Phil Gingrey walks out on Barack Obama’s prayer address
A spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey confirmed this afternoon that the Marietta Republican walked out of President Barack Obama’s address at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, offended by what the congressman said was an injection of political rhetoric into an occasion of non-partisan reflection.
“He was glad that the president attended, but he felt that there were 364 days in a year to give a speech on your policies or campaign rhetoric,” said Gingrey spokeswoman Jen Talaber.
She said Gingrey enjoyed the remarks by the event’s keynote speaker, conservative author Eric Metaxes, who was in South Carolina last month campaigning with GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum.
Here are the opening paragraphs from the Associated Press account of Obama’s remarks:
WASHINGTON — Blending politics and religion, President Barack Obama said his Christian faith is a driving force behind his economic policies, from Wall Street reform to his calls for the wealthy to pay higher taxes.
Obama’s remarks Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast were his most explicit account of how his personal religious beliefs factor into his decision-making on the nation’s pressing problems. The comments came amid election-year criticism from Catholic groups and some Republicans that the president is waging a war on religion following his decision to require church-affiliated institutions to cover free birth control for employees.
Speaking to more than 3,000 people at the annual breakfast, Obama said “faith and values” should play as much as role in tackling the nation’s challenges as sound decision-making and smart policies.
Talaber, the spokeswoman for Gingrey, said the Georgia congressman – a devout Catholic — listened to “several minutes” of Obama’s remarks.
“[Gingrey] said he was disappointed, because he wanted to know what was in the president’s heart, and not just rhetoric,” the spokeswoman said. “So he said that he decided to quietly get up and leave because he felt that it wasn’t the time or the place, and that the president didn’t seem to be aware of the meaning of the breakfast or why so many people came to hear him speak. He was offended by the very tone of the speech.”
Talaber said she didn’t know whether any other members of Congress who followed Gingrey’s example. “He wasn’t trying to rally the troops,” she said.
The AP account backs up one of Gingrey’s points, reporting that the president’s defense of his policies was a “rare injection” of politics into the annual bipartisan event. Here’s the remainder of the piece:
[Obama] said, for example, that his own call for fairness in the tax code — a central tenet of his State of the Union address and his 2012 campaign — is both economically sound and consistent with the teachings of Jesus.
“If I’m willing to give something up as somebody who’s been extraordinarily blessed, and give up some of the tax breaks that I enjoy, I actually think that’s going to make economic sense,” he said. “But for me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus’s teaching that ‘for unto whom much is given, much shall be required.’ It mirrors the Islamic belief that those who’ve been blessed have an obligation to use those blessings to help others, or the Jewish doctrine of moderation and consideration for others.”
He also said the Wall Street reform he championed both “makes the economy stronger for everyone” and abides by God’s command to “love thy neighbor as thyself” because it helped people who had been hurt or treated unfairly by financial institutions.
And Obama said he believed in a “biblical call” to care for the poor and to follow “the responsibility we’re given in Proverbs to ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.’”
The president’s remarks came one day after Mitt Romney, the front-runner for the Republican nomination, created a flap with clumsy comments about the poor.
Romney said wasn’t concerned about the “very poor” because they have a safety net. He also said he wasn’t concerned about the very rich and intended to focus his campaign on the middle class.
“You can focus on the very poor; that’s not my focus,” Romney said.
While the White House said the president’s remarks were not meant to be political, his comments did fit neatly into the Obama campaign’s effort to draw sharp contrasts between the president and Romney.
The former Massachusetts governor is among Republicans who have criticized the president for not exempting religious organizations from a requirement in the 2010 health care law that requires insurers to cover birth control for their employees. Romney said this week that the president was ordering “religious organizations to violate their conscience.”
GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said Obama has “declared war on the Catholic Church,” and House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday the mandate violates the Constitution.
Obama never mentioned the controversy in his remarks Thursday, nor did he reference his Republican rivals by name.
But his broader defense of his policies was a rare interjection of politics into the annual prayer breakfast. The breakfast is organized by bipartisan congressional lawmakers, but speakers often avoid overt political references beyond calling for civility and respect in Washington.
While Obama speaks often about his faith, he prefers to worship in private. He said Thursday that he starts each morning with a brief prayer, then spends time reading scripture. Sometimes, he said, pastors come to the Oval Officer to pray with him, for his family and for the country.
He also described his own religious transformation in deeply personal language Thursday, from growing up in a non-religious home to finding Christ later in his life. He recalled a visit a few years ago with the evangelist Rev. Billy Graham, which ended with the president feeling compelled to pray for the aging Graham.
