Newt's "Shop of Horrors"

In a New York Times online piece, Timothy Egan, explains Newt's relationship to SuperPacs and to the Citizens United case that unleashed unlimited corporate campaign spending.

Not only did Newt tutor his colleagues in the House in negative campaign tactics, he was a big supporter of the Citizens United case, calling it "one of the best examples of a genuine strategy that I’ve seen in the years I’ve been in Washington,” and producing a video saying, "Please join Citizens United and me in our fight for the First Amendment rights of every American.”

Now the chickens have come home to roost; the shop of horrors has turned on it's creator. Newt got shellacked by SuperPacs in Iowa. Of course, I contend that the effect of all those negative ads was more devastating to Newt because it was all true.

But now Newt is playing the outraged victim to the hilt -- and he still doesn't seem to understand that he played any part in bringing it about. Narcissists never do. It's always the world that is out of step with them.

Egan ends with this memorable line, referring to the legacy of unlimited corporate campaign money unleashed by the Citizens United decision:

"Among the losers, Gingrich has the least credibility complaining of the effects. What happened to him in Iowa is not what he wished for, but it is certainly what he asked for."

Hear, hear !!

Ralph