At a time when the GOP nomination race is at a critical moment, bad news could easily ruin a candidate, even if frontrunner. Newt Gingrich might get in trouble after his ex wife came forward with open marriage allegations.
In an interview with The Washington Post and ABC News’ Nightline, Marianne Gingrich said that back in the ‘90s, more particularly on May 10, 1999, she got a call from the former House of Representatives speaker saying he wants a divorce.
After that, they went to see a counselor, and by the end of the first session Marianne learned there was a mistress involved. At that time, Newt Gingrich asked for an open marriage and blamed Marianne for wanting him all to herself. “He said the problem with me was I wanted him all to myself. I said, That’s what marriage is. He was asking me for an open marriage, and I wouldn’t do it”.
The mistress appears to be Callista, the candidate’s third wife. According to Marianne, back in the ‘90s, Newt Gingrich said that in a few years he will be running for president and Callista was going to help him become president. Apparently, Gingrich and Callista had an affair for six years.
Brian Ross told ABC morning talk show “The View” that it is clear Marianne doesn’t think that Newt Gingrich “has the moral character to serve as president, given what happened to her and what he asked of her”.
As Newt Gingrich was preparing for his performance in the South Carolina debate, that took place yesterday, the news about his former wife’s allegations surely didn’t come lightly. However, the Republican candidate dismissed the allegations and called the interviews with his former wife to be “tawdry and inappropriate”. By his side stood Callista, his third wife, when Newt Gingrich said he was not going to say anything about Marianne.
Randy Evans, Gingrich’s lawyer, said that “the elite media” is trying to control the outcome of the South Carolina primary. Evans stated: “He’s said it repeatedly. He acknowledges that he’s made mistakes. He’s had a road-to-Damascus moment. He asked for forgiveness. He believes he’s forgiven and he’s a different person today”.
