Readers React: Bursting the Newt Gingrich trial balloon

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich speaks with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker at the Iowa Freedom Summit in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 24.

Oct. 2, 2015 7 AM PT

To the editor: I actually laughed out loud when I read Jonah Goldberg’s statement that President Obama treats Congress with contempt. (“Give Newt Gingrich the gavel,” Opinion, Sept 29)

Hey Jonah, are you talking about the Republican members of Congress who pledged from Day One that their main goal was to make Obama a one-term president?

I think you have it the other way around.

The GOP-led Congress is in such disarray that it can’t even get along with itself. And your solution? The architect of contempt, Newt Gingrich. Thanks for the laughs.

Rob Shanahan, Venice

To the editor: Gingrich? Are you kidding me? This is Goldberg’s suggestion for the new speaker of the House?

This proves beyond all shadow of a doubt that the GOP and its pundit supporters are living in a fantasy bubble, completely devoid of logic, truth or fact. They believe their own rhetoric, they truly do.

Scott W. Hughes, Westlake Village

To the editor: I went looking for recent Gingrich speeches to validate my memory of the strident, intolerant, inflammatory jerk I remembered. To my surprise, Gingrich does seem to have matured. He denounces negativity as a tactic to win the 2016 White House, and he comes across as a positive and thoughtful (I can’t believe I’m saying this) statesman.

Sure, he’s still conservative, but if he is willing to collaborate and work with Democrats, maybe he could actually do the job.

So, Jonah Goldberg, you conservative-to-the-core columnist , I give you this one.

William Goldman, Palos Verdes Estates

To the editor: In a time when the will of the people is subverted by gerrymandered districts, voter suppression laws and unlimited campaign contributions, the author wants to give the House speakership to a nonmember of Congress best known for shutting down the government, ethics violations and a personal life that makes Josh Duggar look like an altar boy.

On one point, Goldberg is absolutely correct: “It’s crap sandwiches for as far as the eye can see.”

Lon Shapiro, Chatsworth

To the editor: Gingrich?

Author of the “Contract with America”? The guy who went after President Clinton while hiding his own infidelities? Brilliant!

The perfect conservative leader.

Thomas Bliss, Sherman Oaks

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