About the Gingrich and gay-marriage kerfuffle (video)
Here are some headlines on blogs and websites today concerning something Newt Gingrich said in Iowa:
- Newt Gingrich tells gay Iowa man Scott Arnold: You’re better off voting for Obama
- Newt Gingrich to gay Iowan: Vote for Obama
and the most to-the-slanted-point:
Now here is the exchange that prompted those headlines:
Transcript, for those who can’t or don’t want to watch the video:
Questioner: My question is, is how do you plan to engage with such a large community of people who, on this one specific issue, do not support you? [They] may agree with you on the other parts of what you stand for — but how do you plan to engage and get the vote of gay Americans and those who support them?
Gingrich: I think for those to whom the only issue that really matters is the definition of marriage, I won’t get their support. I accept that that’s a reality. On the other hand, for those to whom it’s not the central issue in their life, if they care about job creation, if they care about national security, if they care about a better future for the country at large, then I think I’ll get their support.
Questioner: So what if it is the biggest issue?
Gingrich: Then I won’t get their support.
Questioner: How do we engage if you’re elected? Then what, what does that mean?
Gingrich: Well then you engage in every topic except that.
Questioner: Except it’s most important (some crosstalk).
Gingrich: Well, if that’s most important to you then you should be for [Barack] Obama.
Questioner: I am, thank you.
Gingrich: It’s perfectly legitimate. I think that’s perfectly legitimate.
A couple of points:
First, “Gingrich doesn’t want the gay vote,” and variations thereof, are misleading. What Gingrich clearly said is that he doesn’t think he deserves or will get the vote of those Americans for whom gay marriage is the No. 1 issue in this election. This is news?
Second, it’s not entirely clear to me that there are as many people who fall into this group — i.e., gay marriage is their most important issue — as the questioner in the video lets on. Gallup polling over the past few months suggests less than 1 percent of respondents think “gay rights issues” — which presumably comprise more than just gay marriage — are atop the list of problems facing the country. Given that an estimated 3 percent to 4 percent of Americans self-identify as gay, you would think the issue would register on such a poll if a substantial proportion of this population felt it was the most important issue that made them single-issue voters, as opposed to an important issue they’ll weigh along with other important issues. As with other sub-populations, gay Americans are affected by most of the same problems as everyone else. (I acknowledge there may be a difference between “most important issue facing the country” and “most important issue to me,” but this was the best polling I could find on the topic. Feel free to share another poll result in the comments thread.)
What these reports do accomplish, however, is further branding one candidate — and, by obvious extension, his party — as being “anti” a whole group of Americans. And it’s done by some of the same people who will, within days if not hours, wring their hands about the polarization of Americans politics.
Sigh.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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246 comments Add your comment
Emma
December 21st, 2011
2:05 pm
Who gives a HOOT who is married to whom? I really could care less if Billy is married to Bobby, Jill is married to Joyce, or Matt is married to Mary…American? Love ya to death! I need to know how are we going to get this country back rockin’ and rollin’…AGAIN!!!!! Today I got gas for $2.99/gal! I feel it comin’ but doggone we complain toooooo much! Goodness!!!!!! And BTW marijuana has GOT to become legal!!!!!!
td
December 21st, 2011
2:06 pm
Mark
December 21st, 2011
2:03 pm
@ td..
NO NAME CALLING BECAUSE YOU ARE A JACKASS!
Crying like a lib:-( Can I send you some cheese while you whine some more?
Emma
December 21st, 2011
2:07 pm
@td Alex…I’ll take Troll Deluxe for $200
gm
December 21st, 2011
2:09 pm
2012
We can not help it Sonny Perdue took all the money from stimuls package sent to Georgia for his private use, so now you blame the President for your stupid choices voting rep in your state.
I rather have Obama brotherhood who has family values and morles then a fake christians like Newt who had 3 wifes and mistress, he does christians really proud.
phillistine comeback
December 21st, 2011
2:09 pm
I think parsing this video is impossible. Newt just blew it. (wait, that came out wrong)
Lynn
December 21st, 2011
2:13 pm
ideasbm – Really I didnt say anything about anyone taking credit for Welfare ending which it never did. If you can read I said it was started during World War II. And Welfare never ended! Your the one who doesnt need to vote because you cant comprehend a basic statement. My points were geared towards the idiot who wrote vote for Obama for the following reasons! Newt is a ethic violator( many times over, racist( 80’s -2011 comments) and a liar ( He doesnt know how to research facts if you put them in front of him).
