Your morning jolt: Callista Gingrich steps out, front and center
The Republican contest for president hones in on its most conservative activists today, with three of the four candidates making appearances before CPAC.
Callista Gingrich, wife of Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, is framed by the crowd gathered to hear her husband spoke after touring the Jergens manufacturing facility in Cleveland during a campaign stop on Wednesday. AP/Amy Sancetta
Newt Gingrich will try something different. He’ll be introduced by his wife, Callista – a sign that she’s about to assume a more prominent role in the campaign. From Politico.com:
The speech she’s supposed to give is intended to be light-hearted and descriptive about the man she’s married to, the source [said]. Her decision to introduce her husband is intended as the first step in what will be a broader rollout of Callista going forward – introducing the candidate at rallies, meeting with women’s groups and granting press requests that the campaign had turned down for most of the cycle.
***
Over at the Wall Street Journal, Peggy Noonan wonders how hard Mitt Romney will go after the rising Rick Santorum this afternoon:
Nobody in the conservative base hates Rick. Newt is hated by many and Mitt by some. Mr. Santorum is liked. He has real indignation about what’s happened to America, and he brings passion to his ideas about reform. He’s got little money, little organization—there’s no broad assumption he can pull it off. And by the time the Romney campaign is done dismantling him, he may have some people who hate him. But this will only underscore the Romney campaign’s reputation for destroying, not creating. And nobody loves a Death Star.
***
The Newt Gingrich campaign has already announced it will bring the candidate to Georgia next week. Last night, the Forsyth County Republican party offered up a first specific event:
Gingrich will address 300-400 attendees at the Forsyth County GOP Mass Precinct Meeting in preparation for Super Tuesday. Forsyth County, one of the most conservative counties in the country, will be the first stop of four during Gingrich’s Saturday visit to Georgia.
The event is scheduled to begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 18th at South Forsyth High School, the doors will open at 9:00 a.m., and no entry will be granted after 10:00 a.m.
***
The AJC’s Politifact Georgia today takes a look at Mitt Romney’s claim, made this week in Atlanta, that “25 or 24 million” people are “out of work or stopped looking for work.”
***
This week, state Sens. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus; David Shafer, R-Duluth; and a handful of other Republicans introduced SR 828, a resolution in opposition to the Barack Obama administration’s new mandate that hospitals and other large institutions operated by churches must include contraceptive prescriptions in their health insurance plans for employees.
A few of the whereases:
Whereas, the Catholic belief is that an unborn child is a fully-corporate, living human being; and
Whereas, the Church states that abortion, kinetic or chemical, terminates the life of a human being and violates the Sixth Commandment, making the Church morally culpable for every abortion taking place under the insurance plan; and
Whereas, the American Catholic Church is reaching out in an attempt to hold onto their First Amendment rights, as well as their belief and religion…
But over at Georgia Politico, Dustin Baker notes the irony that Georgia already has long had an insurance mandate almost identical to the one on the federal level. Specifically, Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 33-24-59.6:
(c) Every health benefit policy that is delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this state or approved for issuance or renewal in this state by the Commissioner on or after July 1, 1999, which provides coverage for prescription drugs on an outpatient basis shall provide coverage for any prescribed drug or device approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use as a contraceptive.
***
We are headed toward St. Patrick’s Day. Down on the coast, that means public officials are trying to stay ahead of the latest trend among drunken revelers. From the Savannah Morning News:
Savannah city officials at Thursday’s City Council meeting announced they are drawing the line at public displays of snakes, lizards or any other creepy-crawly.
“If it has scales and is cold-blooded, you cannot bring it,” explained Marty Johnston, the city’s acting assistant city manager for management services.
Though there were brief sidebar discussions about whether banning a reptile from a public street is legal, council as a whole didn’t discuss that aspect, and judging by the shivers shared over a photo of a hefty Burmese python, most supported the idea.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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198 comments Add your comment
gm
February 10th, 2012
9:15 am
You mean Newt ex mistress, by the way he confess to be a catholic, I am sure he is going to pound Obama with attacks on relgions, I wonder do Catholics church believe in 3 adultry affairs? the right, what a bunch of hypocrites.
Real American
February 10th, 2012
9:23 am
This will not end well.
HR Pufnstuf
February 10th, 2012
9:26 am
Witchipoo !!
honested
February 10th, 2012
9:38 am
Jim, is the picture really necessary!
Morning jolt is right, if not downright scary!
Cutty
February 10th, 2012
9:39 am
Would she be called the 1st Lady or the 3rd if Gingrich should happen to become Prez?
richard nixon
February 10th, 2012
9:41 am
After she introduces him she’s going to take to the sky to find prey.
