Gingrich pretends to apologize to Sotomayor…and then claims that she betrayed America’s values.
Gingrich pretends to apologize to Sotomayor…and then claims that she betrayed America’s values.
Last week, Newt Gingrich said that Judge Sonia Sotomayor should withdraw her nomination because she is a “Latina woman racist.” Today, in what several commentators are characterizing as an apology or walk-back, Gingrich clarifies his comments. “The word ‘racist’ should not have been applied to Judge Sotomayor as a person, even if her words themselves are unacceptable,” Gingrich writes in the right-wing Human Events. Rather, Gingrich says, we should view Sotomayor’s words as revealing “a betrayal of a fundamental principle of the American system — that everyone is equal before the law.” Gingrich continues his apology by characterizing her as a “radical”:
So the question we need to ask ourselves in considering Judge Sotomayor’s confirmation is this: Which judge will show up on the Supreme Court, the radical from her speeches or the convention liberal from her rulings? [...]
Has President Obama nominated a conventionally liberal judge to a lifetime tenure on our highest court? Or a radical liberal activist who will cast aside the rule of law in favor of the narrow, divisive politics of race and gender identity?
If Gingrich thinks Sotomayor is going to have trouble putting aside “divisive politics of race and gender identity,” perhaps he can offer her a few pointers. After all, its something that Gingrich has apparently struggled with in the past. (HT: Karen Tumulty)
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you stay classy, Newt.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 am(… perhaps I should have said “you stay gassy , Newt”)
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:46 amGingrich clarifies his comments… “The word ‘racist’ should not have been applied to Judge Sotomayor as a person…
– - Yes, I think “as a person” is Sotomayor’s best bet.
And this qualifies as a full-throated, kneeling before the Left apology as far as Newt is concerned.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:51 am“Pretends” is the appropriate word here.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:54 amNewt has proven over the years too never let the truth get in the way of a good political smear. I as a progressive have concerns about Sotomayor as leaning too far right. We don’t get a turn that often, although it looks like the repugnants are trying to change that. I want a real liberal in there
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:55 amYou know, I think I know what scares the Right Wing even more than terrorists or economic crises… it’s being rendered irrelevant. And as they continue to sink into the morass, they think the only way to reclaim that relevance is by trying to grab headlines by making some of the most asinine statements imaginable.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:56 amThe question we need to ask ourselves in considering Judge Sotomayor’s confirmation is this: Do former speakers or reps have a vote in the confirmation? Are currents reps that do have a vote calling her a radical racist?
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:58 amThis morning’s Port Huron Times Herald called Newt, along with Flush Limpdick racist hatemongers.
Good call Times Herald.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:00 amHey Newt: STFU!!
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:00 amHell, even I’m feeling twinges of racism against old, white men! Why is this disgraced has-been getting so much air time?
PEACE
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:02 amIt’s a classic non-apology. I’m not saying Newt Gingrich is a political hack, just that he will say or do anything to stay in the public eye.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:02 amHas President Obama nominated a conventionally liberal judge [...]? Or a radical liberal activist [...]?
not much of a choice there, according to the wrongbots…
imagine that…
“liberal”!!! aaargh!
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 amI think it’s safe to say that Sotomayor’s nomination has completely flustered the Southern Strategists.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:04 amIf a has-been wingnut writes a nonapology in a wingnut periodical read only by other wingnuts does it make a sound?
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:04 amHas President Obama nominated a conventionally liberal judge to a lifetime tenure on our highest court? Or a radical liberal activist who will cast aside the rule of law in favor of the narrow, divisive politics of race and gender identity?
Ooh! ooh! I can answer this question! It’s the conventional mainstream moderate liberal, because the other one is a fantasy what you made up!
.
Bob Says:
Are currents reps that do have a vote calling her a radical racist?
I haven’t heard a single one. All quotes from people who are actually responsible for an electoral constituency say Sotomayor is going to sail through the nomination process without a hitch. That includes R’s.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:05 amSpeaking of Gingrich, I actually heard Limbaugh say yesterday that if Sotomayor was pro life (he had read something that indicated she might be) that he would drop his criticism and support her nomination.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:05 amSo let me get this straight; it’s OK to be on the Supreme Court and be a racist (according to Limbaugh) as long as you’re pro life.
