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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2011 > December > 14 > Entry
That “zany” Newt…
A year ago I interviewed Newt Gingrich for this newspaper. I talked to him about a book he had just written about Valley Forge and a Revolutionary War hero who was, heaven forbid, an immigrant.
Now Newt is contesting with Mitt Romney for the front-runner position for the Republican nomination to run for president next year. Mitt has watched as his leadership in the polls has eroded. Now, he is fighting back. He just said that Newt is “zany.” I like that. How I wish Newt was zany. I don’t think he is actually that zany…not really.
What a difference six weeks can make: Here’s a quote from the Wall Street Journal dated January 27, 2012:
“Gingrich was asked about the attacks from conservative pundits, particularly from the American Spectator’s Emmett Tyrell, who wrote that Gingrich has had “private encounters with the fair sex that doubtless will come out.”
Gingrich tried to turn such criticisms to his advantage, suggesting they represent “establishment” thinking.
“Tyrrell has to write whatever Tyrrell wants to write,” Gingrich said. “There’s the Washington establishment sitting around in a frenzy, having coffee, lunch and cocktail hour talking about, ‘How do we stop Gingrich?’”
While Gingrich relishes bashing the media “elite” in public, he is friendly with the reporters who cover his campaign and makes himself available for media questions daily on the campaign trail. He seems to relish the back-and-forth with journalists, sometimes labeling questions he dislikes “bizarre.”
And so it goes…
Vick Mickunas
p.s. Follow me on Twitter: @BookNookVick
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Comments
By Raoul
December 16, 2011 7:25 AM | Link to this
Well, OK Vick. That exchange sure doesn’t sound zany to me. There has to be some rational way to immigration reform and Newt deserves some credit for trying to find a way. Those comments don’t endear him to hard right conservatives who want the laws to be enforced. It is a real tough issue and the solution that unfolds will be the next big defining moment for America.
By vick
December 15, 2011 2:07 PM | Link to this
Raoul, I was alluding to Newt’s views on immigration. This is from my interview with him…… Vick: “One gets the sense that your novels can be vehicles for some of your viewpoints. You seem to be making a point that Generals Lafayette and von Steuben were fine examples of immigrants who came to this country and did good things for our nation. I know you are for immigration reform.” Newt: “You’re exactly right. It’s no accident that in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber there are two portraits; George Washington and Lafayette. That’s because Congress in the 19th Century recognized that without Lafayette and without the help of the French, we wouldn’t be free. And I think that without von Steuben, that we could not have created the ‘Army of the Line.’ In many ways, I would argue that immigrants have always been a central part of the life blood of America. The challenge today is to find a path to legality and to have a system that is controllable and sustainable, not to be anti-immigrant.”
By Raoul
December 15, 2011 1:43 PM | Link to this
I don’t get the “Heaven forbid an immigrant” comment either. Surely no one has any issues with Americans that are immigrants. In a sense we are all immigrants. But this seems like a slap against those that have major concerns that illegal immigrants are overloading our system. The problem is one of not being able to sustain endless illegal immigration because of the drain on our resources. That is a common sense concern, but this comment comes across as projecting racist overtones for those that want to reform our immigration policies. If millions of white Canadians were illegally pouring across the border the problem would be no different.
By null
December 15, 2011 10:16 AM | Link to this
newt you are a immigrant in your own stupid little mind!!!!!!!and as for democrats and republicans.THEY ALL ARE LIARS.
By taxpayer
December 15, 2011 9:04 AM | Link to this
“Heaven forbid an immigrant”….is there a Democrat out there that Knows the Difference Between Legal&ILLEAGLE?????No wonder AMERICA is DIVIDED YOU JUST DON”T GET IT…..Congress is to blame not a President…. However we all know that John McCain would VETO the Health Care Bill ……& did the country have any unemploymet problems befor Pelosi&Reid took charge “OH” yeah Bush caused it all …….Hey people anyone would be a BETTER President than the one we now have…..But that aside we just keeep on Bashing those on the right side of the asile known as Republicans!!!!