Newt explains it all away

More on Newt's slippery evasion of responsibility for who he is and what he has done.   He's been peddling this idea that, because he has confessed his "mistakes" to God, everybody should just overlook his past bad behavior.  He has put it behind him.  It's sad that not everyone else can, but unfortunately that's the price one has to pay when one offers himself as the savior of the nation.  And Newt and Callista have decided they're willing to make this sacrifice for the good of the country and what they believe in.
 
Now he's even trying to turn his philandering into an asset.  In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, he said this:

". . . I have not hidden from the facts of my life. . . . I have had to go to God for forgiveness and for reconciliation.

“And I think most people can identify, either with themselves or with loved ones, that life has moments that are very sad, you wish wouldn’t have occurred. And you look back on them and you seek forgiveness for not having done everything you could have.

“So, I think in that sense, it may make me more normal than somebody who wanders around seeming perfect and maybe not understanding the human condition, and the challenges of life for normal people.”

Newt plays this part of the redeemed sinner beautifully, with just the right amount of humility and sorrow over his plight of having this burden.   But look at the bright side:   "it may make me more normal than [Romney] who wanders around seeming perfect and maybe not understanding the human condition, and the challenges of life for normal people."


But think about what he says:   He's not really responsible for his bad behavior.  "Life has moments that . .  . you wish had not occurred" -- that's not taking responsibility.   And "you seek forgiveness for not having done everything you could."   That sounds like an overworked surgeon in the ER regretting he couldn't have done more to save the horribly injured accident victim.  Newt isn't the surgeon;  he's the guy who caused the wreck.


And then, the final audacity:  Newt says his experience gives him a better understanding of life for "normal people."    So what Newt did is just part of "normal" life? 

But, even putting aside Newt's reprehensible behavior with his former wives, there are more than enough character flaws and unsuitabilities of temperament to render him unqualified for the office of president. 

His one leadership role as Speaker of the House ended when his own party voted overwhelmingly to oust him.  Similarly, his own campaign staff resigned en masse last summer.  He has no leadership qualities, only the ability to arouse resentment.  While that may appeal to a certain resentful base, as a nominee for president he would be a disaster.

So -- shall we hope the Republicans make the mistake of nominating Newt for president?   I don't know.   The prospect of some national tragedy or economic collapse happening during the next nine months -- sweeping Obama's opponent into the White House -- is just too scary to want to risk that possibility.

Ralph