Gingrich campaign admits error
(CNN) - Newt Gingrich's campaign admitted Wednesday night the former House speaker was inaccurate when he claimed his team offered several witnesses to ABC News to refute statements made by Gingrich's second wife in a controversial interview aired last week.
CNN Chief National Correspondent John King reported the campaign said it only recommended Gingrich's two daughters from his first marriage, who wrote a letter discouraging ABC to release the interview.
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Marianne Gingrich claimed in the ABC interview that her husband asked for an open marriage while he was having an extramarital affair with his current wife, Callista Gingrich.
"The story was false. Every personal friend I have who knew us in that period says the story is false. We offered several of them to ABC to prove it was false. They weren't interested," Gingrich said at a CNN debate last week.
In an interview on Tuesday, King pressed Gingrich on those claims, saying ABC News insisted no such witnesses were put forward.
Gingrich said ABC's defense was "just plain baloney."
"If they're saying that, then they're not being honest," Gingrich said. "We had several people prepared to be very clear and very aggressive in their dispute about that, and (ABC News) wasn't interested."
On Wednesday, however, the campaign conceded the candidate was wrong, both in his debate answer and in his interview with CNN on Tuesday.
R.C. Hammond, the campaign's press secretary, told CNN the only people the campaign offered to ABC were the speaker's two daughters, Jackie Cushman and Kathy Gingrich Lubbers, who make regular appearances for their father on the campaign trail.
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WOW! after he pounced on John King for bringing up the interview and emphatically said witnesses were made available to rebut Mary Ann's assertions that he wanted to "swing". Now the truth comes out that the campaign did not provide names of people privy of the truth other than his two daughters (same old).
Gingrich should have been the one to stand in front of the cameras to say he lied. He has some major character flaws. Habitually lying, hiding from his past, displaying anger when confronted, belittling others, and narcissistic attitude are just some of them.
That's not an error. That's a lie!
This is the GOP darling? It's unbelievable that this party has any support at all.
We don't need Gingrinch in the white house, he is too liberal.
Poor ol' Newt, his 'undressing' of nice guy John King was an absolute travesty. Everyone knows it's the Liberal Media that is responsible for Newt's 'indiscretions' and record of 'inaccuracy'! Watching Newt is like going 'back to the future'
"Gingrich admits error". Back in the newspaper days, this would have been a stop the presses story. "Gingrich makes error" – another dog bites man story.
Ok Fed Up. ABC only wants to sensationalize news, that's why you don't watch them anymore. Then you must watch FOX which definitely doesn't sensationalize news. Yeah, right
like most right wingers, Gingrich later said his statement was "not meant to be factual"
Newt is ethiclly and morally bankrupt and he is corrupt. Dont let Newt or his mistress wife anywhere near the White House. Can you imagine what a great role model Collista would be for Americas young girls?
Surprise, surprise. Newt lies again.
Is gingrich also ready to admit his "error" regarding his comment calling Pres. Obama "the food stamp president"?
He is also inaccurate in that claim. The truth of the matter is that more Americans receive the benefit of food stamps (46.2 million) than ever before. This is a function of the economy. But, 14.2 million more Americans enjoy the benefit of food stamps since Obama took office. During the Bush administration, food stamp eligibility was expanded, and 14.7 million more Americans were added. So the Obama administration, during the worst recession since the Great Depression, saw 500K fewer additions than in the Bush administration.
It appears that being "inaccurate" comes as easily as breathing to mr. gingrich. Here in the real world I'd call it lying.
If he lied about saying ABC lied, than he is surely lying about telling his wife he wants to be a swinger.
Interesting strategy. Lie big time in a debate that is seen by millions and then 2 weeks later very quietly say, "Oh yeah, that wasn't really true" that gets put on the bottom of Cnn's webpage and no otehr news outlet as far as I can see. So lie to millions and then admit you lied to like 100 people that actually read this small story. Interesting strategy. Wonder if that will work.
Maybe it was early stages of Alzheimers!
On the bright side, if Newt wins the Presidency, we will have a certifable Wh0re in the White House......That will be interesting....
@FED Up "ABC News wasn't interested in anything other than sensationalism. That's why I don't watch their news anymore."
Let me guess, you watch Fox "News"? There's no sensationalism there.../sarcasm
A lie bought the win in SC.
A high price to pay for temporary gain.
The media shouldn't give Gingrich free pass. He was very defiant in his response and now it turns out it was a bald faced llie in a publicly televised debate. And he called Romney a "liar"!!! The Democrats are praying for Gingrich to get the GOP nomination. Do you really think now that Newt has been 100% upfront about Fannie / Freddie? I like Newt's perspective and "big picture" thinking, but he epitomizes the fat, rich and deceptive lifetime Washington insider. Romney is rich, but not an insider and not dishonest.
Oh, I love this guy....PLEASE, PLEASE nominate him.
Are you telling me The Newster would tell a lie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SHOCKED.
He is such a liar.
Newt does what he does best...turn the blame on someone else and lie,lie,lie.
But the best part is I think Newt is already on the MOON and he would be in his GLORY with all the moon rocks to listen to all his spacey ideas.
So he admits he lied. why can't the headline say so!
Sure: Is Gingrich really Catholic,? is Gingrich really white? Gingrich's behavior suggests he's secretly campaigning for Obama!
To be fair, he seems to be a pretty good salesman, but underneath it all... a snake. Apparently those who really know him can confirm this.
I'm SHOCKED! A liar, adulterer, washington insider, lobbyist would LIE?? So...Republicans went after Clinton tooth and nail and attempted to impeach him over his fling, yet they are trying to put THIS guy into office?