Fox's Dr. Keith Ablow: "Gingrich's Three Marriages Mean He Might Make A Strong President"
January 20, 2012 10:14 am ET by Media Matters staff
An opinion piece by Dr. Keith Ablow, a member of Fox News' "Medical A-Team," appeared on FoxNews.com today. In it, Ablow argues that the fact that Republican candidate Newt Gingrich has been married three times means that he could be an effective president:
I want to be coldly analytical, not moralize, here. I want to tell you what Mr. Gingrich's behavior could mean for the country, not for the future of his current marriage. So, here's what one interested in making America stronger can reasonably conclude -- psychologically -- from Mr. Gingrich's behavior during his three marriages:
1) Three women have met Mr. Gingrich and been so moved by his emotional energy and intellect that they decided they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with him.
2) Two of these women felt this way even though Mr. Gingrich was already married.
3) One of them felt this way even though Mr. Gingrich was already married for the second time, was not exactly her equal in the looks department and had a wife (Marianne) who wanted to make his life without her as painful as possible.
Conclusion: When three women want to sign on for life with a man who is now running for president, I worry more about whether we'll be clamoring for a third Gingrich term, not whether we'll want to let him go after one.
Ablow concludes:
So, as far as I can tell, judging from the psychological data, we have only one real risk to America from his marital history if Newt Gingrich were to become president: We would need to worry that another nation, perhaps a little younger than ours, would be so taken by Mr. Gingrich that it would seduce him into marrying it and becoming its president. And I think that is exceedingly unlikely.
Previously:
Bad Medicine: Fox News Physicians Are A Prescription For Misinformation, Scientific And Otherwise
Ablow: Policies Like Health Care Reform "Sow the Seeds" Of The "Kind Of Oppression" Seen In Egypt
Dr. Keith Ablow: Misinformer Of The Year On LGBT Issues
Fox's "Doctor" Ablow Dismisses Threat From Coal Plants
Ablow Uses "Farm Animals" Analogy To Attack Chaz Bono
Psychiatric Organization Rebuts Fox Doctor's Attacks On Chaz Bono, Dancing With The Stars
seriously...what?!
How about we look at it a different way Ablow. As in, Newt can't commit to something as important as a marriage. This makes me think he might not be able to commit to being President. He has a wandering eye, and is always wondering what might be next? What is BETTER?
I think Ablow nailed it here.
If we want to get anything done in this country we need an unabashed master of deceit, an unrepentant liar and a proud manipulator of trust. Sure, Mitt seems to have the potential but only Newwt has the proven track record.
Here is an article From Mother Jones first printed in 1984 on how Gingrich used people then discarded them when they are no longer advantageous to have around. My favorite quote from it is,
Oh wise cat ;-), this whole nation is beginning to reek like an onion.
It reminds me of lazy Palin wanting to do politics her way when she was just too lazy to put in the work, learn the information, and formulate original and intelligent thoughts.
Do I want a lazy fraud or an intellectual??? The choice is clear.
If Newt can't keep his promise to God, then why should we believe him in anything else???
What matters is the responses and dialogue we have here. Anyone can click a thumbs down. I guarantee the "thumbs down" stalker will thumbs down this post, thereby proving he is capable of clicking an HTML button.
Some people say!
Calculated, as everything else with him?
Newts whole object in going after Calista seems to have been that she made a more viable candidate for FLOTUS.
"In a few years I’m going to run for president. She's going to help me become president."
Imagine having that thrown in your face.
The nastiest, most immoral egomaniac of the bunch and this disgraced hack thinks he'd make a good President?
Those tools at Fox News really would worship Machiavelli if they could spell his name right, or knew who he was. But all that book learnin' is for spineless librul pukes!
It speaks wonders as to the mindset of the Republicans that having both their possible candidate and his wife being adulterers doesn't bother them.
I know you're supposed to not criticize spouses, but it seems to me she was just as guilty as NG. As as far as that criticism thing, how'd that work out for Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton?
For the powerful, however, the rules can always be massaged.
So, be this "doctor's" account, every great philanderer would be a great president?
Well then, I knew a lot of qualified presidential candidates while in college.
Is there even the slightest shred of doubt that today's "conservatives" are so consumed by their sociopathic hatred of Obama that they've entered a state of complete delusion? Seriously?? Look at the freak show remaining in the Repub field? There is a level of total irresponsibility and non-patriotism in the majority of what comprises today's "conservatives" that should frighten us all.
However, this may be the most bizarre example of stunning hypocrisy and naked partisan spin.
Reminds me of the old George Carlin stand-up routine. "Somewhere, by using simple logic, the world's worst doctor has to exist .... and someone has an appt with him tomorrow."
