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“I Think Grandiose Thoughts”
The more I see Newt Gingrich out there on the stump, the more I like him. The more I think, “Okay, this could actually happen.“
He’s clearly won not just the debate, but the contest of ideas, and the exhibition of passion. He can think on his feet, he’s fearless, and does anyone doubt that he would clean Barack Obama’s clock in the debates this autumn?
Still: he makes me nervous. I’m just being honest, here, Gingrich supporters.
So, reposted here, without comment, is this morning’s press release from Romney World, in which Speaker Gingrich compares himself to, among others, Moses, Pericles, Charles De Gaulle, and a viking:
Speaker Gingrich Has Compared Himself to a Litany of Historical Leaders: Ronald Reagan And Margaret Thatcher: “Gingrich said he learned a lot about himself in the political wilderness. … In the same breath, he compares himself to two conservative giants. With Gingrich, humility has its limits. ‘Because I am much like Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, I’m such an unconventional political figure that you really need to design a unique campaign that fits the way I operate and what I’m trying to do.’” (Jim Acosta, “Newt Gingrich Back From The Brink,” CNN.com, 11/16/11)
Abraham Lincoln: “Gingrich began his speech with remarks in which he predicted an economic recovery ‘literally’ the night Republicans would send Barack Obama home, and then announced, ‘I begin as Lincoln did.’ He argued that, like Lincoln, all his ideas came out of the Declaration of Independence.” (Jason Horowitz, “Newt Gingrich Draws Contrast With Romney,” The Washington Post, 12/1/11)
Woodrow Wilson: “He earned a PhD in history and taught college before winning a seat in Congress. He has often spoken of himself as a historian. In 1995, he told CNN’s Bob Franken: ‘I am the most seriously professorial politician since Woodrow Wilson.’” (John Pitney, “Five Myths About Newt Gingrich,” The Washington Post, 11/22/11)
Henry Clay: “Putting his tumultuous four years in the speaker’s chair into historical perspective, the former history professor compared himself to 19th century statesman Henry Clay, ‘the great compromiser’ who lost three bids for the presidency and served as speaker and secretary of State. Gingrich said that like Clay, he did more than just preside over the House. ‘I was not a presider, I was the leader,’ Gingrich said in the interview. ‘I think Henry Clay’s probably the only other speaker to have been a national leader and a speaker of the House simultaneously.’” (William Welch, “Gingrich: I’ll Go Down As Leader, Clinton As Tragedy,” USA Today, 8/30/99)
Charles De Gaulle: “‘At one point, I asked Gingrich, now a healthful-looking 65, about his sudden exit from Congress in 1998. ‘First of all, in the Toynbeean sense, I believe in departure and return,’ he told me. ‘In the what sense?’ I asked. ‘Arnold Toynbee,’ he replied matter-of-factly, referring to the English writer Arnold J. Toynbee, who wrote ‘A Study of History.’ ‘I believe in the sense that, you know, De Gaulle had to go to Colombey-les-Deux-Églises for 11 years.’ ‘I’m sorry?’ ‘Departure and return. And someone once said to me, if you don’t leave, you can’t come back, because you’ve never left.’” (Matt Bai, “Newt. Again.” New York Times Magazine, 2/25/09)
William Wallace: “‘If you go out and see what’s happening in the Tea Party, the last thing you want is a passionless election,’ Gingrich says, then refers to the epic movie about the battle for Scottish independence in the 13th century. ‘Remember Braveheart? These people want somebody who plants a flag in the ground, gives a speech and yells “Charge!” That is, someone like him.” (Susan Page, “Rising From The Pack, Gingrich Invites Scrutiny,” USA Today, 11/21/11)
Pericles: “In a long interview on May 4, 1992, devoted almost exclusively to the topic of Gingrich, [former White House aide Richard] Darman concluded that Gingrich was ‘an unstable personality’ who talks about four or five great people in history, including Pericles and himself.” (Bob Woodward, “In His Debut In Washington’s Power Struggles, Gingrich Threw A Bomb,” The Washington Post, 12/24/11)
The Duke Of Wellington: “Obsessed recently with Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, [Gingrich] likened the appropriations triumph to the way the British expeditionary force maneuvered against the French during the Peninsular War, a campaign in Portugal and Spain in the early 1800s that eventually led to Wellington’s ascendance and Napoleon’s abdication.” (Michael Weisskopf and David Maraniss, “In A Moment Of Crisis, The Speaker Persuades,” The Washington Post, 8/13/95)
A Viking: “With his machine-gun staccato delivery, [Gingrich] is the center of attention. He terms himself a ‘Viking.’” (“Gingrich Delivers For GOP Faithful,” South Bend Tribune, 7/28/95)
Thomas Edison: “Once he took over GOPAC in 1986, the organization became what he called the creative thinking and research group of the Republican Party. ‘We are on the way to becoming the Bell Labs of politics,’ Mr. Gingrich proclaimed. ‘That’s the closest model you can find to what we do, and nobody else is in that business. The first thing you need at Bell Labs is a Thomas Edison, and the second thing you need is a real understanding of how you go from scientific theory to a marketable product.’” (Katharine Q. Seelye, “Birth Of A Vision,” The New York Times, 12/3/95)
Vince Lombardi: “By four in the morning, [Gingrich] had moved on to football metaphors. What the Republicans had accomplished, Gingrich said, was like the old Green Bay Packers sweep during the days of Coach Vince Lombardi: The opposition knows you are going to run at them, but they cannot stop you. Lombardi, Gingrich said, believed that the team that doesn’t break in the fourth quarter wins.” (Michael Weisskopf and David Maraniss, “In A Moment Of Crisis, The Speaker Persuades,” The Washington Post, 8/13/95)
The Wright Brothers: “At that dinner, held in a convention center in Johnston, Gingrich sought to add more emotional lift into his stump speech. ‘I am asking you to embark with me on a voyage of invention and discovery,’ he said, ‘to be as bold and as brave as the Wright brothers.’” (Jason Horowitz, “Newt Gingrich Draws Contrast With Romney,” The Washington Post, 12/1/11)
Moses: “On this night, Gingrich congratulated his troops on standing united and inspired them with stories about Charles de Gaulle’s heroism and George Washington at Valley Forge … At one point, he likened himself, lightheartedly, to Moses. He’d help them cross the Red Sea once again, Gingrich vowed, but only if they promised, this time, to stay on the other side.” (Matt Bai, “Newt. Again.” New York Times Magazine, 2/25/09)
I want a president who thinks big. But I also want a president who doesn’t think he’s a viking. Or am I being too choosy?
