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
Bill Orvis White
December 22nd, 2011
7:40 am
The honorable Speaker Gingrich loves the gays, but he simply doesn’t endorse their lifestyle. This does not make him a hater or a mean man. It doesn’t get any more honest than that with him knowing that the gays will not support him, pure and simple. This isn’t news, but it’s the combination of the far left-wing liberal media along with their friends like Nanny Pelosi and Bawney Frank that make this a big deal.
Merry Christmas and Amen,
Bill
Willis
December 22nd, 2011
8:02 am
Nothing new here – the GOP is always against gays, Muslims, illegal immigrants, “welfare queens,” the unemployed, and old people – that’s the way they are.
Mark
December 22nd, 2011
8:16 am
@ Bill Orvis White
December 22nd, 2011
7:40 am
Yeah and let’s not forget how snug and chummy The Grinch and Pelosi were in that add about the fight for Global Warming that also filled his fat pockets.
Chip
December 22nd, 2011
8:25 am
Here’s yet another example of liberal hypocrisy… all these comments about Gingrich and the political Right “hating” this or that group… when the worst, most verbally viscious and physically violent hatred in this country comes from the Left.
As a moderate conservative, I don’t “hate” anyone… yet every day I am at risk of the following:
–violent verbal confrontation
–abusive, insulting language
–public defamation
–loss of my job
–cyberstalking
–terroristic harrassment at my home of place of work
–civil action
–threatrs and intimidation
–accusations/convictions for “hate speech”
–violent physical assault
… all from various factions of the Left, if I commit the imaginary crime of disagreeing with a Liberal.
All Gingrich did was tell a member of a teeny, tiny minority that, if that person felt so strongly abuot a single issue then he should follow his conscience and vote for the other guy. Has anyone on the Left done that lately? We all know what happened to Joe the Plumber… while minding his own business one day, candidate Obama approached him and asked for an opinion. Joe gave it, and his life was turned upside down by media trash digging for dirt to slander him and prop up Obama, and all kinds of Lefty kook and wierdos came out of the woodwork to attack Joe.
There’s plenty of hate in this country, and it’s spewing from the vile mouths and degenerate minds of Liberals.
Observer
December 22nd, 2011
8:26 am
I don’t usually get involved in politics but after 4 years of hoping that Obama and the Democrats could fix the economic problems that the last Republican President ( Bush) and the Democratic Senate and Democratic House created (The Great Recession 2007-2011), I have totally changed my mind. I don’t think 4 more years of the same will do any more than provide time for the current Administration to “try this” and “try that? ENOUGH of the American people being experimental mice.
This new payroll tax-FICA Fiasco-Warren Buffet Rule-whatever you want to call it is VERY dangerous and needs to be thought through very thoroughly.
I don’t have a problem with creating a new tax to pass on to the 500 CEOs in the Fortune 500 that currently earn 3 to 5 million dollars a year. However, what I see the Republican House struggling with is just how this will ALSO affect the “entrepreneurial class” (20 million small businesses in America that employ 60 million-600 million workers nationwide. To me, this is the class that made America the most prosperous county in the history of mankind. I shudder to think what the payroll tax will tell them. worked 70-80 hour weeks to get ahead and provide a better life for their families. Work 80 hours a week for five-ten years for your family so you can give your profits to strangers who don’t?
What happens if this new payroll tax goes through and the Federal Government takes another 20% from this class? More if you factor in Health Care and a few other reforms they have already been forced to pay for?
It appears to me that the Democrats in Washington are scrambling to save their jobs while the Republicans are scrambling to save America.
In 2008 this southern Democrat voted to give Obama a chance. In 2012 I’m voting for Newt Gingrich (Republican). I only wish Zell Miller (Democrat) would be his running mate.
td
December 22nd, 2011
8:37 am
Chip
December 22nd, 2011
8:25 am
Amen Chip!!! One only needs to read these blogs on a daily basis to see the vile and vitriol of the far left.
roughrider
December 22nd, 2011
8:45 am
Who cares about the gays?
DavidEm
December 22nd, 2011
9:11 am
“What these reports do accomplish, however, is further branding one candidate—and, by obvious extension, his whole party—as being ‘anti’ a whole group of Americans.”