EEEEWWWWWWW!!!!! I think I'm gonna puke.
Wasn't Bill Clinton the kind of guy who was constantly drawing the attention of women? Even before he was president he was known as a charmer and a smooth operator(which he could probably play on sax).
I wonder if Dr. "Quack" Ablow was out there trying to convince his fellow conservatives how the Monica Lewinsky affair made Bill Clinton a simply awesome president?
While Clinton has been called a predator, and I've even seen "rapist", for what appear to be consensual affairs not involving potential alimony.
I guess it's about different tastes, but who the hell finds newt irresistible ? He reminds me of the most dull co-workers I've had over my life. But he's been talking about the GOP lately, calling "them" boring, as if he's some sort of exciting outsider.
Maybe he's just a really boring man's idea of what an interesting man sounds like.
I'm not sure if it's because a guy who's older , rich and smart might not be happy with that relationship, or that the women deliberately pick somebody they're not going to get emotionally attached to.
It's sad but funny that guys like newt ( and Ablow) convince themselves it's some sort of sex appeal that attracts these women. From my casual observation, it's more the lack of that appeal that brings them in.
At any rate, people posting here find it baffling, because they aren't insanely attracted to money above all else.
My youngest went to an upscale private school on Manhattan's Upper West Side, and I used to drop him off in the morning. Once a year, the local fire station would send a firefighter over to give a fire safety lecture. They always sent a handsome young fellow, and for some reason, most of the young mothers hung around for the lecture, showing a kind of (suppressed, but palpable) excitement that reminded me of teeny boppers waiting to see rock stars. I liked it, because it said to me that Kissinger was wrong. Power's not the ultimate aphrodisiac; courage is.
The attraction to a newt might be a security thing, the money's there to take care of a wife's material needs, but I don't think the typical woman finds that eliminates other needs that need to be met.
When I was doing remodels and other construction in my younger days, I worked in some neighborhoods ( think: Coto De caza, the area in Real Housewives of OC, Newport beach, etc) where I was in the homes of these people, and I saw some bizarre situations. Long business trips by the hubby, a lot of working out and maintenance by the wives. I also saw quite a few "separate bedroom" situations. A lot of show marriages.
I also saw a lot of pretty obvious "open marriages".
And these were a lot of the very conservative/pillars of society types, living lifestyles that seemed just bizarre to me.
Did you ever see "Overboard" with Goldie Hawn? She and Edward Hermann played the rich couple expertly. And the carpenter noticing them got thrown overboard.
A lot like the Newtie, complaining that the press (and his ex-wife) had the audacity to notice.
He at the same time is having multiple affairs with the green.
But, howzat again? Huh? Did I understand those words correctly?
Whence the inspiration for this bit of insanity, I wonder.
Forsooth and henceforth wonder at this quandary no longer! For thy query is simple, thy answer revealed!
MONEY.
Sleeping at night and entering heaven, well, that's the risk he has to take.
Guess that makes Ablow a complete fraud.
Not me.
Many times a pundit will stretch a point to make a point...but this is pure-dee insanity.
Often over at Newsbusters I would read rants about Mr. Obama worshiping "Carl Marx."
I always asked if he was Groucho's brother.
Can you imagine the screaming that would come from the Wingnuts if it was revealed that Michelle Obama had an affair with a married man and was completely unrepentant about it?
And the conservative attack machine STILL mocks and demonizes her mercilessly, literally putting words in her mouth, and attacking her for them.
This guy is a DOCTOR???
Just think how impressed he would be if Bernie Madoff was the candidate...after charming all those investors.
That was clever.
You beat me to it! That was my first thought.
Further, the good Doctor wrote that Ole Newt's third choice "was not exactly her equal in the looks department." Just like Hef - this Doc knows what's important.
Seriously - for a moment - isn't this medical malpractice? Are licensed professionals supposed to offer opinions about individuals they have not actually examined? I seem to recall a medical doctor in the House or Senate who had to walk back (run back, actually) from an opinion about poor Terri Schiavo.
Just like Duh Gov'Nuh - a quitter.
WHAT THE FORK IS THIS A$$ H0LE TALKING ABOUT??? (HAND TO FOREHEAD)
Of course, being objective, you'd say the same about a Democrat with the same personal history of course.
JFK, Bill Clinton. You recognized the upside of their private lives, of course.
But if he stained someone's dress - IMPEACH HIM!!!
Kinda reminds me of Sean Hannity's saying John McCain should be excused for his infidelity by virtue of being a POW.