Published in General
“Go sit in the corner. I’m not finished yet. I’m coming for you next.” ·12 minutes ago
I think you mean POTUS?
That’s what I tell the children when they complain that I have contradicted myself. Love that quote, lots of good mileage in it…
Face it, both Romney and Newt are weird people who have lived their lives with the idea that they deserved to be president. But so have most of our presidents. There should be a personality disorder named after this.
In these two specific cases, I think you are undoubtedly right. Moreover, I think that some form of narcissism is prevalent among our political class today.
But, you know, somethings do stick in my craw about this charge, and not the least of which is the tendency of our therapeutic society today to reduce everything to personality disorders.
So, at the risk of wandering off topic, here’s my challenge, Mollie (et al): Is this exactly the same personality trait that we see in some of history’s great leaders; say Churchill, for example? Or is there something to distinguish the way a Churchill carries himself from the way that Romney or Gingrich carry themselves? [Full disclosure, I think there was: but seeing it requires a return to older categories of soul-analysis].
Oh, and no fair! You can’t say “no one thought Churchill was ‘Churchill’ at the time.” At least one person did: his name was Winston Churchill.
And — for the record — I’m a tad disappointed Newt hasn’t compared himself to some famous ancient historians: Tacitus, Herodotus, Thucydides, Funk and Wagnall.
Newt’s just better at it than they are.
Three thoughts:
Most candidates for the presidency are narcissistic (including Newt and Mitt). But, having said that, there are degrees, and Newt sits at the near-delusional end of the spectrum (right next to Patton, who, I believe, thought he was the reincarnation of Hannibal).
I don’t recall Romney ever making the kinds of comparisons of himself to the grea figures of history t that Newt does. So, where MItt’s narcissism may be comparable to a bad cold, Newt’s is like the black plague.
Finally, look at their lives. We know Newt’s (wives, adultery). Has he given much of himself? Mitt has served as a Mormon Bishop (a position I served in for 5 years) and as a Stake President (8-9 years). You don’t accept these “callings” for fun, money, or for the honors of men–you accept them to serve others. It is the opposite of the public life–most of your time is spent administering through private meetings and one-on-one counseling.
Pseudodionysius: I’d like to see him slap TOTUS around for awhile during a CNN debate. He’d likely tell John King:
“Go sit in the corner. I’m not finished yet. I’m coming for you next.” ·12 minutes ago
I meant TOTUS, as in Teleprompter Of The United States. I believe Iowahawk did an entire riff on that theme once.
When Reagan had his famous microphone moment at the debates (I paid for this microphone), people sensed a spine of steel beneath the sunny disposition. While the moment may turn out to be too manufactured, I sense the same thing with respect to Gingrich: underneath the grandiosity, pomposity, marital disasters, Mediterranean cruise ships, etc, they sense a spine of steel and a thin reed of hope worth clinging to.
To paraphrase Scott Reusser: People are beginning to sense Newt may just have the right amount of crazy to pull this off, and right now he’s channeling the Rocky Balboa v Apollo Creed vibe and people are responding to it.
I don’t recall Romney ever making the kinds of comparisons of himself to the grea figures of history t that Newt does. So, where MItt’s narcissism may be comparable to a bad cold, Newt’s is like the black plague.
Again, read that list closely. Most of them are merely historical allusions. He isn’t saying he is just like these people; he is mainly speaking of those times and situations. And a few of them are just hearsay — i.e., what other say Newt says about himself.
Romney is desperate. I am ready to predict that he’s coming in third in SC, behind Newt and Ron Paul.
Mama Toad
Pseudodionysius: I’d like to see him slap TOTUS around for awhile during a CNN debate. He’d likely tell John King:
“Go sit in the corner. I’m not finished yet. I’m coming for you next.” ·12 minutes ago
Thanks for the clarification!