Props to TP for picking such a great picture to accompany the article:
Newt The Laughing Fat-Ass Buffoon.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:05 amWords Has Consequences:
“Charles Manson is in jail for exactly what Bill O’Reilly has done. Manson never committed a murder. He just suggested it to his followers.”
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:07 amAIO Says:
So let me get this straight; it’s OK to be on the Supreme Court and be a racist (according to Limbaugh) as long as you’re pro life.
A racist pro-life justice? That’s called any R nominee.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:07 am…
no troll support for newtie?
???
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:08 amBob Says:
The question we need to ask ourselves in considering Judge Sotomayor’s confirmation is this: Do former speakers or reps have a vote in the confirmation? Are currents reps that do have a vote calling her a radical racist?
No. Only current Senators have any vote on her confirmation. And not one of them has come up with a rational, fact-based reason for opposing her nomination.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:10 amDuh, like anyone still thinks this windbag waste of skin and bones has anything useful to say.
BUT! He is a legend in his own mind, and he is out standing in his field. I will say that much about him.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:13 amAIO Says:
I actually heard Limbaugh say yesterday that if Sotomayor was pro life (he had read something that indicated she might be) that he would drop his criticism and support her nomination.
So let me get this straight; it’s OK to be on the Supreme Court and be a racist (according to Limbaugh) as long as you’re pro life.
So much for that litmus test argument the wingers were so up in arms about with Roberts and Alito.
PEACE
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:13 amI wish to Dog that ugly slimy slug would STFU.
GO AWAY, NEWT!!!!!
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:17 amoe cantwell Says: no troll support for newtie?
will this raise your spirits, joe?
Newt Gingrich believes in the sanctity of marriage so much he bgot married three times! Can Sotomayor say the same! Of course not.! You LOOSE, you loosing loosers!
Gosh it’s not as easy as it looks.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:17 amSorry Newt, Judge Sotomayor is far from being a “liberal” in her rulings.
It sounds like someone has taken Newt to the wood shed. I think the sitting politicians are finally coming to the realization that sliming Judge Sotomayor is doing the party more harm than good. Now, if they can just get Boss Limbaugh into that wood shed….
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:17 amBob Says:
The question we need to ask ourselves in considering Judge Sotomayor’s confirmation is this: Do former speakers or reps have a vote in the confirmation? Are currents reps that do have a vote calling her a radical racist?
The plan was to send out the has-been politicians and the talk radio smear merchants to go after Judge Sotomayor. The sitting politicians really thought that by doing that, they could act all reasonable but the smears would still be out there. I think they are coming to the realization that no matter who is doing it, alienating Hispanics and women IS NOT A GOOD IDEA!
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:20 am“Rather, Gingrich says, we should view Sotomayor’s words as revealing “a betrayal of a fundamental principle of the American system — that everyone is equal before the law.”
Everyone only includes white, old, descended from european stock or male. Right, Newt?
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:22 amI hope Republicans never stop their endless, mindless, increasingly voter-repelling verbal gems like these. It will make future elections even easier to win for the Dems.
The more they struggle to be relevant, the deeper the GOP sinks into the political quicksand. Oh well, at least your run was monetarily profitable while it lasted, right Republicans?
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 amEvery time Newt appears on a show, it would be great to have a best of clip run at the introduction…
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 ampimped out Says:
WASHINGTON – The U.S. military’s failure to follow tightened rules for aerial strikes likely caused civilian deaths in a May 4 American bombing in western Afghanistan, a defense official said Wednesday.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:13 am
__________
I am outraged by the continued civilian deaths in Afghanistan.
Now you can no longer say that there is no progressive outrage over the continued civilian deaths in Afghanistan.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:30 am“America’s values!” Neuter do you mean what you did to your first wife?
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:33 am…
pimpie,
with you as a “supporter”
no wonder newtie had
to apologize.
***
what a big help you are,
crater face.
