One of the few “perks” of former Members of the House – pretty much the only one, actually -- is that we can go to the Floor of the House whenever the House is in session. Return to the scene of the crime, so to speak.
That’s always fun. I remember when Newt Gingrich did it a year ago.
By way of background, Newt Gingrich went on Fox News and called me “fundamentally dishonorable.” Twice. In case you didn’t hear him the first time.
Remember, it was Newt Gingrich who went to the hospital to demand a divorce from his cancer-stricken wife, so that Gingrich could marry the woman with whom he’d been having an affair. And it was Gingrich who condemned President Clinton for having an affair, at the same time that Gingrich was having another affair.
Newt may be “married,” but it’s not the way that you and I think of married. He has disavowed his vows. You almost need a scorecard to keep up with all the times he scores.
When Gingrich was asked to explain this behavior on TV last month, he could have said – should have said -- “because I’m fundamentally dishonorable.” But no, Gingrich said that it was because he loved America so much. Well, certain females in America, anyway.
So Gingrich came to the Floor of the House a year ago. I went nowhere near him. I just don’t like the smell of sulfur. But another member, whom I like very much, told me that she wanted to introduce me. I said, “no, that’s OK, thanks anyway. I really don’t know what to say to him.” But she insisted.
She introduced me to Newt.
I said to him, “you look like you’ve gained a lot of weight.”
Newt stared at me.
I said, “I remember you being much slimmer back in the 1990’s. When you were relevant.”
Newt scowled at me, and walked away. Good comeback, Newt. By the way, Newt Gingrich scowls just the way you would expect Newt Gingrich to scowl.
I would like to think that that light little love-tap on Newt Gingrich’s ego may have pushed him just a tiny bit toward running for President. Which is great. Because Newt is really going to be hammered. If it’s an eight-person field, Newt will finish ninth.
It’s the Giuliani Effect. The more you know Newt, the more you hate him.
In 1980, John Connally spent $11 million running for President, and won one delegate to the Republican Convention – Ada Mills, of Clarksville, Arkansas. I think that Newt is going top Connally.
But that’s enough about Newt. This note is actually about you. Yes, you.
Don’t look behind you; I’m talking to you.
Next week, I’m going to Washington, DC, and I will visit the Floor of the House. And since I will be seeing the high and mighty, I would like to know whether there is anything that you want me to tell them. If so, click here.
Courage,
Alan Grayson