News

So Does Newt Think Libby Got What He Deserved?

Newt Gingrich: “[Y]ou cannot accept felonies and you cannot accept perjury in your highest officials].”

So the man that many conservatives would like to see run for president actually thinks Lewis Libby got what he deserved?

Actually, Gingrich was talking about Clinton.

Now that he might run for president, Newt is trying to explain how it is that he was having an affair with someone on the House payroll at the same time that he was leading the charge against Clinton over his invovlement with Monica Lewinsky. The difference, Gingrich insists, is that Clinton lied under oath.

Reporters and pundits are pointing out how flmisy this distinction is, considering Gingrich’s wider assaults on Clinton’s and the Democratic Party’s morality. But this week, as conservatives are demanding that Libby be pardoned, the more timely question is where Gingrich stands on the Libby verdict. Does he still think we cannot accept perjury in our highest officials, or does that rule only apply to Democrats?

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO