Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
Mollie Hemingway, Ed. ·
January 9, 2012 at 6:55am
Debates are about moments. Precisely the only moment I remember from Saturday night's debate is captured here:
Gingrich interjected this after what seemed an interminable round of poorly phrased gotcha questions about contraception and same-sex marriage and gay adoption.
(h/t to our own R.J. Moeller)
- Comment (24)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (4)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments:
Dec '10
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
One might observe that the First Amendment specifically protects freedom of religion, but as Newt points out, the courts today interpret that in a perverse way that imposes restrictions on the practice of religion.
Dec '11
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
Newt is soooo much better at forcefully explaining issues like this than the rest of the field.
Jul '11
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
If the news media had souls they'd be shamed by such a clear and correct argument.
May '11
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
If some of these debate soundbites were all I knew about Gingrich, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. Very well put.
Dec '10
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
They agree with the anti-Christian bigots that Christianity (at least, the kind that has rules for moral behavior) is intolerant and therefore cannot be tolerated.
Their brand of self-righteous intolerance spans a spectrum of issues. Here's an example concerning veganism.
Dec '10
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
What better way to end my night than a shout-out at Ricochet.com!
Speaker Gingrich's retort to the moderators felt like Michael Jordan finally beating the Detroit Pistons in 1991.
Although the argument over this very important issue should not take center-stage in the 2012 elections, and despite the fact that we proponents of maintaining the legal definition of traditional marriage obviously have a long road ahead of us, to hear a prominent Republican articulate the things we've been feeling for so long in such a lucid and forceful way was...refreshing.
Nov '10
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
I can't prove it's sincere, but Newt has a flawless delivery in his pushbacks against the moderators in several of these debates. I notice in the Sunday morning debate a few of the others were attempting the same, but nobody can deliver it like Newt. Romney came close earlier in the Saturday debate with his point during the business of the hypothetical question about contraception. What distinguished Newt's? I've watched it several times and it seems to be delivered so naturally, with unflinching conviction -- and tinged with righteous anger that it cannot fail to strike its target. I'm surprised some of these moderators have the nerve to keep pushing these buttons; they know they get it in the face when Newt's on stage.
You know, I've been thinking. Forget the issues, they're spread out, and anyone but Paul (unless he fixes his foreign policy) is "right enough" that if they do in office what they say today it will turn things around. Forget their records; take everyone at face value today. The one thing we need in a candidate for 2012 is someone who can take back the narrative.
May '11
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
When Romney was responding to the contraceptive question, an idea came to me. While waiting to come on stage the candidates should appoint a timekeeper and just ignore the moderators. Whoever gets the first question just keeps talking and then passes to the person to his left. The moderators would have a meltdown. The candidates get to talk about what they want. The only problem is that they would have to display some restraint, but I think they could manage if only to annoy the media.
I apologize if this comment isn't precisely on topic.
Edited on January 9, 2012 at 8:43amJun '10
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
If a person (in the mainstream press for example) thinks that happiness comes from cutting away all of society's "superstitious and antiquated" restraints on having fun (in the way that "fun people" like to have fun) then they (in the press) will have significant difficulty understanding people with serious religious faith, who would say that happiness only comes from being at peace with God. Those are two very different ideas of what constitutes happiness, and where happiness comes from.
REAL FREEDOM is the freedom to do the right thing, do the good thing, anytime you please. Lose that, as people who lived under Hitler and Stalin did, and you've lost the most important kind of freedom there is--the freedom to share your blessings, the freedom to lift burdens from other people. That's the real wellspring of happiness.
Apr '11
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
Newt is right on, and it's a shame most conservatives can't address this issue effectively.
Any argument for the merits of preserving traditional marriage is pointless unless this "bigotry" slander is forcefully addressed. Gay activist groups have been extremely effective at marginalizing anyone who opposes gay marriage as a hateful bigot no different than a racist (with nonsense like this popular campaign). They've been so successful at pushing this narrative that they've been able to tar ALL Republicans as haters, just because they associate with bigots. So long as this is the narrative it doesn't matter what arguments are made. After all, who cares what an ignorant bigot has to say?