Obama said when he found himself at that moment not knowing what to say, the Holy Spirit interceded.
“I have fallen on my knees with great regularity since that moment, asking God for guidance not just in my personal life and my Christian walk, but in the life of this nation and in the values that hold us together and keep us strong,” he said.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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710 comments Add your comment
sandra
February 2nd, 2012
11:27 pm
Once again, Georgia politicians make me ashamed to be from GA. Oh, I forgot, we elect them! I bet that Gingrey will use “I walked out on Obama” in his next POLITICAL speech. What happened to the idea that you respect the Office even it you don’t agree with the one holding it? Gingrey’s actions were just as political as anything Obama might have said. . .
You go, Gingrey
February 2nd, 2012
11:29 pm
@ RUSerious? Next time break your posts into separate ones, so I can address them separately It would be easier that way. First, I didn’t say anything about giving money to the lazy. But by indiscriminately giving out money, it removes all incentive to do anything on your own. I’m not lazy, but do you think I would work if I knew I could get money without working? Hell, no, I wouldn’t.
jp
February 2nd, 2012
11:29 pm
Lot’s of angry comments because Gingrey didn’t fawn over this pathetic pres who has ZERO tact. Sorry folks, but you can’t whine about some who is tactful enough to walk away from something obnoxious but pres too dumb to represent ALL Americans rather than be divisive.
The Truth
February 2nd, 2012
11:29 pm
Obama quotes scripture to justify the Govt seizing the property of others. Obama misapplied the meaning of “to those to whom much has been give much is expected”. That charge is to each of us as individuals, as a personal responsibility and accountability to our fellow man. It is NOT a call to use the power of the Federal Government to extract from each of us. Furthermore, is Obama suggesting he believes it appropriate to use the Federal Govt to enforce his version of religion? Sounds like it.
The message which Obama misapplied calls on us individually to help our neighbors. In looking at the Obama’s tax return I note the Obama’s donated less than 2% of their income to charity, on an income of some $1.7 million. If Mr Obama sincerely feels he has been given much and has been fortunate he needs to “donate” rather than tax. But as is typical of a Liberal, they are willing to spend your money but not theirs.
George W and Laura Bush routinely donate 30% and more of their income, Mitt Romney over 35%, the Obamas 1.9%, Joe Biden $369.00. There’s another saying Mr Obama should heed, charity begins at home. Nothing prevents him from being generous with his money. Perhaps Michelle should curtail her clothes buying sprees and vacations and donate to charity. That $50,000 she spent at a lingere shop on Madison Ave would be greatly appreciated by Habitat, Hosea Feed the Hungry, United Way.
Hello Dimascraps!
February 2nd, 2012
11:29 pm
Barbie Republican
February 2nd, 2012
11:25 pm
Harvard and Columbia? That’s awesome. I wonder what his SAT and LSAT were? I’m sure he released that, right?
Being a guy with an African father he met one time and a cool name didn’t help him get into schools did it?
Larry
February 2nd, 2012
11:29 pm
I’ve read some of the comments on this matter. obama is NOT A CHRISTIAN he is a MUSLIM. And one person said this was disrespectiful of walking out while this president was talking. What would you call how DISRESPECTIFUL THIS president has been to AMERICA. he has bowed to other countries that we have been at war with. and every time he opens his mouth here comes another lie. look at this economy now since he has been in office.deficit has went over board and keeps on getting bigger. this pres. said when campaining in08 that the BUSH adm. should be ashamed of the deficit every body owed over $30000 now it is over $48000. gas before he took office was $1.79 now over $3.50 . no respect for this pres AT ALL.
You go, Gingrey
February 2nd, 2012
11:30 pm
@ td, NO, Marxist theory says that the GOVERNMENT should do the giving from what they first TAKE. Christianity teaches us to GIVE ON OUR OWN. That is about as far from Marxism as you can get.
Barbie Republican
February 2nd, 2012
11:33 pm
Demascrap, you are a sad, little person. It makes me ashamed to be a Republican. I hate that our party is over-run by ignorant bigots. That’s not how it was as I was growing up. No matter what, I will always respect the POTUS. Please find more intelligent and adult arguments to RESPECTFULLY disagree with President Obama. Grow up.
Larry
February 2nd, 2012
11:34 pm
@ You go Gingery: Your challenge is to find one thing our (yours and mine) President has done for the country. Let’s see…He got us out of Iraq, he got Bin Laden, he saved our financial industry from complete collapse, he saved our auto industry (saving hundreds of thousands of jobs), he has kept taxes at historically LOW levels. And he’s just conducted himself in such a dignified manor, despite all of the unpresidented personal attacks.