So I hope you have fun voting for him!
HDB
December 21st, 2011
2:16 pm
The persistent balkinzation of the nation by the GOP speaks volumes…..and Newt is further evidence of this!
Republicans called for the assassination of the President and using racial epithets…..
Republicans passing legislation that discriminate against Hispanics……..
Republicans passing legislation that deny gay people their 14th Amendment rights…….
Republicans calling for a “purity test”……..
The cacaphony is deafening!!!
Devil's Advocate
December 21st, 2011
2:16 pm
I’m still mad that BHO invented the IRS and welfare programs. We were all worth millions of dollars before he took office. Newt 2012!
Jefferson
December 21st, 2011
2:20 pm
Newt is not a very good man.
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 21st, 2011
2:21 pm
td
December 21st, 2011
2:04 pm
The Anti-Wooten
December 21st, 2011
1:32 pm
What does td stand for? Troll Deluxe? Terminally Dimwitted? Tactlessly Delusional?
Touch down!!!! because every time I post something to make you libs drool like Barney Frank when he gets angry it is just like the feeling I get when my DAWGS score a touch down!!!!!!!!
I knew UGA 1999 was your alt account
Lynn
December 21st, 2011
2:21 pm
One thing I never understood about the GOP is the following: If you are against big government in our lives – How they hell are you against Abortion, Gay Rights or anything else?
Someone please explain. Does it mean more relgion and less government?
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 21st, 2011
2:22 pm
td
December 21st, 2011
2:06 pm
Crying like a lib:-( Can I send you some cheese while you whine some more?
^^^ LOL KING OF COMEDY RIGHT HERE, YALL ^^^
Dusty
December 21st, 2011
2:23 pm
I don’t think one’s political decisions should be based on personal sex life. Evidently Gingrich does not think so either. He gave the man an honest answer.
So what’s wrong with honesty? It does keep one from flipflopping to please all.
Your vote at the ballot box is all yours. No discrimination there. I shall vote for the honest man.
Newtopic
December 21st, 2011
2:23 pm
The issue of gay marriage IS very important to lots of people just like the man said — for and against.
If it wasn’t George Bush wouldn’t have been elected in 2004 to outlaw gay marriage.
And Gingrich and his nasty comrades wouldn’t have been elected in the 1990s to squash gay marriage, either.
Blacks and gays are often the same people, especially in Atlanta.
Anyone who says “gays choose to be what they are and blacks don’t” is a divider and should be shouted back down to their racist little corner to have their racist shackles put back on. There’s no such thing as blacks or Biblical “tribes” made up of different “races.” If you think there is you are an idiot who indeed feels that one group of the human species is better than another. Wrong.
JDW
December 21st, 2011
2:24 pm
“Newt is not a very good man.”
That in a nutshell is the whole issue!
Odis
December 21st, 2011
2:25 pm
Why can’t we just let consenting adulting live their life in peace, regardless of sexual orientation and religion?
OBAMA ‘12
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 21st, 2011
2:26 pm
Lynn
December 21st, 2011
2:21 pm
One thing I never understood about the GOP is the following: If you are against big government in our lives – How they hell are you against Abortion, Gay Rights or anything else?
Someone please explain. Does it mean more relgion and less government?
Because there’s no such thing as a real conservative, both for voters and politicians. The GOP has no problem with big government interference with abortion and marriage. Everyone’s a liberal, just for different things.
This whole right versus left thing is purely about sex–conservatives can’t stand the thought of happy people have guilt- and consequence-free sex.
JDW
December 21st, 2011
2:28 pm
@Dusty…”So what’s wrong with honesty? It does keep one from flipflopping to please all.”
Hasn’t helped The Newtster…see Cap and Trade, Individual Mandate, Libya, Court Trial for Terrorists, Climate Change, Ryan’s Budget….
