American Politics Journal -- Newt: Put Brain in Gear, Before Putting Mouth in Motion

Newt Gingrich: Put Brain in Gear Before Putting Mouth in Motion
by Jeff Koopersmith

Wednesday, April 2nd, 1997 -- NEW YORK (APJP) -- Newt Gingrich ought to learn to keep his mouth shut.

Last week, the egomaniacal Speaker of the House was twirling through China like an uncouth child -- not in pursuit of human rights, but in a vain attempt to raise his sunken credibility. The mainstream press, which is straining to remain civil, isn't telling you the truth about Gingrich's bombshells: that the United States will defend Taiwan from a mainland China attack, and his open criticism of China's record on human rights. Gingrich, who pompously claimed that the Chinese respected him because he was a history teacher, and making the direct implication that they didn't respect Vice President Al Gore, made a horses ass of himself and insulted the Chinese leadership who must have been laughing behind Newt's back, knowing all the time that he had about as much impact on foreign policy as Madonna has on children's literature.

Gingrich has absolutely no standing in the arena of foreign relations. The Constitutional gives this task to the President -- recognizing that the nation must speak with a single voice during negotiations with foreign powers. And it is the Senate, not the House of Representatives, which confirms or denies treaties and some agreements made by the White House.

So what was Newt doing at the Great Wall? Nothing but strutting his obese ego and causing pain at the State Department and in boardrooms across America, where directors strain to get a piece of the Chinese market -- potentially the largest in the world.

White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry summed up The Speaker's intent best, saying, "He took a political press corps with him that covered him like he was making a trip to Des Moines instead of a trip to Beijing."

Exactly.

The Speaker has always comported himself like an acne-scarred, overweight teenager who sneaks out of gym class by feigning illness. His antics in China only underscore his desperation to regain the respect he once held. What he's accomplished instead is to underscore his lack of sensibility and his craven lust for power.

Score 2 points for the Chinese who must have stayed up all night -- laughing.