Gingrich's Crying Moment Follow up

I decided to look around at different websites to get a feel for what people were saying about Newt's crying moment today.  My comments here.  This was about as insincere an event an anything any Republican could imagine.  First, the question was lobbed by Frank Luntz, a GOP pollster who coaches Republicans on what words to choose (since they can't choose their own) to craft their message to maximum effect.  Second, the question was lobbed to Gingrich as he sat before an audience of mothers.  And third, Gingrich, instead of allowing his emotional reaction to speak for itself, called attention to his tears by saying, "See? Now you've got me completely emotional."

Both TPM and CNN ran the story, and the comments following the story tell a lot.  Predictably, the comments were solidly in the "doubt it" category, calling the moment a fake Hillary moment, recalling when Mrs. Clinton got teary-eyed after a question about press coverage of her ahead of the NH primary.  The tears then were sincere and she went on to win the primary and give Obama a real challenge all the way to June when she finally stepped aside and endorsed him.  And now she's the Secretary of State.

My favorite TPM retort from commenter denholt66: "Time out: this is someone who fell so far behind on his child support and alimony obligations to his first wife that she had to petition the court for intervention. Fast forward to Wife No. 3, and he's taking out a $500K line of credit for her at Tiffany's. Yes, he's certainly "changed" over the years, hasn't he?"


Fox News's website also ran the story, and I expected to read a shitload of comments in support of Newt's humanity, sincerity, and other good qualities. But I didn't see much of that at all.  While there were supporters, as well as liberals trolling the comments section to pick fights with the wingnut regulars, the comments largely ignored the event altogether, and simply attacked liberals and predicted victory for the Republicans (not necessarily Gingrich) in 2012.  My favorite, from commenter ragingbull454:

WELL I DO HAVE TO SAY ONE THING WHEN OBAMA LOSES 2012 WE NEED TO PUT HIM O [sic] MOUNT RUSH MOOR [sic] THEN RIGHT BELOW WE NEED TO BUILD A W A L L O F S H A M E [sic] WITH ALL THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED FOR THE FIRST PRESIDENT THAT TRYED [sic] TO DESTROY AMERICA.

The Fox News comments were a bit of a surprise to me at first, but then I realized who I was dealing with.  The viewers and readers of Fox News aren't interested in facts.  To them, facts do not matter.  All that matters is getting that black Muslim Kenyan out of there, whoever it is.   They'll support a wheel of cheddar cheese if it's sharp enough to win against Obama.