Your turn…why do you hate him so much?
Alabamastan
February 2nd, 2012
11:35 pm
Stand tall, be proud, Georgians. As a former Georgian, I understand. As a current Alabamian, even more. But when one of these Yayhoos shows his a$$, you have to speak out. Let him know how embarrassed you are. Obama was making the point that we all use our moral values to approach law and government, and that should be respected. I, personally, need to keep that in mind. It’s not easy
Steve)
February 2nd, 2012
11:36 pm
Oh heavens! A politician justifying his politics with religion!? Just what is the world coming to? Did Phil clutch his pearls and get the vapors upon realizing this shocking revelation?
td
February 2nd, 2012
11:36 pm
You go, Gingrey
February 2nd, 2012
11:30 pm
I think you are misinterpreting my comments. I am saying that Obama has a religious belief founded in Marism and that is the way he is attempting to take this nation.
MC
February 2nd, 2012
11:37 pm
To rural education, you did mean Obama?
southern white boy
February 2nd, 2012
11:39 pm
i think that rep gingrey, like all too many repubs, has not bothered to actually read the bible and understand its teachings. and clearly his mother didnt bother to teach him manners and respect. i find the hypocrisy and double standards of his ilk revolting.
You go, Gingrey
February 2nd, 2012
11:40 pm
@ Larry, sorry, bud, but Obama didn’t get Bin Laden, any more than Bush got Hussein. Both were president when those respective events happened, but neither had anything whatsoever to do with the actual act, other than approving it. And as I said before, the criticism and scorn leveled on Obama by his critics pales in comparison to that leveled on Bush. I am not privy to enough FACTS to argue with you about either the financial industry or the auto industry; there are plenty of people who know more than I ever will who would certainly argue that point with you. However, I will say, that the government has no business whatsoever in bailing out any industry that shoots itself in the foot by its own greedy or misguided conduct. That’s just another example of government trying to run everything, and sticking its foot in where it was never meant to be to begin with
You go, Gingrey
February 2nd, 2012
11:41 pm
@ td, I agree with what you said
Larry
February 2nd, 2012
11:42 pm
@ the other Larry: What did the President lie about? Don’t be afraid you use facts. He never said that he would keep gas prices down or that he would reduce the deficit. Plus how else were we supposed to pay for the wars (that he was against the first place) and help slow down economy that was losing 700k jobs a month when he took office?
You go, Gingrey
February 2nd, 2012
11:43 pm
@ Larry, how dignified was it of Obama to turn his back and walk away from the governor of Arizona last week. If, as you assert, he has handled the criticism in such a dignified manner, then why, no matter what she might have been saying, did he show his ass and walk away from her. SHE deserves some respect too, you know.
RUSerious?
February 2nd, 2012
11:44 pm
@ RUSerious? Next time break your posts into separate ones, so I can address them separately It would be easier that way.
First, I didn’t say anything about giving money to the lazy. But by indiscriminately giving out money, it removes all incentive to do anything on your own. I’m not lazy, but do you think I would work if I knew I could get money without working? Hell, no, I wouldn’t.
Fundamentally, we do not disagree as I would wager most Americans do not. The issue I have as an African American, is that so-called republicans/republican conservatives, always act as if miniorities are the burdern on society. White America, in my opinion, ignore poor white Americans until it is time for the vote. White America loves to compare the best of their world with the worst of minorities.
Fats O Kelly
February 2nd, 2012
11:45 pm
Obama is getting way out there. I dont know what he believes anymore.. He took all references to Christ off the White House Christmas greeting cards and now this. This is a bit disturbing
You go, Gingrey
February 2nd, 2012
11:45 pm
@ Larry at 11:42, his entire campaign of “Hope and Change” was predicated on his promises to do something about gas prices, the deficit, unemployment, etc, etc. He has failed to deliver on any of those promises. The only HOPE I have now is that he will not be re-elected.
Rufus
February 2nd, 2012
11:48 pm
Gingey is not important. We just dont need another one like him in office. It takes a while to clean up a mess left by the republican party. I have not forgotten who got us in this mess and hopefully the rest of you all have not either. I did not expect for the President to do a miracle in his first term of office. I am realistic. The republicans have shown over and over who they care about. Themselves.
You go, Gingrey
February 2nd, 2012
11:48 pm
@ Fats O Kelly, I’m with you on that one too. The FEDERAL HOLIDAY is called Christmas, and Christmas was created as a day to celebrate the birth of Christ. To ignore that completely, whether you personally believe in Christ or not, is unconscionable and completely disrespectful of the millions of people who DO believe in Christ and celebrate His birth on that day.