Ol' Timer
February 10th, 2012
9:42 am
Dang, I’ll look forward to seeing it. I didn’t know Callista could speak.
And, regarding that GOP meeting in Forsyth that stated the doors will be closed at 10AM and no one will be allowed in after 10AM — well, they might ought to reconsider that stern policy. From what I’ve seen Ol’ Newt’s team can’t get him anywhere on time and, in this case, the featured speaker might just be locked out.
Double Zero Eight
February 10th, 2012
9:44 am
Apparently Newt is desperate and will try anything.
He should leave her and home versus putting her out
front, which is a constant reminder of his infidelity.
ByteMe
February 10th, 2012
9:44 am
Dustin Baker notes the irony that Georgia already has long had an insurance mandate almost identical to the one on the federal level.
It’s only called “irony” if you’re aware of the dichotomy. In this case, it should be properly labeled “political cravenness”.
ByteMe
February 10th, 2012
9:45 am
“When a mistress marries her man, it creates a job opening.” — Thomas Jefferson
ByteMe
February 10th, 2012
9:45 am
After she introduces him she’s going to take to the sky to find prey.
SNAP!
Travis McGee
February 10th, 2012
9:48 am
“The Republicans are the party that says government doesn’t work and then they get elected and prove it.” ~P. J. O’Rourke
“Conservatives define themselves in terms of what they oppose.” ~George Will
And, that’s the strategy. In the absence of positive plans and strategies, they just OPPOSE! We’ll see how that works out of them in November.
honested
February 10th, 2012
9:50 am
So I guess cpac will coin a new term,
The Party of NO (chance).
E-Roll
February 10th, 2012
9:54 am
I was going to say something witty about the current Mrs Gingrich but you guys have killed her enough already for the day, lol.
Garden tools, 3rd. lady and taking to the sky all are too funny but ease off her a little please before I bust my gut laughing over here.
keith
February 10th, 2012
9:56 am
I think she will hurt Newt more than help
findog
February 10th, 2012
9:57 am
The Catholic Church is also against Capital Punishment.
The Democrats should make the Church call out the GOP for their semi-pro-life stance.
ByteMe
February 10th, 2012
10:02 am
The Democrats should make the Church call out the GOP for their semi-pro-life stance.
The Church was for the death penalty before they were against it.
findog
February 10th, 2012
10:08 am
Byte, hypocrisy owes allegiance to no one.
Their dogma is the life of the unborn trumps all.
The Bishops joined the GOP in 1980 and as they are infallible they will insist to the end of times that only republicans be elected and / or receive the sacrament of communion.
The best prochoice stance ever took was by a Catholic Nun: “Men should not be making laws about a woman’s right to choose.”
liberalefty
February 10th, 2012
10:09 am
will CALISTA talk about family values…hahahahahahehehehehehehbwaaaaaaa….i cant stop laughing…
liberalefty
February 10th, 2012
10:10 am
did CALISTA and NEWTIE use a rubber when they were cheating together…eeeewwww…
PMC
February 10th, 2012
10:19 am
Wait, so St. Patrick actually chased them all to Savannah?
retiredds
February 10th, 2012
10:28 am
All we’ve heard from the lame Repubs over the last 18 months is, “it’s the economy stupid”. Well now that the economy is growing (except real estate which has a ways to go) what will the Repub spin meisters concoct heading into the November elections? They have already begun to run from the economy line as it no longer fits in with their talking points. Yes, it will be fun to read and watch.
td
February 10th, 2012
10:28 am
You libs all believe in moral relatives, have no conscience when it come to murdering the unborn and rail against conservatives on a daily basis to stay out of the bed rooms of consenting adults so why all the hypocrisy when it comes to the personal life of Newt?
td
February 10th, 2012
10:30 am
That should read as “moral relativism”
Becky
February 10th, 2012
10:32 am
td-those are awfully big words you are using today. Good for you!
liberalefty
February 10th, 2012
10:34 am
td
if NEWTIE dont want his private life mentioned he shouldnt run for office…and without abortion the population will explode…the earth can only hold so many people..and why do conservatives act like its their right to control a womans body…gop means more government intrution not less
jconservative
February 10th, 2012
10:39 am
If Newt is elected president will Callista be called the “First Other Woman”?
Just asking.
td
February 10th, 2012
10:41 am
liberalefty
February 10th, 2012
10:34 am
td
if NEWTIE dont want his private life mentioned he shouldnt run for office
Like I said earlier hypocrisy reins.
UGA 1999
February 10th, 2012
10:41 am
http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-government/black-caucus-proposes-hope-1340855.html
Racism at its finest.
td
February 10th, 2012
10:42 am
jconservative
February 10th, 2012
10:39 am
If Newt is elected president will Callista be called the “First Other Woman”?
Just asking.
