Georgia speech, Gingrich also called President Barack Obama “the most successful food stamp president in American history.”)
I remember that period, too, but I didn’t view Gingrich’s enthusiasm for curbing welfare as prima facie evidence of racially-tinged politics. After all, conservative Republicans have always been skeptical of the social safety net.
During that same era, Gingrich worked to save the Republican Party from its growing reputation as the last resort of mossbacks and racists. He foiled a GOP effort to launch a full-scale assault on affirmative action. In 1996, he said that the Republican Party should spend “four times as much effort reaching out to the black community to ensure that they know they will not be discriminated against, as compared to the amount of effort we’ve put into saying we’re against quotas and set-asides.”
But that was a Gingrich who was in a position of power as Speaker of the House. He was getting plenty of press. He could afford to be temperate.
Lately, as he flirted with a presidential bid, he’s been tempted to criticisms of President Obama that range far beyond standard conservative fare. Last year, he endorsed a view of Obama’s politics as “Kenyan” and “anti-colonial,” a statement that was as ridiculous as it was racist.
But even that didn’t go to the core of one of the country’s greatest historical failings: disenfranchisement of black voters. For decades after the passage of the 15th Amendment, Southern states did everything they could — violence, intimidation, ridiculous “tests” — to keep black citizens from exercising their right to vote. As recently as the 1960s, the black franchise was largely restricted in the South.
And Gingrich, who likes to brandish his academic credentials, knows that. It’s shameful to hear him suggest that voting should be restricted on the basis of a test.
Given his considerable baggage, it’s unlikely Gingrich can claim the GOP nomination for the presidency. He should have had the grace to try to go out with the better part of his legacy intact.
— — Cynthia Tucker
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456 comments Add your comment
Reio
May 18th, 2011
1:56 pm
WOODSTOCK MIKE,
Just Look At History. There Has Never Been A Southern Stinkin Hillbilly To Get The Republican Nomination For President. NEVER. Or Vice President For That Matter Either. It’s True. What’s The Problem? They Want And Get Your Votes, Other Than That, You Can All Go To Hell.
WOODSTOCK MIKE
May 18th, 2011
1:58 pm
There is racism seen from every race. There are white racists, black racists, hispanic racists, etc….
If you think racism is from only one race you’re a fool…
This is true in all countries.
And for all the America haters out there, tell me another country that elected a minority president? If there are any it’s a short list….
Give America some credit and quit whining about racism….
Reio
May 18th, 2011
2:02 pm
WOODSTOCK MIKE,
What Party Am I Representing? And I Suspect That This “monority president” Was Elected Without Your Vote. Don’t Try And Take Credit For It.
WOODSTOCK MIKE
May 18th, 2011
2:02 pm
@Reio
Your comments are completely backwards from Democratic philosophy? Once again, you are a sad reflection of the Democratic party…
Being anything but you is the way to go….
WOODSTOCK MIKE
May 18th, 2011
2:05 pm
@Reio
And I assume you don’t think George Bush (either of them) are considered southern??
You are a moron.
Irwin M. Fletcher
May 18th, 2011
2:05 pm
I had a black guy call me “cotton” the other day, and not too long ago, I had black lady call me a “cracker”.
Can I have an editorial now too?
Reio
May 18th, 2011
2:06 pm
WOODSTOCK MIKE,
In Your Opinion, When Will A Southerner Get The Republican Nomination For President?
Contractor
May 18th, 2011
2:06 pm
Tucker,
Who’s fault is it if blacks are dropping out and failing out at alarming rates? It’s THEIR fault. No where in your piece did I see where he spoke about blacks, whites, Mexicans, Chinese, Japanese, etc. He simply said that most citizens couldn’t pass a citizenship test due to the decay of the education system, AND I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE. There are a ton of idiots out there that have no intelligence when it comes to this country, yet they blab off at the mouth like they actually know what they are whining for. Uneducated voters should not have the opportunity to vote. There should simply be a small series of questions you have to answer to vote, because America shouldn’t be in the hands of the uneducated. I would think that the people that voted in Alvin Green as the Democratic candidate for Senator in South Carolina were uneducated, because you can tell that the guy had no business even voting himself, much less a candidate on the docket. It doesn’t surprise me that you bring up the race card since you fall along the lines of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton yourself, which is horrible company to be considered with, but yet you try and offload your pile of manure on the American public whenever you can.