You go, Gingrey
February 2nd, 2012
11:49 pm
@ Rufus, I hate to tell you, but a lot of this mess (the mortgage fiascos, in particular) were started even before Bush; they began under Jimmy Carter.
You go, Gingrey
February 2nd, 2012
11:52 pm
OK, I’ve stated my two cents worth tonight. I’m tired of it now and am calling it a night. In closing, I will just say, “Go Gingrey” and “Get out of here, Obama.”
Larry
February 2nd, 2012
11:52 pm
@ You go Gingrey: I completely disagree that President Obama had nothing to do with the killing of Bin Laden. Even Repubs are on record as saying that it was a gutsy and risky move by President Obama.
I understand somewhat your reluctance of government intervening in private industries, but…if you were faced with the prospect that our entire financial and/or auto industry could completely collapse, would you really be willing to take the risk that “hopefully” things will just take care of themselves.
I just believe that, sometimes, under extraordinary circumstances, it’s ok for government to intervene. And these were extraordinary circumstances. I mean the President isn’t bailing out Krispy Kremes…although…
Keep walking until you make it back to the country club
February 2nd, 2012
11:53 pm
You dont deserve to represent Georgia. You all have proven that the President couldnt do anything right in your eyes anyway. Republicans need to help clean their mess.
Please
February 3rd, 2012
12:00 am
PLEASE! All Gingery and his ilk do is look for any opportunity to embarrass the President. Shame on that big fat dumb baby. He is too immature to be representing his district.
PR Stunt
February 3rd, 2012
12:02 am
Phil Gringray is stoopid – who cares about this man? In fact, who is he?
He obviously did this for a poltical stunt!!!!
Again, i say — Phil Who?
adam
February 3rd, 2012
12:08 am
GINGrey GRINGrinch. whats the difference between two embarrasing georgia clowns?
B Taylor
February 3rd, 2012
12:09 am
What a slob! Maybe they didn’t serve his fat belly enough food. Apparently the only thing NEWT is interested in is eating (dumpy fat guy), walking out on wives and walking out on the President! DISREPECTFUL CLOWN!
RUSerious?
February 3rd, 2012
12:10 am
You go, Gingrey
February 2nd, 2012
11:48 pm
@ Fats O Kelly, I’m with you on that one too. The FEDERAL HOLIDAY is called Christmas, and Christmas was created as a day to celebrate the birth of Christ. (Where the heck did you get this erroneous information?) If all of you so-called believers would carefully read your bible, you would read that the birth of Jesus, according to the King James version, occurred during Spring. Read the new testament.
How is it disrepectful to not observe a man-made holiday? I enjoy the Christmas season, but I am not so arrogant to act as if I am celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. You would do yourself a favor to research American holidays. Christmas, as was originally observed, had nothing to do with Jesus Christ.
What is disrepectful to me is to act as if “your saviour” only set aside certain days that we should respect one another.
What do you do the other 6 days of the week to respect not only yourself, but also your history ?
B Taylor
February 3rd, 2012
12:12 am
DISRESPECTFUL! SORRY
Lulu
February 3rd, 2012
12:25 am
A lot of misinformation is being spued about in these comments. To begin Gingrich is not a southerner. He’s a snow bird from Michigan or some such place. His and many of the other so-called southern poiticians are being elected and supported by constituancies of the tremendous influx from the same regions Wonder why they’re all flockinghere???. So your bigotry bckfires. Secondly the focus of a prayer breakfast is God,.. whomever you religion dictates that to be.Not the Dems or Repubs partyliners on here who seem to miss that point. Personally I think the AP was right but then I’m an indepedent. My personal feeling is that as a Protestant I could easily justify quietly leaving a Cathoic gathring so I can imagine that could have factored into the man’s decision. Sorry I couldn’t think of a way to name call and throw fuel on this bon fire in a cigartte lighter!
D Jackson
February 3rd, 2012
12:34 am
You all republicans are very sick people Christ should come first and foremost in all of our lives. President Obama was voted in by the american people but his steps are ordered by God for those of you who don’t believe and don’t know God you better get to know him.President Obama will be voted in again because God is in control.One of these days you will thank God and President for a job well done
Danny
February 3rd, 2012
12:40 am
Who ever said get “religion” out of politics. Isn’t this majority of of the Republican platform? Don’t they pride themselves to be so called “Christians”. Now that is the funniest thing I heard all day – Get religion out of politics
Dirty Dawg
February 3rd, 2012
1:09 am
td…betcha $10,000 on that ‘four more years’ thing. And as for me being happy…don’t worry, just the thought of you guys being miserable is enough makes me downright giddy.