Sounds like the same words coming out of the Andrew Jackson campaign.
honested
February 10th, 2012
10:43 am
td
You may be on to something.
I think the gop has a big problem with the ‘immoral relatives’ in their tent.
Moderate Old Man
February 10th, 2012
10:44 am
gm
February 10th, 2012
9:15 am
No, but they do believe in forgiveness if you repent your sins.
liberalefty
February 10th, 2012
10:45 am
will CALISTA be a woman little girls can aspire to be?..not hardly..will she advise them on how to cheat with a married man?
Ga Values...Ron Paul for Peace & Prosperity
February 10th, 2012
10:50 am
THE NAME SAYS IT ALL
td
February 10th, 2012
10:52 am
liberalefty
February 10th, 2012
10:45 am
Is the a woman that says she is only proud of her country now that she gets her way something girls should aspire too? I do not want my daughter to feel that way but it was a good teaching moment to tell her that she should not depend on external matters to determine her own happiness.
Aquagirl
February 10th, 2012
10:52 am
No, but they do believe in forgiveness if you repent your sins.
It’s not really repentance when you’re still banging her.
UGA 1999
February 10th, 2012
10:53 am
Ok liberalefty….I will give you that one, you are right.
Auntie Christ
February 10th, 2012
10:56 am
“the first step in what will be a broader rollout of Callista going forward – introducing the candidate at rallies, meeting with women’s groups …”
I guess this is to help newt as he seeks out partners for an their open marriage?
I understand the Forsyth Co repubs are dusting off the old signs from the their halcyon days of yore which sat at the county line and warned: “Ni—er don’t let the sun set on your head!” (Lest I be accused of slander, ask an older native Georgian if this is not indeed a fact.)
Dear peggy noonan, the base loves santorum, it’s the sensible, sane people that hate him. (If you are sensible and sane and don’t hate him, just be patient, when you hear his positions, you will). Since dear peggy is well past her child bearing years, she can support rickie and his stance of no birth control now, now birth control ever.
You may remember rick’s role in trying to save Terri Schiavo. He has to save the brain dead, that’s his main constituency.
Thank you folks, I’ll be here all week.
honested
February 10th, 2012
10:57 am
td
When you’ve got nothing, change the subject.
Somehow conservatives can’t understand why the public doesn’t accept their relativism.
honested
February 10th, 2012
10:59 am
td (and anyone afflicted with the same disorder)
Identify (as accurately as possible) occasions when the President has ‘preached about socialism’ ever.
Michael
February 10th, 2012
11:03 am
A Burmese Python could put an (R) next to its name and Georgians would elect it.
td
February 10th, 2012
11:03 am
honested
February 10th, 2012
10:59 am
I am sorry that you do not understand the definition of socialism. Every time he speaks of Obamacare that is socialism. Every time he talks about redistributing wealth that is socialism. Every time the government wants to control production by regulation then that is socialism.
UGA 1999
February 10th, 2012
11:05 am
honested….READ HIS BOOK!
George Hills
February 10th, 2012
11:07 am
Double-dealing on the 1996 Misdemeanor Gun Ban, Mr. Gingrich led the way for rats gnawing at your right to keep arms. Better President Obama in your face than stabbed in the back by a treacherous opportunist.
Moderate Old Man
February 10th, 2012
11:08 am
Aquagirl
February 10th, 2012
10:52 am
You do realize they are married now don’t you.
liberalefty
February 10th, 2012
11:08 am
td
they called the G.I. BILL socialism too…how’d that big government program workout?
missnadine
February 10th, 2012
11:09 am
@Richard Nixon – your comment about prey made my spit out my coffee. LOL
liberalefty
February 10th, 2012
11:09 am
td
everytime government wants to control a womans reproductive rights , thats socialism..
Ga Values...Ron Paul for Peace & Prosperity
February 10th, 2012
11:11 am
When I was a freshman in college, I worked for a real Conservative, Berry Goldwated. Like Newt he liked his women but he only had 1 wife. Given the current field I’ll vote for Ron Paul in the primary & 3rd party in the grneral. Hopefully Ron Paul will also run in the general.
Hypocrites?
February 10th, 2012
11:15 am
It is really kind of pitiful to see all the dingbats on this blog attacking Newt Gingrich’s current wife. MaKES ONE WONDER IF THEIR LIVES COULD STAND REAL SCRUTINY AND IF MUCH OF THE CRITICISM ISN’T A CASE OF THE POTHEADS CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK. WE ARE ALL HYPOCRITES (ONE WAY OR ANOTHER) AND IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA IF FOLKS WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES THINK ABOUT THE DANGER OF THROWING VERBAL STONES AT OTHERS WHO ALSO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES. COULD COME BACK TO BITE YOU.