Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Will someone please introduce Newt to the risk/utility analysis for deciding whether to speak or be silent?
One of my rules of politicking: Whenever you speak, you will win votes and lose votes. Speak when you can win more than you can lose, be quiet when you can’t.
Newt’s opponent Herman Cain had a bad day today, having now to defend a charge of marital infidelity along with other claims of sexual harassment (be any of them true or untrue, he’s defending).
Staying silent here would be a good thing for Newt. Remember in politics if you are explaining you are losing, so Newt should let Herman ‘splain like Lucy crying to Ricky. Herman is losing on his own.
In response to a question of whether Cain is “disqualified” because of all these allegations, Newt passed on the best answer: “That’s for the voters to decide.” According to the polls, the voters have been deciding exactly as Newt the candidate would want them to decide.
Instead, Newt showed empathy for Cain, which, considering the ‘splaining Newt has had to do over the years about infidelity, is reason enough not to board Cain’s crashing train. Here is how Newt answered the question:
Remember I was supposed to be dead in June and July. I am not going to go around declaring anybody else dead. I think any candidate has the right to try to recover. They have the right to try to get back in the game.
Ok, that’s the long way of saying “let the voters decide,” and still value-neutral. He should have left it there. But this is the narcissistically loquacious Mr. Gingrich, so he continued:
I like Herman Cain personally. We've known each other for many years. I think it must be very painful to go through what he's going through right now.
Good grief, Newt. Good grief. What Herman’s going through? How about his wife? I picture your notoriously skittish campaign team with their collective faces planted firmly in their palms. Way to take one for your rival.
So let’s do the risk utility analysis here, shall we Newt?
You risked:
- Alienating women, in particular previously scorned wives;
- Alienating women who sympathize with scorned wives;
- Alienating moral conservatives who frown upon infidelity;
- Creating a reason to bring up your own prior infidelity.
The utility:
You landed Sandra Bullock’s ex-husband’s vote.
So I leave you with two things to remember, Newt:
1. A man who can’t show fidelity toward his wife can’t be expected to show fidelity toward 300 million people he’s never met.
2. Some things are better left unsaid.
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Comments :
May '10
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Newt might whisper to aids that the utility of defending Cain would be to secure Cain's endorsement as he withdraws later this week.
Still, I'd agree it's best just to shush.
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Scott Reusser: Newt might whisper to aids that the utility of defending Cain would be to secure Cain's endorsement as he withdraws later this week.
Still, I'd agree it's best just to shush. · Nov 29 at 3:50pm
I'd suggest a back channel for that.
Mar '11
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Mr Obama would have quietly thrown Mr Cain under the bus.
I prefer Newt's response - it shows some human empathy.
Aug '10
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Newt knows he's already lost the scorned female vote because of his own baggage.
Jun '10
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Very true. Newt may also be trying to indicate that Herman's problems are not any of his doing. Newt may benefit from it, but it's not something he set in motion.
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
David Williamson: Mr Obama would have quietly thrown Mr Cain under the bus.
I prefer Newt's response - it shows some human empathy. · Nov 29 at 4:10pm
I think that you are on to something. It will also play well with those -- and they are legion -- who admire Herman Cain.
Dec '10
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Tommy, you seemingly have very low expectations for Speaker Gingrich. I personally thought his expression of empathy was more along the lines of Etoiledunord above. These alleged scandals of Mr. Cain's are hopefully untrue but indicative of the ruthlessness of our opponents. I think Newt showed some courage and solidarity with his brother conservative. And what is with Ann Coulter and her animosity toward Mr. Gingrich? I think we should not be tearing down our potential nominees with the level of cynicism and vehemence that should be reserved for our opponents. I obviously like Newt but I will happily vote for Mitt Romney if he gets the nomination. For me its not "anybody but Mitt", it's "anybody but Obama".
Apr '11
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Tommy De Seno
Scott Reusser: Newt might whisper to aids that the utility of defending Cain would be to secure Cain's endorsement as he withdraws later this week.