In case you haven’t noticed, you’ve done that to yourselves. Ever since the 2000 election, whenever you wanted to be sure of a good voter turnout, you just fired up the demonization of gay people and put out yet another ballot measure to make gay marriage, which was already illegal, what? Double-plus illegal?
Republicans can be persuaded to follow the most illogical courses imaginable, just by having their candidates play on their fears. (Just read the posts on here!) Gay marriage IS the conservative option, if you’re gay, and it will only contribute to the stability of our society. But the demagogues of the right have somehow convinced their followers that the marriage of the gay couple down the street will somehow THREATEN them.
Just Saying..
December 22nd, 2011
9:12 am
Kyle, I think the effect of a Gingrich nomination to the Republican Party’s future represents a lot more to “sigh” about than the pandemic media headlines/teases deliberately calculated to attract one more eyeball, one more mouse click. This the first time you’ve noticed? Or the first time you’ve felt injured?
HadIt
December 22nd, 2011
9:22 am
Chip
I had a cousin who died of AIDS. He lived in New Orleans. In 1988 he and others staged a peaceful, orderly demonstration at the Republican national convention in support of more AIDS funding. They were surrounded by a mob of Young Republicans (all good Christians, no doubt) who spit on them and chanted, “You deserve to die, You deserve to die”
Don’t talk to me about intimidation from the left against the poor pitiful right.
Real Athens
December 22nd, 2011
10:23 am
TD:
Vile is not a noun. It’s an adjective. In order to use it as a noun you’d need to change it to “vileness”.
Do you ever get angry that no one ever taught you the difference?
John Bartlett
December 22nd, 2011
10:25 am
The GOP IS clearly anti-gay, not just Newt. Name a Republican candidate who supports same sex marriage? I suppose many could have said that if segregation is the only issue then you’ll vote for someone else. Let’s face it, Newt is clearly NOT running for President of all the American people, only President of the American people HE considers worth while. I would prefer a president to actually represented everyone in the country not just those he agrees with.
IMAO » Blog Archive » Nuke the News: We’re All Clear Ron Paul Is an Unelectable Nut, Right?
December 22nd, 2011
11:02 am
[...] Newt Gingrich told a gay person that if your number one issue is gay marriage, he’s probably not the candidate for you. And [...]
Shazam
December 22nd, 2011
11:12 am
I would love to see a Newt Gingrich Zell Miller ticket
@@
December 22nd, 2011
11:19 am
Punk:
You’re a conservative, please explain why my sexual orientation is important to you.
Well…you posted ^^^ that on 12/21…I’m responding on 12/22. Pretty obvious that it (your sexual orientation? isn’t important to me.
Or maybe, deep down, you’re curious yourself?
Not in the least.
Like I said…INDIFFERENT. I know it’s disappointing but there you have it. It ain’t all about you.
Real Athens
December 22nd, 2011
11:25 am
Chip @ 8:24 am
What planet are you living on? What alternative version of history are you spreading?
“We all know what happened to Joe the Plumber… while minding his own business one day, candidate Obama approached him and asked for an opinion. Joe gave it, and his life was turned upside down by media trash digging for dirt to slander him and prop up Obama, and all kinds of Lefty kook and wierdos came out of the woodwork to attack Joe.
Joe the Plumber was trotted out by the McCain campaign after Obama spoke to him at a campaign rally. He has used this to “turn his life upside down”: He’s published a book and is a frequent radio/television commentator and motivational speaker — a paid one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_the_Plumber
“On February 13, 2010 Wurzelbacher attended a political event for Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Sam Rohrer. Speaking to a reporter afterwards, Wurzelbacher said that “McCain was trying to use him”, and accused McCain of having “really screwed his life up”.
Shazam
December 22nd, 2011
11:26 am
What Goes Around Comes Around:
Hope the silent majority muzzles you and your anything but silent minorty come 2012! Don’t underestimate the Americans that vote and don’t blog and Twitter!
