Gingrich Was So Busy Working For Our Nation

A lot of people are characterizing Newt Gingrich's admission to Christian fundamentalist preacher and host of the right wing 700 Club, Pat Robertson, that during his multiple affairs he was busy working for the country as a way of blaming his affairs on his patriotism.

I don't think Gingrich said any such thing.  To be certain, here's his quote:

There's no question at times of my life, partially driven by how passionately I felt about this country, that I worked far too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate. And what I can tell you is that when I did things that were wrong, I wasn't trapped in situation ethics, I was doing things that were wrong, and yet, I was doing them.

I just don't see he where blames his patriotism.  What I do see is Gingrich blaming his busy schedule on his poor decision-making in his private life.  I absolutely believe he was busy working for America.  He was Speaker of the House of Representatives during one of his affairs.  There's no doubt the dude was swamped with work, putting in 14 hour days forcing him to neglect family time.  As a result, he screwed up.

None of this is a big deal or uncommon.  At least it wouldn't be if it weren't for the fact that at the same time Gingrich was "passionately" working for this country (the very excuse he gives for his multiple affairs) he was also presiding over the impeachment of President Clinton-- who as President of the United States was working way harder and much longer days than Gingrich.  Yet Gingrich and the radical Republicans didn't afford him the same benefit of excuses.

This isn't about patriotism.  It's about a double standard, and Gingrich is sailing right along.