Does Anyone Think Gingrich is a Good Person?

repeter said:

I agree, but I can't imagine Gingrich actually doing something so good that it would outweight the fact that he cheated on two wives, while both were seriously ill and in need of support. If the man is despicable enough to do that, to be that selfish and immoral, I really would consider whether he would do good for it's own sake. To me, this is a case where, despite not having the entire picture, what I do have is enough to draw conclusions from.

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I've known a number of good people in my life that, when it comes to matters of relationships and lustful emotions make stupid and downright bad decisions. Is it likely that Newt is a bad person? Sure. That said, I've known people who were drug addicts, alcoholics, womanizers, cheaters, and even crooks who 10+ years later were living good and decent lives. I've known people who definitely have done BAD things but also are good friends and even perhaps reliable or do good things in the community. Newt's a politician whose indiscretions became major news items...items which, frankly, I think the sensationalized versions of significantly cloud the public perception in regards to what the actual true story is (For example, the idiocy that so many push of his first wife being on her "Death bed", fully believing that particular bit of completely fabricated truth).

Bill Clinton lied under oath, cheated on his wife seemingly numerous times, used his position and title to help seduce a subordinate causing her life to turn into a whirlwind of negative opinion, amongst other things...and yet I wouldn't sit here and suggest that he's a "bad guy" either. At the time of the act, for either of them? Perhaps...but **** from 10+ years ago is hard to use as a designation for how someone is today, and even at the time it'd be honestly a bit difficult to make a realistic and honest determination of something so broad as a "good" or "bad' person. While I think cheating on a spouse is a bad thing, on the level of "unquestionable bad that just out does anything good you can ever do" its not that high on the list.

I suspect in real life he's decent enough in most of his day to day actions, but, like many of us, has made some screwups that have hurt people. I don't think I'm any better of a person than he is. I've made mistakes that have hurt people, but I've learned, made amends, and have moved on. I voted that he's probably basically a good person. It's just his politics that stink. I would never vote for him. Unfortunately, when you give someone political power, he'll often use it to hurt people when he wouldn't have in his ordinary life. For example, I don't for an instant think Gingrich would ever personally tie someone down and torture him. However, as president would he ever authorize the torture of an "enemy combatant" or a "suspected terrorist"? Yes, I strongly suspect he would.

He is human slime. His parents must have had a premonition while choosing his name.

When assessing whether someone is a good person, for me, everyone gets the benefit of the doubt until then do something completely heinous. Like murder/genocide/rape/etc... and show that they are beyond rehabilitation. Therefore, I see the vast majority of people as good people (who sometimes do bad things)... Newt included.

phattonez said:

I really have a tough time saying people are not good. It seems to me that the same could just as easily be said about me. I may not like the guy, but I'm not going to cast judgment.

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Gingrich has placed himself in a National open public forum and that is an invitation to judge. He's a lousy husband, censored by his own party for ethics violations, Now a casino magnate seems to be buying the franchise on a man with ethics violations in the past. Heaven forbid, Let's not draw hasty conclusions, eh? Scumbag does seem appropriate.

Newt is a egomaniac who feels he has something on others simply cause he is Newt. Well guess what Newt? Everyone is on to you and you are crap and had the nerve to talk out both sides your mouth about others while you were doing the same things they were. Is he a good person? Nope. Does he have a lotta self-love? Yep. This joker is an ego tripping prick.

repeter said:

I know plenty of you are going to come into this thread thinking, "who cares if he's a good person, its about whether he could be a good President." If that's how you feel, okay, I respect that, but that's not the question here. The topic is whether he is or is not a good person. I was just really curious, because I haven't seen this question addressed seriously before, though I admit I haven't been on DP very much this election season.

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Not enough knowledge to know for sure. Is he a "nice" person? Definitely not.

Kali said:

Newt is a egomaniac who feels he has something on others simply cause he is Newt. Well guess what Newt? Everyone is on to you and you are crap and had the nerve to talk out both sides your mouth about others while you were doing the same things they were. Is he a good person? Nope. Does he have a lotta self-love? Yep. This joker is an ego tripping prick.

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I don't think it is such big deal that Newt is very impressed with himself. What I do think is a big deal is that he has not stepped beyond the pandering.

DiAnna said:

He is human slime. His parents must have had a premonition while choosing his name.

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His name is Newton, which is quite a nice name, but I guess it didn't suit him so he got one that does.

repeter said:

I know plenty of you are going to come into this thread thinking, "who cares if he's a good person, its about whether he could be a good President." If that's how you feel, okay, I respect that, but that's not the question here. The topic is whether he is or is not a good person. I was just really curious, because I haven't seen this question addressed seriously before, though I admit I haven't been on DP very much this election season.

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Good or bad? You judge

What I do know is.....All politicians (left, right, etc) are extremely smart, savvy and ruthless.

To dismiss them as otherwise is naive.

grip said:

If Obama was a good person did it make him a good President?

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A good person doesn't necessarily make a good President, but a bad person definitely won't.

I think Obama does make a better President than Bush II or god forbid a President Cheney. Bush is not a bad person, but he was clueless due to his religious ideology. His administration's policy regarding abstinence only in both America and Africa have consequences that hurt real people. Reversing these policies alone is doing good. The idea that Obama's policies delayed the recession is completely unsupported, the recession could have been much worse. Presidents don't have that much clout over the economy despite what both sides like to claim. The fact is America is facing a structural change, it cannot compete with developing country for low end manufacturing jobs.


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nonpareil said:

A good person doesn't necessarily make a good President, but a bad person definitely won't.

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Quote for truth.

Viktyr Korimir said:

He's a hypocritical, petty, vindictive, sanctimonious son of a bitch. But at least he can keep a straight face when he lies to us about loving this country; if the President tried it, he'd damned well catch fire.

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Unfortunately, he's the only conservative ranked at the top.

I think he's a good person, but I also think he has a few screws loose.