:)
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:35 amI’m very much hoping that we can get a confirmation hearing in before the August recess. The fringe is piling on and we could do without the hate rallying for an entire summer. They’ve yet to get down to basing full-time their criticism on her 4,000+ decisions.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:36 amGingrich is nothing but a hypocritical lying opportunist. He should be yesterdays news with yesterdays ideas.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:37 amGingrich is the most ignorant history professor I’ve ever seen/heard. He thinks everyone has forgotten about his reputation so he continues to critize Sotomayor when he couldn’t hold a candle next to her.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:40 amNewtie, Newtie, Newtie… give it up.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:42 amWhat a has been fool.
…
pimpie come on back,
you’re not a crater face.
i was just kidding.
:)
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:49 amhormiga brava chavez Says: Gingrich is the most ignorant history professor I’ve ever seen/heard. He thinks everyone has forgotten about his reputation so he continues to critize Sotomayor when he couldn’t hold a candle next to her.
I have to defend Gingrich here. I think Gingrich can hold a candle next to anyone. In fact, I think “candlabra” is the best employment for Gingrich.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:50 amLooks like the GOP is going the way of the Whigs!
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:50 amNot enough of them, apparently.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:50 amSo … Gingrich kinda-sorta apologizes for lying about what Sotomayor said, only to lie about what Obama and Gibbs said about what she said.
Bearing false witness again.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:54 amJeffy Bovine, what took you so long?
I mean, you could just save yourself the trouble of actually typing something stupid as you did a few posts above.
Just post your name Jeff M. = Jeffy Bovine = Habib = Archie = royal king = olby sucks = pimped out = etc.
You’ll receive the same amount of abuse by your name alone.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:01 pmWe won’t be getting apologies from prominent people. That’s a sign of weakness. No, it’s best to hint at an apology and have others in the party claim it to be an apology.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:03 pmWhy exactly does Gingrich think he is at all relevant?
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:04 pm50 buzzbomb
He thinks he is a bigger lard ass than Limpo because he actually held some elected posts.
As opposed to Limpo, the de-facto Grand White As$ leader of them pubbies.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:06 pmNewt resigned for American value problems — dont forget it.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:38 pmjoe cantwell says:
pimpie come back
you’re not a crater face
i was just kidding
I’m not
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:43 pmsnark
I think thats why Newt likes to write alternative history books with another fictional history writer named Forstchen
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:44 pmclaims that she betrayed America’s values.”
Well, you slimy lizard…you did betray your marriage vows and cheat on your wife…
…Newt is a total a$shole.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:52 pmobama kills civilians……
Um….are you really so idiotic? I believe when Bush was in office you fellas called this “collateral damage.” Now suddenly it bothers you? Hypocrite, as usual.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 pmCome on, Newt, admit it. When you derogatorily refer to Judge Sotomayor as a “Latina woman racist,” it’s not the “racist” part to which you’re objecting. In other words, Newt, in your demented and soulless world only white male racists such as yourself need apply.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:24 pmpimp:
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:30 pmDid you try bondo to fill the craters in your face?
I can’t comprehend, other than “American media is totally compromised”, any explanation as to why these completely predictable mud-slingers are even allowed on TV.
The Gingrich thing is so transparent. He’s an attack dog. He “goes there” and waits to see the reaction. If the the mud doesn’t stick, he backs off a bit. He’s essentially a scout who, because he holds no political office, can afford to put himself out there and test the waters for his elected brothers-in-hate.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:33 pmpimped out Says:
Now suddenly it bothers you?
Where did I say that? You were the loons who cried your eyes out every time a ‘civilian’ died when Bush was president. Now when many civilians die the silence is deafening. SHOCKER!
***
you picked them.
you squeezed them.
you ate chocolate.
you ate mayonnaise.
now look at yourself.
you have no one to blame
but you!
…
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:35 pm…
ps – i’m glad you’re back pimpy.
i’m sorry i made you cry.
friends?
:)
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:37 pmNewt sure is a busy little beaver these days. Must be between wives.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pmNow suddenly it bothers you?
Where did I say that? You were the loons who cried your eyes out every time a ‘civilian’ died when Bush was president. Now when many civilians die the silence is deafening. SHOCKER!