Fats O Kelly
February 3rd, 2012
1:11 am
Obama will say anything and I mean anything to garner votes. Seems like the “Hollow Man” more than the President. I certainly dont hate the man ,but he seems more like Jimmy Carter every week. My 2 cents…………dats all
T
February 3rd, 2012
1:15 am
NO BUMA!!!!!! Time to get the dictator wanna be out of office….He is a commie….and is making an effort to destroy America form the inside….the radical left has got to go…just like I dont approve of radical right…the radical left are about to destroy this”once” great nation!!!!!!!! God look over us and revel the truth! God Bless America!
T
February 3rd, 2012
1:18 am
Dirty DAWG…i doubt you have a job…just dont want your govt assistance taken away from you…do you? reward failure and punish success…that should be the liberals slogan!
HENRY
February 3rd, 2012
1:35 am
GOOD….THEY ALL SHOULD WALK OUT…THIS SOB HAS NOTHING TO SAY WORTH LISTENING TO….JUST THE SAME OLD “GET ME RE-ELECTED” CRUD……….
Bernie
February 3rd, 2012
2:10 am
Will someone, please explain to me why this sitting U.S.President is so disrespected by so many members of the Republican Party. After 8 years of the apocalyptic failed polices from the previous administration. Anyone of minor intelligence could see that what this man has done for this country and its people is short of miracoulous. despite all of his achievements and efforts he is still being direspected like no other in America’s history. SHAME! SHAME! on all of the Republicans and tea party members who sit quietly and snicker at this abomiable behavior. The SHAME, Rep. Gingrey has wrought again on Georgia, who has enough SHAME of its own history without this dastardly act. Again, we see for our selves on full display the backward thinking of a people who celebrate the denigration of one of its own. How can we possibly be ONE Nation under GOD when this kind of disrespect is shown to our greatest LEADER. I pray that the people of Cobb county consider this act and show this man the door. This is Behavoir that should not tolerated from our kids much less a sitting House Member. Dr.gingrey has forgotten an OATH,
“First, do no Harm”.
Joe The Plumber Too.
February 3rd, 2012
2:33 am
bernie, up drinking late little fellow? urkle obama and his ol lady me-shell are about to get served eviction papers so they can go on back to the rock they crawled from beneath in chi-town. That armpit of a city deserve4s him and his butt buddy terrorists…raum & ayers. Maybe rev. wright let me-shell sit on his lap like the old days.
George W. Bush
February 3rd, 2012
2:37 am
The idiot Congressman walked out before he burst into flames. What a disgraceful bunch of white Republicans represent Georgia in this day and age! Richard Russell, Bo Callaway, and Carl Vinson must be rolling in their graves.
Joe The Plumber Too.
February 3rd, 2012
3:11 am
georgie boy, drop to your knees and give your messiah obama a kiss right where rev. wright likes to fiddle about.
Bernie
February 3rd, 2012
3:30 am
Whatever happened to that BS phrase “We Are All Americans NOW” I guess some of us…….. are MORE American than others and perceived non americans deserve to be disrespected!
Many in the community, knew those words would be short lived and ring hollow …just as many words proclaimed about Liberty and Freedom have been before!
GrannyCares
February 3rd, 2012
3:59 am
For Pete’s sake folks! Politicians — both parties — are what they are. They will do or say anything to give them a political edge any time or, any where the opportunity presents itself! Sacrilegious? SURE, but they cannot help themselves.
We will all have an opportunity to vote on November 6. Let us remember our outrage then.
Kim Huffman
February 3rd, 2012
4:28 am
Gingrey is a pious, self serving, sanctimoniousness example of what is wrong with America.
He could have stayed, then made is comments, but getting up and being noted proves his inner rot.
Braves Fan Since 1966
February 3rd, 2012
4:42 am
What a heart warming story. A Congressman (one of 3000 attendees) walking out of a prayer breakfast because he objects to the Presidents’ comments. Why is this a news story at all? Who would even be taking notice of this Congressman’s departure? I’d like to see every elected elected leader in Washington (including the President) leave their seats in a huff this coming November. There’s not a single statesman in the bunch in my opinion.
Lib in Cobb
February 3rd, 2012
4:54 am
Wait just one minute. I thought President Obama was Muslim. Phil get over yourself and BTW, you don’t represent me and never will.