BLOG #14 - What Ever Happened to a Civil Tongue?

As the Florida primary approaches tomorrow (Jan. 31st) it appears that, once again, it is coming down to a close count between Romney and Gingrich.  And, the latest national poll shows that IF the election were today that there is only 1% difference between Obama and Romney. Interestingly this poll did not pit Newt against Obama. It seems that the "prevailing" wisdom by the republican establishment and the media is that it is all over but the election with Romney and Obama going head to head for the Oval Office and leader of the free world - if, in fact we, the United States, still holds this title!


But what really bothers me about Romney is what he said on FOX News this morning about Newt. He, Romney, continues to lie about Newt's so called "baggage". He referred to Newt's being kicked out of the Congress, how he was censured by the ethics committee of the House, and was fined $300,000 by the committee. These are all untrue. Newt completed his term as Speaker and did not run for reelection. He was never censured by the ethics committee as he was cleared of 83 of the 84 charges against him, and the 84th was a minor charge that was caused by his lawyer not responding adequately to the committee. The $300,000 that Newt paid was for legal charges that he incurred during the investigation. 


Unfortunately in our political process candidates are not prone to keep a civil tongue and to curb themselves or their Super PACs when they step over the line with false accusations. I am not letting Newt off the hook either, as I believe that he has done his share. However, I believe that Newt's involvement was more defensive than offensive. Yes I am still hoping for Newt to win the nomination and believe that he will be able to beat Obama NOT just in debates, but at the polling booth on the first Tuesday in November 2012. Newt IS a conservative as well as a Jeffersonian Constitutionalists.