Um, hon….you just said it right there. If “we” were “loons” for our anger at civilian deaths in Bush’s war of choice, you obviously think that “collateral damage” wasn’t a problem even though Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, had no ties to al Qaeda, and had no WMDs.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 pmpimped out Says:
WASHINGTON – The U.S. military’s failure to follow tightened rules for aerial strikes likely caused civilian deaths in a May 4 American bombing in western Afghanistan, a defense official said Wednesday……
No secular progressive outrage? Why would that be? Hypocrites to the max? Indeed. Pathetic to say the least!
Well, the rules were tightened, so it looks like the politicians did their jobs. The military screwed up implementing the rules. But it’s being reported on, so hopefully they’ll fix that too.
Nobody was complaining about field errors. Just the on-purpose stuff that BushCo did. Like starting an unjustifiable war in Iraq. Or torturing people. Raping children, etc. That all came directly from the White House.
I think you really have a problem trying to understand us. We’re not absolutely “for the military” or “against the military.” We have more than one on/off brain cell with which to form our opinions. I would try to explain how cognitive brain functions work to you, but somehow I think I’d be wasting my time.
.
pimped out Says:
Sept is a loooong ways away. LOL!
What happens in September? LOL? You and your wingnut cronies have some terrorist act planned or something?
.
cdwriteme Says:
The Gingrich thing is so transparent. He’s an attack dog. He “goes there” and waits to see the reaction. If the the mud doesn’t stick, he backs off a bit.
That’s how they all work – classic schoolyard bully behavior. Any time anybody addresses their charges and stands up to them, they tuck tail and slither back under their rock.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:50 pmvia C&L:
UPDATE:
Rush reacts to Newt’s backtracking on Sotomayor “racist” charge: “I’m not retracting it.”
LIMBAUGH: Have my words been too strong on Sotomayor? Are you asking me because Newt has retracted his — no, my words have not been too strong. I just heard right before the program started. I didn’t have a chance to do a lot of show prep late because of the Hannity interview, so I — after the interview, I checked my email, and three members of the state-run media has sent me emails wanting my reaction to Newt’s retraction of calling Sotomayor a racist, and I didn’t know that he had, and I didn’t know why he had retracted it, and I still don’t. But — what did he say? Why did he retract it? Did he say that he thought the word was too harsh or — well, I have my own theory about what Newt’s doing, but since I’m not doing it, I’m not going to comment.
I’m not retracting it. Nobody’s refuted it. You know, they’re out there saying, “It’s too harsh. It’s distracting, Rush. I mean, it’s calling — you know, you just don’t want to use the word.” Why? If the word means something — words mean things — and if it fits, I use it. Now, they may say, “Don’t say it, Rush. Dial it back a little bit.” But nobody’s saying I’m wrong. Nobody’s saying I’m making it up. I mean, when she says she’d do a better job than a white guy, what is it? It’s racism, reverse racism, whatever, but it’s still racism. She would bring a form of racism, bigotry to the court.
“state-run media”???
is that, then, reverse psychology? or some such…?
he is a master of the bullshitters, i guess…
“listen to me… i’m the best… i, and only i, am telling you the truth… only listen to me… i know what you want to hear… i am the only one you should pay attention to… i will tell you all you need to know… it is i, folks… it’s all about me… el rushbo…”
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:24 pmnewtie getrich. Ah, that pillar of modern KKKonservanazi republiKKKan morals.
He and druggie limpblaugh need to keep running those moderates out of the party. It’s weaking their “no” stance with those types hanging around acting like somewhat decent human beings.
BTW, I wonder who newtie is banging now. He always commits adultery while married to his current wife.
Nothing like good ole KKKonservanazi Christian principles.
“When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag carrying a cross.” Sinclair Lewis
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:01 pmrush is changing is stance so he doesn’t look so much more the idiot than he already is when Sotomayor is confirmed.
Who can believe what comes out of the leader of the KKKonservanazis mouth.
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:04 pmHot For Teacher is the musical cue for the Newt Experience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0XLKcMoXRE
June 4th, 2009 at 3:17 am