Real Athens
December 22nd, 2011
11:31 am
“Newt Gingrich Zell Miller ticket”
Four years of book tours and signings! Shameless, self promotion and senility too! “Democracy” for … the highest bidder! Endeavor to persevere!
TRUTH
December 22nd, 2011
11:55 am
I am a Progressive Dem, and clearly see no problem in Newt’s response. It is clear that he is standing by his convictions, ON THIS POINT ALONE. Other than that, to seriously consider Newt a contender is brain-cramping. Now Ron Paul is up to bat, just in time for Iowa. Swing and yet another GOP/Tea/Libertarian/Conservative (I’m sure I’ve missed a few…my bad)….where was I?…..OH!!….Swing and a miss!!!
With the imploding House GOP, this assortment of GOP (etc.,) hopefuls, and your media help – Faux News, Rush, Hannity, et. al, the demise of the GOP is a visual spectacular. The tax cut for 160 Million of the middle class and an extension of UI benefits is a no brainer. And yet, these yahoos are publicly and blantantly showing their allegiance to the rich. And the citizens are watching.
Goodbye, GOP. OBAMA 2012!!
Taft Punk
December 22nd, 2011
12:29 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
December 22nd, 2011
5:50 am
Don’t know about the primary, but come November there are certainly many gay/lesbian voters who will put their love of country ahead of their own pet causes and vote for the Republican, be it Newt or Romney.
That’s a laugh
dbm
December 22nd, 2011
12:30 pm
@ td
December 21st, 2011
1:15 pm
I am an atheist and I think you should be able to abort children up to the point of delivery, but I will NOT vote for Obama
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 22nd, 2011
12:36 pm
Bill Orvis White
December 22nd, 2011
7:40 am
The honorable Speaker Gingrich loves the gays, but he simply doesn’t endorse their lifestyle. This does not make him a hater or a mean man.
Wrong on all counts!
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 22nd, 2011
12:37 pm
Chip
December 22nd, 2011
8:25 am
Here’s yet another example of liberal hypocrisy… all these comments about Gingrich and the political Right “hating” this or that group… when the worst, most verbally viscious and physically violent hatred in this country comes from the Left.
As a moderate conservative, I don’t “hate” anyone… yet every day I am at risk of the following:
–violent verbal confrontation
–abusive, insulting language
–public defamation
–loss of my job
–cyberstalking
–terroristic harrassment at my home of place of work
–civil action
–threatrs and intimidation
–accusations/convictions for “hate speech”
–violent physical assault
… all from various factions of the Left, if I commit the imaginary crime of disagreeing with a Liberal.
Nah dude. You’re just kind of thin-skinned and you have a victim complex that’s outta this world.
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 22nd, 2011
12:41 pm
Just Saying..
December 22nd, 2011
9:12 am
Kyle, I think the effect of a Gingrich nomination to the Republican Party’s future represents a lot more to “sigh” about than the pandemic media headlines/teases deliberately calculated to attract one more eyeball, one more mouse click. This the first time you’ve noticed? Or the first time you’ve felt injured?
Like most Republican/conservative bloggers and media pundits, Kyle is extremely emotionally fragile, a delicate dandelion being blown around by a heathen child of liberal pagans.
Fresh Prince of Belfast
December 22nd, 2011
12:43 pm
@@
December 22nd, 2011
11:19 am
Not in the least.
Like I said…INDIFFERENT. I know it’s disappointing but there you have it. It ain’t all about you.
Then why did you bring it up?
ASY*
December 22nd, 2011
1:26 pm
As a gay man, what bothers me about this exchange is that Newt doesn’t seem to demonstrate any willingness to ENGAGE in dialogue with the LGBT community on issues like gay marriage (or gay rights, in general). What will he do for our community – anything? Mind you, everyone is concerned about the economy, jobs, etc., and gay marriage may not be issue number one in everyone’s minds, but it is still an important issue (or at least somewhat) to some. And Obama will make his pitch on jobs, the economy, etc., just like every other politician, but at least he will engage our community, not throw us under the bus, like the conservative right to get evangelicals’ votes for the primaries.
ASY*
December 22nd, 2011
1:54 pm
….and my marriage rights are not a “pet” issue. The economy is important to me too, but I plan to hold my elected officials accountable for their views.
