Gingrich slams CNN for asking about ex-wife

Updated 12:15 a.m. ET

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich slammed CNN host John King for asking about an explosive ABC News report claiming the White House hopeful asked his former wife for an "open marriage" before they later divorced.

"I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run of for public office and I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that," Gingrich said.

Gingrich accused CNN host John King of poor taste for bringing up the issue. "John -- John, it was repeated by your network. You chose to start the debate with it. Don't try to blame somebody else. You and your staff chose to start this debate with it."

"Every person in here knows personal pain. Every person in here has had someone close to them go through painful things. To take an ex-wife, and make it two days before the primary a sign question in a presidential campaign, is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine," Gingrich said.

ABC News reported Thursday that Gingrich's second wife, Marianne, says the GOP presidential candidate asked her for an "open marriage" after he became involved with the woman who became his third and current wife. Gingrich said the claim is false.

Marianne Gingrich told ABC News that Gingrich wanted the then-Callista Bisek, his current wife, as his mistress while keeping Marianne Gingrich as his wife. She said he admitted at the time to a six-year affair with Callista.

Gingrich proceeded to attack the media for being biased against Republican candidates.

"I am tired of the elite media protecting Barack Obama by attacking Republicans," he said. "They would like to attack any Republican."

The audience responded with a standing ovation and the other three candidates on stage did not touch the issue.

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Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said "John, let's get on to the real issues. That's all I have to say."

ABC aired the interview with Marianne Gingrich this evening shortly after the debate ended but little else was revealed.

Gingrich's two adult daughters, Kathy Lubbers and Jackie Cushman, sent a letter to ABC news in defense of their father and scolding ABC for airing the interview.

"The failure of a marriage is a terrible and emotional experience for everyone involved," they write. "We will not say anything negative about our father's ex-wife."

Rick Santorum was asked by King about the accusations against Gingrich. Santorum failed to defend or disparage Gingrich. "I thank God for forgiveness," he said. "But the bottom line is those are -- those are things for everyone in this audience to look at."

Texas Rep. Ron Paul's campaign issued a statement before the debate was over agreeing with Gingrich that CNN should not have opened the debate with questions about his ex-wife.

"Our problem with Newt Gingrich is not that he lied to his wife but that he lied to the American people," Ron Paul spokesman Jesse Benton said.

[Zann-Zel]

by mend2day January 21, 2012 6:47 PM EST
What a HORRIBLE response. Remember the Dolly Parton movie where the politician starts singing oooooh I love to do the sidestep now you see me now you don't. They should be playing that tune everytime this jackass opens his mouth. He NEVER answered the question. NEVER addressed the timelines. Or the fact that he is a DEAD BEAT DAD.
------------------
That's exactly the scene I see every time I see this man's face! LOL!

[mdman47]

What a horrible question to start out a presidential debate. He shouldn't answer the question because it shouldn't have been asked. People want to know about the economy the deficit job creation..I could care less if he had ten spouses why you want that many but that's up to him..Stick to the issues. John King should go back to reporting for the National Enquirer

[jagfan4444]

Still amazed about the amount of coverage his affairs gets. The man was investigated and censored over misuse of funds etc.. JMO: that should be front and center.

First wife (cancer & he divorced her)for second wife Marianne (spelling?) Then while Marianne was ill he leaves her for current wife. Great family man, NOT!!

IMHO: This man is just plain old mean and nasty.

[buckrogers7399]

All that really needs to be said in response to these one sided comments is, "Bill Clinton"....

[jagfan4444]

What does Clinton have to do with it? Let's see he lied about having an affair. At same time Old Newt was doing the same thing. And came under investigation & was censored.. then leaving office.

Hmmmm... Clinton did wrong. Newt was worse.

[zenia5]

@buckrogers.....Really? This is about Gingrich...not Clinton. What Clinton did does not in any way diminish the fact that Gingrich is an evil, dishonest egomaniac. His serial adultery is only part of his problems. The way he conducted himself as Speaker of the House in such an unethical manner, was fined over $300,000, and forced to resign his position are much more telling of why he should NEVER be elected to the presidency.

[darlinggirl1]

I can't believe that people gave this dough boy a standing ovation who paid these nutty people

[harv823]

This looked like a Republican spin job to me. Newt was expecting the question regarding his ex wife. As such, he had time to come up the "it's the liberal media's fault." Another failed Republican spin job. I can't believe he's even being considered for President. He'll be a puppet for large corporations and the rich.

[darlinggirl1]

I agree with you

[mdman47]

I disagree with you

[pr_boxer]

Gingrich should play a "snake oil salesman" in the movies.

[pr_boxer]

Conservatives all do the same thing, blame others for their own transgressions. It doesn't matter who, anyone will do.

[pr_boxer]

CNN didn't commit adultery, Gingrich did. Many fall for this creep's diversionary tactics. If you're one of those taking the kool-aid , wake the ***** up!

[mend2day]

What a HORRIBLE response. Remember the Dolly Parton movie where the politician starts singing oooooh I love to do the sidestep now you see me now you don't. They should be playing that tune everytime this jackass opens his mouth. He NEVER answered the question. NEVER addressed the timelines. Or the fact that he is a DEAD BEAT DAD.

The American people are notified 2 days before the primary. THANK GOD we found out in time. Forget that. It is just the top of the huge pile of crap we have all witnessed this hideous creature shoveling out of his mouth for decades.

This insignificant man had been tolerated all these years. Not respected or admired. He is certainly NOT the type of man this country needs in anyway. It is dispicable that the American Political machine thought to even consider to put this creaton up for consideration.

[noloyalisti]

Typical Republiclown behavior by Gingrinch. Blame the messenger so that their evil deeds are OK. How many times are the self hating Republicons going to buy this junk from these morons?