Dr J
May 18th, 2011
2:07 pm
Gingrich played the race card? And Obama, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Jeremiah Wright, Charles Rangel, Maxine Waters, Carol Braun, John Lewis, Barbara Lee, and Cynthia Tucker haven’t?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
WOODSTOCK MIKE
May 18th, 2011
2:07 pm
@Reio
And I guess you don’t think Arkansas is southern either? Do you even know who came from there? Doubtful…
Reio
May 18th, 2011
2:07 pm
You’re The Moron. They Are From The NORTHEASTEN United States. And Yale
Graduates As Well. They Don’t Qualify.
alexander
May 18th, 2011
2:08 pm
Swanzie: congratulations on the athletic accomplishments… Let me say, That the single BEST thing that could happen for people of any race in this country is to get an education. To argue otherwise IS morontic and pathetic. The unemployment rate of uneducated whites OR blacks is horrendous(up to 70%):we ALL suffer from crime,etc.with higher unemployment . As for Clarence Thomas please explain the analogy to enlighten me. Thanks.
Kamchak
May 18th, 2011
2:10 pm
I had a black guy call me “cotton” the other day, and not too long ago, I had black lady call me a “cracker”.
Can I have an editorial now too?
Blogspot.com is ready when you are.
Reio
May 18th, 2011
2:10 pm
Enter your comments here
avenger
May 18th, 2011
2:10 pm
spinning. “Whites elected a black guy president, that should count for something.” As the old guy says “what this we sh##”. Young whites ,hispanics, and blacks elected Obama. Blacks have voted for 40 plus white guys. By the way, your moniker is dead on.
Reio
May 18th, 2011
2:11 pm
WOODSTOCK MIKE,
What Republican Is From There?
WOODSTOCK MIKE
May 18th, 2011
2:11 pm
@Reio
Conversation over, you just said that George Bush is from the Northeast…. You don’t deserve to vote but luckily in America they even give someone like you that right.
Kamchak
May 18th, 2011
2:11 pm
Sweet, I’m feeling unduly burdened by my ethnicity!
I’m sure you’ll get over it.
Irwin M. Fletcher
May 18th, 2011
2:12 pm
Kamchak – “Blogspot.com is ready when you are.”
Sweet, I’m feeling unduly burdened by my ethnicity!
What?!?!
May 18th, 2011
2:13 pm
I don’t know what’s worse. This article or the fact that you get paid to write this nonsense.
I wouldn’t vote for Newt Gingrich almost any under circumstance and I’m definitely not a fan, but to label him a racist because he thinks the status quo for voting needs to be raised? That’s silly. You’re also demeaning minorities (who you cite as those being oppressed under his idea) because you imply they are essentially “too dumb” to meet the potential qualifications.
Reio
May 18th, 2011
2:13 pm
WOODSTOCK MIKE,
Geroge Jr, Sr, And Prescott Bush All Come From Connecticutt, Maine, Rhode Island, Not Texas. Geroge Sr. Moved There To Take A Job In Yhe Oil Business.
Kamchak
May 18th, 2011
2:15 pm
Oooh, look at that.
I can respond to a post before it’s posted.
I can bend the space/time continuum.
TnGelding
May 18th, 2011
2:17 pm
Good grief, Cynthia. You’ve totally lost it! Newt has many flaws, but coded racism? You were born black. Get over it. You’re an accomplished, well-respected woman, period!
granny godzilla
May 18th, 2011
2:19 pm
And for all the America haters out there, tell me another country that elected a minority president?
England – Maggie Thatcher (female), Benjamin Disraeli (Jewish), Gordon Brown (Scottish)
Peru – Alberto Fujimora
Mexico – Benito Juarez, Victoriano Huerta
Canada – Trudeau, Chretien
Pakistan – Bhutto
New Zealand – Helen Clark
Philipines – Aquino
India – Golda Meir
Argentina – Eva Peron
To name a few…..
jconservative
May 18th, 2011
2:19 pm
I went down to the local courthouse (north Georgia) to register to vote in the summer of 1960. Part of the voter registration process was passing a test on the constitution. The registrar asked me a few questions, marked my answers correct and then registered me to vote. The only problem was that I did not answer any questions. She marked them correct before I said a word. I was a white kid.
Now I could have answered them correctly, but she was doing her job as she saw it.
Times change.
Gm
May 18th, 2011
2:20 pm
Dr J
Hannity, Sara, Rush, Beck, the whole fox team.
The difference with people you named are out there in the streets fighting for equality, your bigots expolit poor middle class Americans who think by agreeing with rich conservativies the millions they make will come down to the middle class.
Reio
May 18th, 2011
2:23 pm
Gm,
Say It Loud!
WhiteTruth
May 18th, 2011
2:26 pm
Black women are under constant threat from their own race of men. They are beaten at 7 times the rate of white women, and Femicide is one of the top killers of young black women in the US. Wouldnt your energy be better served by protecting and warning your own race of women, than bashing some old white dude? Just like the NAACP, you should concentrate on fixing our own communities problems instead of ignoring the facts and trying to fix everyone elses. But no.. the NAACP would rather spend all their $$ on court cases challenging some flag, than helping their own people go to college. Or putting up billboards warning their women about the AIDS crisis in the black community.