Jimmy62
December 21st, 2011
2:33 pm
Newt’s right in that if you care about a single issue so much that nothing else matters, then why would you vote for the guy who has an opinion different than you on that single issue.
Of course single issue voters, whether it’s for abortion or gay marriage, are going down a pretty dumb road. It ends with the right to marry someone of the same sex and virtually no other rights. Politicians will be able to do whatever they want, as long as they ban abortions!
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 21st, 2011
2:33 pm
Odis
December 21st, 2011
2:25 pm
Why can’t we just let consenting adulting live their life in peace, regardless of sexual orientation and religion?
OBAMA ‘12
Reminder that Obama hasn’t done anything significant for the gay community… remember when he opposed repealing DADT before he supported its repeal? Aside from that, he’s done absolutely nothing.
It’s not the biggest issue for him or most people right now, but it’s important to remember he’s not the friend of the gay community many people make him out to be.
carlosgvv
December 21st, 2011
2:33 pm
Kyle “then you should be for Obama” pretty much says it all. Saying that clearly shows he doesn’t even want the gay vote. So, branding him “anti” is the correct thing to do and, that does NOT mean it’s wrong to also complain about the polarization of American politics.
waterstim
December 21st, 2011
2:34 pm
If you a person who puts your deviant sexual behavior over all other issues in this country, then Barry Obama is your man!
Jimmy62
December 21st, 2011
2:37 pm
Fresh Prince of Belfast: And not all conservatives agree with that stuff. I don’t. But I do believe strongly in western-judeo-christian values, limited government, and the freedom to choose your own life. And I see the left as far more hostile to those ideas both in rhetoric and action than most of the right. I’m also perfectly happy teaming with people with whom I agree on some issues and not on others. I’m not intolerant of people with different beliefs than I have, nor do I discriminate against them. I had this awesome conversation with a girl, set up a date, only to have her cancel it when she found out I consider myself a right leaning libertarian. That is the definition of bigotry, yet she sees herself as part of the “tolerant” left. What a joke!
phillistine comeback
December 21st, 2011
2:40 pm
The deviant sexual behavior is in the glands of the beholder.
Dusty
December 21st, 2011
2:45 pm
Lynn,
I will try to give you answer.
On abortion: Christian Republicans may believe that saving the life of a child is the only consideration. Even prenatal time is considered the life of a child. Other Christians may believe that other considerations may take place such as the life of the mother.
On gay rights: many Christian Republicans are for the rights of gay people because they believe that every human is a child of God. The love of God includes all. Some believers refer to admonitions in the Old Testament against living a gay life. Any prejudice against gays was erased when Christ came as a savior of all.
There are no 100% Christians/Republicans in any category. The Christian Republicans and Democrats believe in doing what they think is the “right” thing to do.
Fortunately, we are in a country that allows us to think and act on our own lawful prerogative.
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 21st, 2011
2:49 pm
waterstim
December 21st, 2011
2:34 pm
If you a person who puts your deviant sexual behavior over all other issues in this country, then Barry Obama is your man!
Link
Report this comment
Jimmy62
December 21st, 2011
2:37 pm
…But I do believe strongly in western-judeo-christian values…
“Well you see, Jesus gave very detailed instructions as to which derelict Jewish customs to keep and which to get rid of and they just happen to correspond exactly with the cultural values of 21st century rural America”
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 21st, 2011
2:52 pm
Jimmy62
December 21st, 2011
2:37 pm
I had this awesome conversation with a girl, set up a date, only to have her cancel it when she found out I consider myself a right leaning libertarian. That is the definition of bigotry, yet she sees herself as part of the “tolerant” left.
Well, I understand it stinks but that’s not really bigotry.
Dusty
December 21st, 2011
2:53 pm
JDW @ 2:28
I cannot answer you on all the decisions made by Gingrich. Perhaps he found new information and changed his mind. That is a little different from flipflopping to please.
If you have never changed your mind on any issue, you may not understand.
Jimmy62
December 21st, 2011
2:53 pm
Fresh Prinece: Discriminating against others based on their differing beliefs is the very definition of bigotry. Read a dictionary.