Nice touch with the Grey Hair EJ. Could you set it to the George Michael track “Freedom”?
Newt Gingerich starring on Broadway as Walter Mitty!
tabula rasa
Romney is desperate. I am ready to predict that he’s coming in third in SC, behind Newt and Ron Paul. ·0 minutes ago
From your keyboard to God’s ears…
I’ve only got 10 more minutes of ducking actual work but I just wanted to remind everyone of the Saturday Night Live skit a few years back where Donald Rumsfeld so terrified the Press Corps (“we drop bombs on people to kill them”) that they had everyone hiding under their chairs while Rummy yelled:
“Anymore questions? Anyone? Anyone?”
Looks like life is now imitating art.
DrewInWisconsin
tabula rasa
And I’m currently working at church, so God is just down the hallway.
I entirely agree with DrewInWisconsin. Much of this is referencing great historical leaders. We WANT a president who can see himself in the context of history, who can learn from history, who seeks to imitate the great examples of the past. Of course he’s arrogant. But I doubt you could pull off running for president without an extraordinary amount of self-confidence. This is a non-issue.
Gotta hand it to Newt though, the press throws their best shots at him and he demolishes them. Romney gets hit with questions so predictable that Ray Charles could have seen them coming, and he’s on his heels immediately. This is not a good sign.
Finally, look at their lives. We know Newt’s (wives, adultery). Has he given much of himself? Mitt has served as a Mormon Bishop (a position I served in for 5 years) and as a Stake President (8-9 years). You don’t accept these “callings” for fun, money, or for the honors of men–you accept them to serve others. It is the opposite of the public life–most of your time is spent administering through private meetings and one-on-one counseling. ·22 minutes ago
Ummm…. Unless my Bible is broken, Jesus spent a huge amount of time complaining about people who did all that for all the reasons you say they dont. Not that I am saying Romney is such a person, only that in general people can, do and will.
Geez, do I have to spell it out for you guys in the press? F-A-T-H-E-R of the Country!
There are all kinds of people that Newt hasn’t compared himself to.
That list fits the Current Occupant much better. We need someone who can point that out, and make it stick.
Romney gets hit with questions so predictable that Ray Charles could have seen them coming, and he’s on his heels immediately.
If he makes it past Obama — which I doubt — his nickname will be President Whifflebat the way he fans these slow pitch throws. I’m beginning to think he needs to be photographed in a leather jacket, with slicked back hair, riding a Harley, cigarette hanging out of his mouth and a bottle of Jack Daniels behind him just slightly out of focus.
(No twist of lime or goofy mix for Mitt Rockney, the Biker President who stars in hardboiled takeover novels. He delivers the balance sheets, cash flows and income statements straight up. And check out that blonde number named Coulter behind him. Name’s Ann. Tough dame. Just like Mitt.)
For the love of humanity, Mitt – throw a punch!
“Go sit in the corner. I’m not finished yet. I’m coming for you next.” ·12 minutes ago
I think you mean POTUS? ·3 minutes ago
I meant TOTUS, as in Teleprompter Of The United States. I believe Iowahawk did an entire riff on that theme once. ·25 minutes ago
Or, “Telepromptee ?”
But I doubt you could pull off running for president without an extraordinary amount of self-confidence.
Well put. I think you’ve have to be borderline deranged to run in this media hell hole which is why everyone else took a pass. Its a Chicago knife fight in November, and Repubs are starting to rally around the guy with the biggest gun. All the cops left town (Christie, Daniels and Ryan), so its the thugs duking it out now.
tabula rasa
What do you mean doing “all that”? Counseling with husband and wife to help save their marriage? Counseling with a young person who is questioning his or her faith? Christ condemned giving alms in public that you may be seen. The positions that Mitt held in the Mormon Church bear no resemblance to that. What about the other question: what has Newt ever done that wasn’t all about Newt?
Or great law enforcers: Eliot Ness, Joe Friday, Barney Fife.
In the famous last words department we have Vespasian: “I think I’m becoming a god.”
Alas, humility is rarely a presidential virtue. Does this mean we’re already in the imperial phase of U.S. history? We already have the requisite Vandals and Goths within our borders. And Nero in the White House.
Frank Drebin
I will do it with my spear and magic helmet!
What do you mean doing “all that”? Counseling with husband and wife to help save their marriage? Counseling with a young person who is questioning his or her faith? Christ condemned giving alms in public that you may be seen. The positions that Mitt held in the Mormon Church bear no resemblance to that. What about the other question: what has Newt ever done that wasn’t all about Newt? ·4 minutes ago
Yes, one can do everything you describe and do it for ones own personal esteem. I am not making an attack on Romney, I am merely pointing out that your generalization is not entirely true, and even if entirely true group properties do not inherantly transfer to any individual component of the group.
Since I made no specific statement on Romney, I dont feel compelled to argue newt.
What about the other question: what has Newt ever done that wasn’t all about Newt?
I’m sure the purchases from Tiffany’s were all about Callista.
(Ooo . . . I’m going to hell for that one.)