I_am_gay
December 22nd, 2011
3:13 pm
I am conservative on most issues, centrist on some issues, and liberal on a few issues. I have and will continue to vote conservative. Gay rights, specifically marriage, are not on the radar for any politician on either side of the aisle. It then makes no sense to vote based on that one issue. I vote based on what is best for the country and I’m honest enough with myself to know that even with a liberal congress and white house (which we had for 2 years if I recall), gay marriage probably won’t pass in my lifetime. I’ve accepted it.
Mark
December 22nd, 2011
3:22 pm
@ td
December 22nd, 2011
8:37 am
Chip
December 22nd, 2011
8:25 am
Amen Chip!!! One only needs to read these blogs on a daily basis to see the vile and vitriol of the far left.
And your comments in regard to the “far left” are never vile are they? Dude give us logical people a break.
Obama 2012!
Mark
December 22nd, 2011
3:23 pm
The Right has no competent leader that can run this county. That’s why they are furious with the left by all the name calling on these blogs. I’m loving it!
catlady
December 22nd, 2011
3:50 pm
Wouldn’t this be a headline: Gingrich Courts Gay Vote!
BRW
December 22nd, 2011
3:59 pm
td is the lowest form of human on the planet with nary a self-thought comment and I am ashamed he MAY be from the state of Georgia. But he enjoys seeing his crap in print so you guys just keep telling him the facts and he’ll just keep trolling along. Ignore him and he will implode even before Obama wins four more years.
BRW
December 22nd, 2011
4:04 pm
“I would love to see a Newt Gingrich Zell Miller ticket” you and every other red neck in the South and my Democratic friends. What a wipeout that would be in favor of liberal thinking and the freedom to be a thinker.
Derek
December 22nd, 2011
4:19 pm
I am pretty sure I’d support Romney over Obama….but Obama over about all the other candidates. I also feel that, deep down, that is how a lot of independent Americans feel. Romney’s ability to work with the (very) democratic legislature of his state and get things done is much better than what we have now. That, ultimately, is what it is all about…getting the people’s business done. I just don’t think independents see Newt doing that well.
joyce
December 22nd, 2011
4:43 pm
Ya know, I love reading the comments from some of ya’ll. It is TOO FUNNY. You have me laughing out loud. Nice. That goes for all the TD lovers and TD haters as well.
bluecoat
December 22nd, 2011
4:58 pm
Newt and Zig Zag what a laugh.TD calling someone atheist.You all should know TD is a student of Newt.He has told on these blogs many times how he was tops in class.Of course he is tops in all,to hear him tell it.
bluecoat
December 22nd, 2011
5:16 pm
George H W (thousand points of light) Bush backs Romney.
GT
December 22nd, 2011
6:02 pm
Misleading? What do they have a school for right con writers, like Ringling Bros. , that train you how to frame these events to make your nasty little minded man look like the rest of us? Now Newt owns the job creating genius and O is the waste basket for freaks. There is no evidence that Newt knows anything about job creation, he is a college professor by trade which use to be the ultimate nothing in the conservative world, so why if you are concern about that would his number come up? And as the go to guy for defense which will be dictated by the failed policies of the Republican ghost of yesterday. The only certainty here is that Obama will not discriminate against any American to curry favor of the cable news crowd or any minority or majority of this country. Newt is on record wanting to remove the protection of the Supreme Court. It starts with gays and moves over to the rest of us that disagree with Newt. Somewhere in all of this we become victims and Newt becomes Jerry Sandusky. Protection of American citizens is a right, the alternative is not pretty.
Martin Williams
December 22nd, 2011
6:28 pm
You must be drinking something that comes directly out of your body to say Obama is the worst president ever. Did you complete high school? Get used to it till January 2017 after the 2016 election. The GOP still DO NOT have a candidate for 2016. As for 2012, it is in the bag. The GOP has every idiot wanting to be president……..Newt. Well in Georgia they elected Mr. Deal and supporting Newt does not surprise me a bit.