The gravity of this issue becomes all too obvious for anyone who spends time around teens. Today's younger generation is more open to conservative ideas then any since at least the early 60s. However, the view that conservatives hate gays is deeply entrenched. This is absolutely devastating to the Republican and conservative brands and must be addressed for us to have any hope at all with today's youth.
Apr '11
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
Duplicate Post
Edited on January 9, 2012 at 11:09amJun '10
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
When I saw the clip, I had two overriding feelings. The first was to cheer Newt on. The second was to think, if I did something like that on a regular basis, Newt wouldn't need to.
I believe the time to be vocal (for me) has come. I have let too much slide in an effort to be nice. While I still intend to be nice, I do not intend to be silent.
Jan '11
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
Despite favoring gay marriage -- so long as it is passed by popular referendum or, preferably, constitutional amendment -- I thought Newt's zinger on this was masterful and worthy of every applause it got.
At the risk of hijacking this thread, I'd like to point out that these kind of painful, inept, unfair, and squirm-inducing questions will continue to be made so long as Rick Santorum is considered a viable candidate.
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
Tom Meyer:
At the risk of hijacking this thread, I'd like to point out that these kind of painful, inept, unfair, and squirm-inducing questions will continue to be made so long as Rick Santorum is considered a viable candidate. · Jan 9 at 7:12am
Right, because they're not present in 100% of the other debates we've been subjected to in recent years.
Oh wait ...
Mar '11
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
I think this was one of the most memorable moments in all of the debates so far.
Newt shrewdly and effectively made the point about media bias in a memorable way, and instead of being stuck awkwardly answering a gotcha question, he turned the issue on its head.
Jan '11
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Right, because they're not present in 100% of the other debates we've been subjected to in recent years.
Oh wait ...
Well, the impression I got from watching the debate at the NRO @ Manchester event was that everyone was thought the contraception question was weird, unusual, and bizarre; I agree with all that, but I think there's going to be a lot more of that kind of thing now that Santorum's in the limelight.
Feb '11
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
Tom Meyer
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Right, because they're not present in 100% of the other debates we've been subjected to in recent years.
Oh wait ...
Well, the impression I got from watching the debate at the NRO @ Manchester event was that everyone was thought the contraception question was weird, unusual, and bizarre; I agree with all that, but I think there's going to be a lot more of that kind of thing now that Santorum's in the limelight. · Jan 9 at 8:14am
I don't believe that contraception should be illegal, but I know that contraception is not medicine. Medicine attempts to treat sickness to restore bodily health. Contraception that is not of the barrier type (condom) interferes with healthy body functions to attempt to incapacitate a healthy reproductive system. I refer to surgical contraception; i.e., tubal ligations and vasectomies; and hormonal contraception; i.e., the Pill, the Patch, Mirena, Depo-provera, etc. In addition, contraception methods have risks for women and children that are ignored by medical professionals who promote them.
Call me a crazy whacko Catholic bigot, but I would prefer an honest discussion about the value of contraception to society.
May '10
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
Stuart Creque
They agree with the anti-Christian bigots that Christianity (at least, the kind that has rules for moral behavior) is intolerant and therefore cannot be tolerated.
Their brand of self-righteous intolerance spans a spectrum of issues. Here's an example concerning veganism. · Jan 8 at 10:33pm
Agreed. And, your link reminds me of why long ago I decided that I would never again live with anyone that I was not married to or an immediate member of my family. Best decision I've ever made!
Jun '10
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
Not a big Newt fan, but his argument on that issue is airtight. Well said.
Apr '11
Re: Gingrich: 'The Bigotry Question Goes Both Ways'
Mollie, after that exchange on Saturday night, I turned to Mr. Charlotte and said--I swear--"I'll vote for any candidate who pledges to make Newt Gingrich his Press Secretary."