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 21st, 2011
2:54 pm
phillistine comeback
December 21st, 2011
2:40 pm
The deviant sexual behavior is in the glands of the beholder.
username + post combo = lmao
nick black
December 21st, 2011
2:56 pm
this column might be the best thing i’ve read in the ajc in years, especially that last paragraph. well done, sir.
nelson
December 21st, 2011
2:56 pm
Once you say gay the politician is in a no win situation. A politico re cdeives a letter fro a gay alliance with $10,000 in it. If he sends it back he is against gays, if he cashes it he is for gays and if he just leaves it sitting on the desk he is a do nOTHING POLITICIAN. The GAYs have the upper hand….period.
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 21st, 2011
2:57 pm
Jimmy62
December 21st, 2011
2:53 pm
Fresh Prinece: Discriminating against others based on their differing beliefs is the very definition of bigotry. Read a dictionary.
Latent victim complex ftw! Yes good sir, disliking someone for their political opinion is totally equivocal to discriminating based on race or gender or sexual orientation!
Priorities… some people have ‘em, some don’t.
Ms Dazy
December 21st, 2011
3:03 pm
Hank , I am not a supporter of Gays but I do respect everones rights to do or be whatever theyh want. You are the only post on here that does not sound stupid. I admire what you said about being gay and still choosing to vote for Newt.
Some of the other post on here sounds like 5th graders on a play ground.
First off Obama has had almost 3 years to change things and he has done nothing but make it worse. I am a black woman and was hoping this would be a first black president we could be proud of and I am here to say I am ashamed that he has made us look like we are not worthy of running this county.
I will be voting for a white man this time around until I feel that we have someone that can make us proud. I have so many friends that are out of a job and can not find one for the fist time in their lives. First off why do all black people think support him because he is black…ok brothers and sisters he is half and half . He had a white mother and black father…..
Lynn
December 21st, 2011
3:03 pm
Thanks Dusty and Belfast for trying to explain the answer. I still think if you are for limited government as all Candidates on the GOP side have said this year. Then that also means stay out of my private stuff!!
Reverie
December 21st, 2011
3:04 pm
If you are too stupid to understand simple math – Obama is your man.
If you are too stupid to give your children a useful moral code – Vote Obama.
If you are offended by the notion that we have a responsibility to save children in the womb – Vote Obama.
If your vision of tomorrow’s United States looks remarkably like today’s Greece – Vote Obama
If you are so selfish you believe it is proper for you to take my money to pay for your healthcare – Vote Obama.
If you are so ignorant believe we can spend ourselves out of a recession – Vote Obama.
If you care about the United States, your children, their children, the world and the future. Vote for anyone BUT Obama. He really doesn’t care about any of those things. As an employer your support for the anti-business, anti-success, anti-progress politics of the American left, you are the first fired. If this makes you mad, you will be first.
Bill
December 21st, 2011
3:04 pm
Jimmy: So if I don’t want to date someone with different beliefs than mine, I’m a bigot? I’m a “pro-life” or “pro-choice” person, with strong beliefs on the subject. I’m to be admonished for not dating someone who’s views I find repugnant???? Weird.
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 21st, 2011
3:06 pm
Reverie
December 21st, 2011
3:04 pm
If you are too stupid to understand simple math – Obama is your man.
If you are too stupid to give your children a useful moral code – Vote Obama.
If you are offended by the notion that we have a responsibility to save children in the womb – Vote Obama.
If your vision of tomorrow’s United States looks remarkably like today’s Greece – Vote Obama
If you are so selfish you believe it is proper for you to take my money to pay for your healthcare – Vote Obama.
If you are so ignorant believe we can spend ourselves out of a recession – Vote Obama.
If you care about the United States, your children, their children, the world and the future. Vote for anyone BUT Obama. He really doesn’t care about any of those things. As an employer your support for the anti-business, anti-success, anti-progress politics of the American left, you are the first fired. If this makes you mad, you will be first.
If you hate worn-out talking points spouted from boring reactionaries…
quick work break
December 21st, 2011
3:06 pm
Uh, Ms Dazy: No real black person would use that name, so…comment dismissed.
Aquagirl
December 21st, 2011
3:07 pm
I knew UGA 1999 was your alt account
UGA ‘99 seems more compulsive about posting though….maybe td minus his daily meds = UGA 1999.