GT
December 22nd, 2011
6:41 pm
Obama truly has no competition, he is playing the course which is plenty tough, but none of these refugees from the nut house have any punch or real distraction to what he is doing. If he loses it won’t be because of their play it will be because the course was too hard. The Republican Party has insulted the American public many ,many time, but by running these hacks it has shown nothing but contempt. Cut the crap of pledging allegiance to a flag and all your hot air, you have shown the American public your true colors in your selfish games and they have seen and heard enough.
DavidEm
December 23rd, 2011
3:33 am
The Republican Party has an elaborate propaganda machine, but if you look at what they actually DO, they are totally in the pockets (I could be obscene, but I won’t) of the wealthy, and of corporations that have absolutely NO loyalty to this country, or even to the health of its people (just ask the Repubs about the EVIL ENVIRONMENTALISTS!)
It’s completely shameless, but people who only listen to Rush-wing propaganda literally haven’t a CLUE.
Liberal Mike
December 23rd, 2011
8:21 am
Forget about Newt cheating on his previous wives; forget about Newt having to pay $300,000 in fines for ethics violations. When Newt lost his position of speaker of the house, he quit and hid for a few years hoping everyone would forget. It didn’t matter to him that the taxpayers of Georgia had to pay for a special election to replace him, it didn’t matter that he was chosen by the voters of Georgia to represent them. What did matter to Newt was Newt, he wasn’t man enough to stand and do the job he was elected to do. Kind of reminds me of yesterday’s conservatives darling Sarah (for those with short memories, she quit the governorship of Alaska to be a reality star, how fitting). When you conservatives clamor for morals and support Newt or it just shows how lacking you are.
Mark
December 23rd, 2011
8:25 am
BRW
December 22nd, 2011
3:59 pm
td is the lowest form of human on the planet with nary a self-thought comment and I am ashamed he MAY be from the state of Georgia. But he enjoys seeing his crap in print so you guys just keep telling him the facts and he’ll just keep trolling along. Ignore him and he will implode even before Obama wins four more years.
I’m learning to ignore him, but sometimes his stupid comments are just too tempting. LOL
sircharles19
December 23rd, 2011
8:41 am
Having read and seen the many remarks made my the former speaker Newt Gingrich, it is indeed ashame! A man who has a nasty records being married 3 times; taking money that he said was not part of ethical standards, and continue to make ugly remarks about the President of the United States; how can he continue to be a candidate for the same office? If you are a careful reader, been watching Newt body language, I think he is a sick man trying to revamp “old southern” racism. I also think that he is not willing to look after anyone but himself, but all of you who think he will make or be the next president of the United States of America, you be the voter for him and then see how much he will breakup and destroy. I also know many might not like or approve our present president; but he is sure trying to make things right for America! I will not touch on Health Care, but it is important to note that we need to have some; then nothing about gays because they are people too. I will not touch anything about our immigration because it is what the laws said it is, and while states are trying to develop and put in their own state laws, it is the federal government that must be in charge. We will do better if we let things operate as the laws in place for them to do so, like all of our people who are occupying cities, I agree with all of them, we have waited to long for our economy and jobs to resurface, and those who are part of the occupying cities, I stand with you all to say….it is time we vote in teh 2012 election to get out all of the old Congressmen who continue to sit and do nothing but create a lot of problems for america. We need new blood of young people who understand America plights. Happy Holidays and God bless!
dpkirpy
December 23rd, 2011
12:30 pm
Liberals don’t like Newt. Gays don’t like Newt. Muslims and illegal immigrants are afraid of Newt. Thank God. OWC and Obama’s congress have practically guaranteed his election. In 2012 it will be the America lovers against the libtards. Guess who will win. Ready for another vacation there Hussein?
Mary Waterton
December 25th, 2011
12:18 am
What Gingrich said is exactly how I feel about it. If you want “homosexual marriage” or “pedophile marriage” or “inter-species marriage” or any other bizarre sexually deviant practices, then vote for Obama. Republicans don’t want your stinking vote.
The bottom line is this: If immoral people are now the majority, then this nation is doomed anyway and no longer fit to inhabit. In analogy to the old west, you might as well go out with your guns blazing, because if you surrender you will perish.