Perry jabs Gingrich over marital infidelity

Rick Perry takes part in the Republican debate, Dec. 10, 2011, in Des Moines, Iowa.

/ AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Texas Gov. Rick Perry said that a candidate's marital fidelity is "important" to the presidential race, an apparent knock at frontrunner Newt Gingrich, whose current wife was his mistress during his second marriage.

"I make a vow to my wife but I made a vow to God. And that's pretty heavy lifting in my book," Perry said in Saturday night's Republican debate in Iowa, sponsored by ABC News. "When I make a vow to God, then I would suggest to you that's even stronger than a handshake in Texas.

Moderator George Stephanopoulos then asked whether Perry thinks "a candidate who breaks his marital vows is more likely to break faith with voters?"

"I think the voters are wise enough to figure that one out," he said. "I've always kind of been of the opinion that if you cheat on your wife, you'll cheat on your business partner. So I think that issue of fidelity is important."

Perry, who is running ads in Iowa which highlight his faith, didn't directly mention Gingrich, but the question and answer obviously alluded to him.

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"I mean, it's a characteristic of which people look at individuals, whether it's in their business lives or whether it's in their personal lives or whether it's picking someone to serve in public office for them," Perry added. "Individuals who have been in fidelity with their spouse, I think that sends a very powerful message. If you will cheat on your wife, if you will cheat on your spouse, then why wouldn't you cheat on your business partner? Or why wouldn't you cheat on anybody for that matter?"

The other candidates on the stage declined to mention Gingrich or make a big issue of infidelity.

"I think character issues do count. And I think all of your record, personal as well as political record, is there for the public to look at. I would not say it's a disqualifier, I wouldn't go that far. I think people make mistakes and you are held accountable to those mistakes, and the public will then listen to the circumstances and make their decision," Former Sen. Rick Santorum said.

"I think character is obviously very important. I don't think it should be necessary to have to talk about it. I think it should show through in the way we live. And I think it should show through in your marriage. And I happen to have been married for 54 years and a family person," said Rep. Ron Paul. "But you know what probably is every bit as important, if your marriage vows are important, what about our oath of office? That's what really gets to me. That's where you're really on the line as a public figure."

The thrice-married Gingrich acknowledged that voters have a right to ask questions about the matter, but said he should judged for who he is now, not for the "mistakes" he has made in the past.

"I think it's a real issue," he said. "I think people have to look at a person to whom they're going to loan the presidency. And they have the right to ask every single question. They have to have a feeling that this is a person that they can trust with the level of power we give to the presidency."

"And I think that's a very, very important issue. And I think people have to render judgment. In my case, I said up front openly, I've made mistakes at times. I've had to go to God for forgiveness. I've had to seek reconciliation," he added. "But I'm also a 68-year-old grandfather. And I think people have to measure who I am now and whether I'm a person they can trust. And all I can tell you is that... I am delighted at the way people have been willing to look at who I am, to look at what my record has been."

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[TheAlwaysSunnyinNewYork]

1 Candidate has never flip flopped on any of his positions. 1 Candidate predicted the financial crisis in 2005. 1 Candidate receives more donation from U.S. servicemen than the others. 1 Candidate want to stop foreign handouts. Don't believe the media. See For yourself. Get more facts on the man at: http://www.antination.com/p/contenders.html

[ladyang]

For the love of Mike, get over Ron Paul, he will NEVER get the nod. You peaple are delusional!

[DiMaggio_8]

Rick Perry is an embarrassment and should be given a pink slip. No more political office for this chap.

[cattiej]

This people are just sham's. The Republican party will elect someone from the floor to run as President and it won't be any of these debate people. Perhaps, Jeb Bush, John Boehner or someone else that people will recognize will be elected to run..Otherwise I don't think the Repubs stand much of a chance. Our country folk think more of sports figures than they do the people running our country. More people worship actors and musicians than politicans. Fewer and fewer people are going to church. More and more people are without a job, have lost their homes and their pride. Yet, these millionaires stand up on TV and talk they are the second coming..I am sick to death of it. The election isn't until November 2012 and the money that the ads on TV and the amount of press coverage is in the billions of dollars. None of these millionaires nor our Congress care about the poor and the middle class of our country. They just want to make more money for corporate America, the folks who are really running our country (in the ground).

[rationall7]

If you have taken a lobboyist pledge from Grover Norguist you have already cheated on the American public you hope to serve, support tax cuts for the wealthy and ot the working class, that's cheating with favoritisim. I guess the American working class people is their mistress.

[baileyccc]

If any of these clowns get elected with a gop congress then the inmates will be running the asylum. They would be a complete travesty that is totally owned by corporate America.

[Montana5]

I'm sure Perry is faithful to his wife....as a candidate what is troubling to me about Perry is that he can't always remember her name.

[forumcomments]

The US has 15 trillion in debt, borrows about 40% of what it spends, high unemployment and the article talks about infidelity and doesn't even mention the real issues in the debate. It is ironic how this is the focus of the article when we have elected many that have done the same thing and worse.

[stevex47]

ha, issues dont matter to birthers. Remember how they attacked Clinton for his morality?

Issues dont matter to tea birthers, remember the WMD lies, outting CIA agents, for gosh sakes they let bin laden go.

Infidelity is all that matters to birthers.

[fedup12]

Gingrich, Romney, Perry are a little too GW Bush for my liking.

The only one who is consistently conservative (All the way around) is Ron Paul.

Paul doesnt want America bent over by Israel. I dont know when selling out America for Israel became a Republican platform.

[Lerianis4]

Perry, here is the truth: MOST AMERICAN DON'T CARE IF SOMEONE STEPS OUT ON THEIR MARRIAGE! Seriously, the only ones who do care are the ones who I realize 90% of the time are JEALOUS of that other person for having the cajones to step out on his marriage and wife, with her permission or without.

Most times with politicians, it is the former and not the latter.

[daffy64]

You think it takes "cajones" to lie to someone you love?

Cowardice, more likely. And weakness.