Still, I'd agree it's best just to shush. · Nov 29 at 3:50pm
I'd suggest a back channel for that. · Nov 29 at 4:07pm
Less commitment, less persuasive. Newt's been going after the Cain endorsement hard, with the Newt/ Cain debate being another example. Newt starts at a disadvantage, as Cain and Mitt get on so well.
Still agree with Tommy that it's awkward that in response to the news that Cain may have cheated on his wife, Newt's answer is "must be tough for Cain". Because, you know, he's been there. Since the statement implies Cain's guilt (Newt hasn't got the experience of false accusation, but of guilt), it may not even help Cain. The sweet spot is if the statement doesn't get much play, but Cain is grateful.
Oct '10
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
C’mon … the picture alone is priceless … visage of wife #3 glaring in the background, as if to say: “Careful, big guy … I’m on to you … sympathy for Cain? Typical; none for Abel! Which of those two suffered more? Complete your triangle, Daddy-O, and you’ve got Sympathy for the Devil!” Which might get Newt some votes from Rolling Stones fans … not to mention Lucifer himself.
Besides … look, I like Newt; yet “narcissistically loquacious” just rocks as a descriptor. Bravo, Tommy!
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
HTV's
Thanks for picking up the photo's double meaning. I chose it for that reason.
Sep '10
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Your idea that one must always give the politically expedient answer explains why Newt is doing well and Romney with 10 times the money can’t get above 25%. Romney is the master of political expedient answers. Could it be the voters have woken up and you and Romney are still living in a dream world?
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Backing a philanderer isn't just about making a choice of political expedience. It's also about character and morality.
Unless one lives in Italy, France or the Democratic Caucus.
Oct '11
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
I'm a woman and I wasn't alienated. When I heard his comments, they struck me as reasoned, neutral, and not trying to kick a guy when he's down. Far better than a lot of comments he could have made.
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
I'm a faithful husband and I was alienated. I'll spend no time having to gather myself together over the grief Newt feels for poor Herman Cain who got caught.
Not supporting the guy is not the same as kicking him when he's down. Newt went a step too far when he felt for him.
Edited on Nov 30, 2011 at 11:31amDec '10
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Tommy, Me thinks thou dost protest too much. Maybe Newt meant he felt bad that the media were going after Cain in such an unfair way. As it turns out this latest accuser is looking pretty flimsy. Newt has never denied or hidden behind any" I did not have sex with that woman, not a single time, ever". I have been through a divorce, there are two sides to a failed marriage. It is a sexist assumption that it was all based on philandering. If you want to hate Newt Gingrich that is your choice, but I find the personalization with your faithfulness a non sequitur. There is more behind your motivation than Newt's character and morality.
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
What more would be beind my motivation?
Dec '10
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
How should I know? Some deep rooted pain over the effect of someone else's unfaithfulness that kept you from getting a puppy for your birthday, perhaps?
It just strikes me as over the top to disqualify a man because he is unsuccessful in his first two marriages. He is not running for Pope. I do not think he is as morally or ethically disqualified from being a good man or viable candidate for POTUS.
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
Grimaud: How should I know? Some deep rooted pain over the effect of someone else's unfaithfulness that kept you from getting a puppy for your birthday, perhaps?
It just strikes me as over the top to disqualify a man because he is unsuccessful in his first two marriages. He is not running for Pope. I do not think he is as morally or ethically disqualified from being a good man or viable candidate for POTUS. · Dec 1 at 8:42pm
I might not either. But my piece isn't about that. It's about this:
Many people will frown upon (llook at the sinking polls). Newt should be smart enough to know that and not touch it with a 10 foot pole right now. Instead, he took sides with his stumbling opponent,
That's politically stupid, and like it or not, Newt's in the political arena.
Dec '10
Re: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid, Newt
You may be right regarding political calculation. I do not see in the negative light you do but nearly all the liberals will see it that way and apparently a lot of conservatives will buy the negative spin. It may just be human nature to be cynical in this case, I choose not to be.