With his recent surge in the polls, Newt Gingrich’s campaign has begun to issue statements defending his past indiscretions -- including his extramarital affair.
In a candid and unconventional move, Newt’s website addresses the recent comparisons between his and Bill Clinton’s infidelity, noting that Newt pursued Clinton’s impeachment not for his wandering eye, but for committing perjury.
“Opponents often try to delegitimize Newt Gingrich by pointing out that he had admitted to having an extramarital affair during the impeachment of President Bill Clinton,” notes a new page on Gingrich’s campaign website that is devoted to explaining past controversies involving the Republican White House hopeful.
“What these accusers are ignoring is that the impeachment proceedings against President Clinton were due to the fact that the president committed perjury in front of a sitting federal judge, which is a felony. As the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Newt felt that he had a duty to uphold the rule of law by pursuing impeachment. He stands by that decision today.”
As a rising candidate in the GOP field, Newt is sure to face fresh scrutiny for his long and, at times, contentious record.
The site also addresses the rumors that Newt served his first wife divorce papers while she was in the hospital seeking treatment for life-threatening cancer -- a story their daughter Jackie Gingrich Cushman addresses here -- and a number of questions pertaining to policy issues, such as health care and his involvement with Freddie Mac.
Newt’s debate performances have won him a number of new fans, so if he maintains his current position, he could pose a challenge to current leader Mitt Romney. And while he may be no Bill Clinton, Newt does seem to be 2012’s Comeback Kid.