JT$
May 18th, 2011
2:26 pm
“You realize how many of our high school graduates, because of the decay of the educational system, couldn’t pass a citizenship test?”
I don’t agree with your statement quoted above any more than I agree with Newt’s. Quit blaming the system. It’s the failure of the home and often the culture. One must seize the opportunities handed to them, not sit back and wait to get it crammed down one’s throat then blame others when it isn’t.
Education, just like life…be a participant or watch it pass you by. America, especially Black America, must choose to participate. I did!
Reio
May 18th, 2011
2:28 pm
WhiteTruth,
Why Don’t You Do Some Of The Things You’re Trying Them To Do? Since You’re So Concerned. Or, Are You?
jm
May 18th, 2011
2:29 pm
liberals, busy peddling their failed notions wherever they can….
Nan Roberts
May 18th, 2011
2:30 pm
AJC proves again that their paper is completely worthless allowing a RACIST columnist to publish this trash. She starts off insulting everything about the man and rapidly dives into a racism claim. Even if you are not a Gingrich supporter (which I am not), this type of journalistic trash should be stopped. Who’s fanning the flames CT?
jm
May 18th, 2011
2:30 pm
This column by Tucker is so much BS as to be laughable. Tucker you really are a joke.
Hyun
May 18th, 2011
2:30 pm
A History test plus an IQ test would work for me. Also, if you are a member of the entitlement class (welfare, medicaid, medicare, etal) you don’t get a vote. Dead people and illegal aleins should not be allowed to vote either. On a final note, lets add folks that play the race card and can’t back up their claims.
That should pretty much shut down the entire Democratic Party.
Jeopardy
May 18th, 2011
2:31 pm
Hannity, Sara, Rush, Beck, the whole fox team?
Answer: People the Democratic party are obsessed with
Thrash
May 18th, 2011
2:31 pm
A better voting system would be that if you actually paid more taxes than your withholding, you get to vote. A refund? Sit on your hands.
marc
May 18th, 2011
2:32 pm
Newt recently stood in front of a big Texas church and said Islamic Radicals could take over America..he rings whatever bell is in front of him at the time……that it only took him 1 week to blow up is more than funny.
Bottom line..Newt is positioning himself for a job at Fox News…….Obama makes these guys and the rest of the Republican Klan….look like children. It is just 2 funny.
david baker
May 18th, 2011
2:33 pm
Cynthia,
So the Obama administration never pulls the race card……………like every day?
Pablo
May 18th, 2011
2:34 pm
Cynthia:
Where, pray tell, is the racism in Newt Gingrich’s remark?
Reio
May 18th, 2011
2:34 pm
Hyun,
In Your Opinion, Why Has There Never Been A Southerner To Get The Republican Nomination For Pres Or Vice Pres? The Bush’s Are From Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticutt.. Not Texas.
marc is a racist ...
May 18th, 2011
2:34 pm
“Republican Klan”
Truth detector
May 18th, 2011
2:36 pm
If you do not pay federal income tax or are proven incompetent by a standardize IQ test you should not be allowed to vote, period. And if that just happens to weed out 90% of blacks and hispanics then oh well.
Get a job so you can contribute and an education. Entitlements are one of the most destructive aspects of Socialism.
Chaps
May 18th, 2011
2:36 pm
Lord, this is just too funny. Cynthia Tucker calling someone racist. Can’t stop laughing. No sense pointing out her hyocisy to her though. Liberals are impervious to facts and have no sense of shame at all.
Reio
May 18th, 2011
2:38 pm
Republican Hillbillies Don’t Get Their Parties Nomination For Pres. Why?
Dems founded and created the KKK
May 18th, 2011
2:38 pm
Sorry Marc, your fingerprints are all over the Klan. Your boy Robert Byrd was a Grand Wizard for crying out loud.
Btw genius, Newt had a job at FOX and left on his own. Typical ignorant kook.
Kamchak
May 18th, 2011
2:39 pm
Tucker you really are a joke.
And you remain a still-wet-behind-the-ears naif.
Come back when you graduate to pull-ups.
Editor
May 18th, 2011
2:40 pm
“The difference with people you named are out there in the streets fighting for equality”
Democrats are out in thre in the streets fighting (lying) for votes.
alexander
May 18th, 2011
2:41 pm
Gm/reo?Dr. J ok we get it there are racists on both sides of the isle ;how does that exactly relate to the “accuracy” of this article or to specifically the purported racism of gingrich’s comments.Generalizations are for ignorant people, do better…
Reio
May 18th, 2011
2:41 pm
alexander,
I never said he was racist. In my opinion, he is making his mama proud. He is what he was raised to be. Whatever that is.
granny godzilla
May 18th, 2011
2:41 pm
Hi Kammy!