Lynn
December 21st, 2011
3:07 pm
Ms Dazy how exactly has Obama made it worse? Was it making us safer by killing Osama or the 22 other operatives. Or the 22.5 million people who now have access to affordable healthcare or must have been the signing of the equal pay act for women, I can go on and on. Also it doesnt matter at the leadership level whether someone is white or black. There is only one color at that level- Its Green ( Money) . Please let me know. And by the way a President is a figure head- the senate and congress run and ruin this country.
mehlman rings twice
December 21st, 2011
3:07 pm
I see where the failed marriages of Kim Kardashian and Kobe Bryant are the result of allowing gays to marry.
Bill
December 21st, 2011
3:08 pm
I’m a hetro, and it’s sad, from so many of the comments above, to be living my life in my native, redneck State. (No, I can’t, practically, move). Nobody chooses to be gay. Gay is not a choice any more than being a heterosexual is a choice–unless you want to be Pope.
waterstim
December 21st, 2011
3:11 pm
That’s it. Call me homophobe or report me or do anything you want for pointing out that you put your sick sexuality above every other issue in this country, which is exactly what this guy said he did. When you meet your maker, and everyone on this board one day will, tell Him.
Oh, but the homosexual act is not a sin, is it? Before long, Jerry Sandusky won’t be a sin to you either. Have a great day!
Taft Punk
December 21st, 2011
3:15 pm
Ms Dazy
December 21st, 2011
3:03 pm
Some of the other post on here sounds like 5th graders on a play ground.
First off Obama has had almost 3 years to change things and he has done nothing but make it worse. I am a black woman and was hoping this would be a first black president we could be proud of and I am here to say I am ashamed that he has made us look like we are not worthy of running this county.
I will be voting for a white man this time around until I feel that we have someone that can make us proud. I have so many friends that are out of a job and can not find one for the fist time in their lives. First off why do all black people think support him because he is black…ok brothers and sisters he is half and half . He had a white mother and black father…..
It’s so obvious you’re a white guy.
Lynn
December 21st, 2011
3:15 pm
These are the kind of issues that keep everyone side tracked from the real one!!! Where is the tax cut and where are the jobs. Congress needs to get the stick out of their a*&&!!
Bill
December 21st, 2011
3:15 pm
Fresh Prince: If you want family values-vote for Newt–he likes as many families as possible.
Yes, 8 years of Rep. Presidential leadership was great for the country and middle class wasn’t it–750,000 jobs lost per month, 11% drop in GDP, economic collapse–yes, vote for them–they are the ones crying about the relatively weak financial regulation Act-wanting to eliminate it. After all, we know that the large financial institutions look out for all of us and can do no wrong. And they are the job creators?
It’s pathetic that some folks disagreement with Obama over policies (policies that generally about 1/2 the population agrees with) leads them to call Obama immoral, unethical. On what basis? He’s had one happy marriage and good kids. What’s he done unethical?
JDW
December 21st, 2011
3:17 pm
@Dusty…”If you have never changed your mind on any issue, you may not understand.”
The Republicans would do well to remember that and stop creating turmoil as an election strategy.
Actually I have, I stopped voting Republican after Clinton proved the error of their theories.
As for Newt’s flip flopping I believe he like Mittens changes his tune at will based on the perception of what plays well today.
Bill
December 21st, 2011
3:18 pm
Taft punk–right–things today are much worse than when Obama came in–no longer losing 750,000 jobs per month; positive GDP growth versus negative 11 percent; no longer 160,000 or so troops in Iraq; no longer have Osama in the World . . .
Cyril
December 21st, 2011
3:20 pm
Is anyone else yawning at Wingfield’s blog post today? Seriously, this is the best you can do? You pull up examples of this farce of a news story based on the Huffington Post and Instinct Magazine (which is a gay monthly magazine), and you sell this as a news story trying to show the slant of liberal media? No crap Sherlock. You go to liberal leaning websites and pull articles from them, guess what you get…liberal titles and articles. I’m sure I could do the same in 5 minutes or less by going to Fox News.
Typically, I actually enjoy reading a lot of your articles, but this one is down right poor journalism. Hopefully, I’m not the first one to call you one this today.