When it was discovered that 2008 presidential candidate, John Edwards, had an affair as his wife was fighting cancer, he became a national pariah who was vilified by virtually everyone.
Most vocal among his critics were the Christian conservatives who decried Edwards lack of values.
But those same “Christian” conservatives now support Newt Gingrich. Yes, that Newt! The Newt who sanctimoniously led the cheers for Bill Clinton’s impeachment as the result of Clinton’s indescretion with an intern. The Newt who later admitted to an affair while his first wife was battling cancer. The Newt who had yet another affair while his second wife (and former mistress) was critically ill with Mulitple Sclerosis. And who, despite the advice of his wifes physician who told him that stress would be damaging to his wife, asked her to agree to an open marriage so he could continue his affair!
These facts, along with the Newts admission of 84 ethics violations as Speaker of the House should make anyone question his values. Indeed, they should be automatic disqualifiers for higher office. Yet here he is, the new standard bearer for Christian conservatives in the Teapublican presidential race.
After all, according to these pretend Christians, the Newt’s transgressions are in the past. They dont really reflect the man the Newt has become today.
No, they dont. Todays version of Newt Gingrich is even more ethically challenged. He is angrier, more vitriolic, more vengeful and more sanctimonious. But it seems that is whats so appealing to Christian conservatives about the Newtster. He voices their self-righteous anger about President Obama and liberals. And following ABCs interview with the Newts ex-wife about his affairs, theyre even more angry. Not at the Newt, but at ABC and the rest of the lamestream media for dredging up such an unsavory story about their hero.
“Sure, Newt is no saint,” they say. “But he has repented.” Apparently, his repentance has been so complete that he even earned the blessing of the apparent keeper of the Christian conservatives moral compass – Sister Sarah Palin. That should be good enough for anyone. Shouldnt it?
And what of John Edwards? The “Christian” conservatives still consider him a pariah, of course.