Seems there's no moral failing by a rightwing repub that can't be explained away and/or turned into a positive. IOKIYAR
Classic IOKIYAR.
The guy asked his second and third wives to marry him while still married to the preceding wife. It does say a lot about his psyche, but not that he'd make a strong president.
Of course, because Gingrich is a Rupublican. Ablow-hard is quite the tool. This guy is an absolute sell-out, provided he even has a medical license. When the message used to be, "4 out of 5 doctors think that smoking is hazardous to your health", Ablow-hard would be the 5th doctor, collecting a check from the tobacco lobby.
Or: His first wife seemed to be a fairly normal marriage, and the other two wanted the wealth and power that comes from being connected to a Speaker of the House.
Or: Gold-diggers and trophy wives are usually not all that concerned with the marital status of the rich guy they've ensnared.
Or: So he found some gold-diggers that are as selfish and destructive as he is? Birds of a feather? Leona Helmsley and Imelda Marcos were just too old for the Newt?
We're supposed to believe Newt the "Devout Catholic" is so great because he broke sacramental vows he took before God...just so he could have a younger gold-digging wife that wasn't deathly ill?
Okay...all kidding aside, this Keith Ablow guy has just gone from being an obvious partisan hack to being a complete fraud. Clearly he is being paid a lot of money to spout such insulting nonsense and completely discredit himself.
He went to confession, said his "Hail Mary's"--->> slate. clean.
Also, I'm pretty sure what Newt has done is considered "mortal sin" which is not just forgiven with a few Hail Marys.
********
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
Hey, Dr. AblowMe...
How about Newt's massive hypocrisy, pursuing the impeachment of a democratically elected president, over a lie pertaining to an affair while having and (since he nver fessed up to it) LYING about an affair himself?!
Yeah, that's what we want for a President: A collossal hypocrite who's really good with gold-digging wh*re$. (His first wife is, of course, excluded from that statement as her only crime was having HORRIBLE taste in men.)
---------------------------------------
IMHO
UTOPIA
Ablow is a failure of such epic proportions it boggles the mind.
____________
Why Newt Should Thank Occupy Wall Street
Newt Gingrich is a mangy dog! The man had a bl**j** in his driveway, while his young children were wondering around and his wife might have caught him. According to one woman, he prefers or*l sex because then he can say he never "slept with her". He cheated on two wives, inviting the current mistress/future third wife to a mattress mambo in the bed of his second wife/former mistress. That's bad enough, but this Ablow(job) defends him and says it speaks well of his character? Gingrich is a dog and Ablow(job) is Santorum.
By his "psychology" (and I use this term lightly when it comes to Dr. A-blow) Obama or any elected official who has been married and committed to just one spouse should have never been popular enough to be elected.
Just another example of the desperate right changing their trumped-up "values" to suit their want for power.
Thank you, but we have a real family man in the Whitehouse and I, as will oh-so-many others, work to keep him there!
4 MORE YEARS!
Fixed!
Then they must be stupid. Why would any woman believe that they were spending "the rest of their lives with him"? I'll give his first wife a pass, but at some point you have to notice a trend.
If Newt turns out to be the nominee and he looses to President Obama, I would expect Newt to dump Callista and start looking for an attractive black lady. (Though, not necessarily in that order.)
The Statue of Liberty is in a hospital. Nurses are whispering in each others ears. Ms Liberty is crying out in pain, asking where her 'beloved' husband is.
CUT: A back view of Newt Gingrich walking down a hospital aisle, his hands in front of him. (What's in his hands is not visible)
A naive nurse tries to console her telling her that her husband surely does love her and that he will sooner or later arrive with a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
CUT: The nurses keep whispering in each others ears. They step out into the hallway and see Newt walking towards them. They flinch with disgust on their faces.
CUT: Gingrich walks into Ms Liberty's room. Ms Liberty smiles and says Newt-I knew you would come. Nurse Naive joyfully proclaims, "You see hon, he's here after all and he even has a bou... - ahh something in his hands."
Newt throws the divorce papers at Ms Liberty and they land on her face.
CUT: Outside the hospital room's door, where the nurses have been looking in, are weeping bitterly.
Doing backflips to excuse this guy's wretched philandering, while yelling at Obama for giving a speech at Disney World...
The Super-Pacs haven't disclosed since last JULY.
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2012/01/alarming-lack-of-transparency-in-go.html
Will MMFA get off their "OOOH did you hear what so and so said on Fox News" obsession and start reporting the Mainstream Media's indifference to this blatant lack of transparency on the part of the Republicans?
John
There's been not a word of his egregious use of the "Edwards Loophole" anywhere, not even online, as far as I know.