The Exchange between Juan Williams and Newt Gingrich was another Teachable Moment

At the South Carolina Debate much of the discussion center on the exchange between Juan Williams and Newt Gingrich about his comment of President Obama being a “food stamp president”.  While neither seemed to win on what the Newsmax wires called a “racial exchange” in their article titled Gingrich Slams Juan Williams in Racial Exchange, it was clearly revealed that Mr. Gingrich took offense to being called out by Mr. Williams.

Being a long-time politician, Newt Gingrich knows how to get his point across without demeaning or belittling the interviewer, only when he feels slighted or defensive does he strike back so violently and without regard.  This is what happened during their exchange.  According to Newsmax, Williams question was defined as badgering.  Here is where they both failed to make any end-roads toward reconciliation.

When Williams asked “Can’t you see this is viewed, at a minimum, as insulting to all Americans, but as particularly to black Americans?” and Gingrich responded “No, I don’t see that.”  Williams should have seen that response as proof positive that attempting to help Mr. Gingrich understand the effect of such remarks upon the very same citizenry he wish to lead as President of the United States, was a lost cause, he continued to try and make clear that as president you have to represent all of America and not just a selected few.  Failing to realize that allowed Gingrich to use his “southern vocabulary” to make him the villain instead of a professional.

Mr. Gingrich failed to make his interpretation acceptable by allowing personal feelings to over-ride empathy by saying first failing to respect Mr. Williams as a professional and addressing him with such disdain saying “first of all, Juan, the fact is that more people have been put on food stamps under Barack Obama than any other president in history.”  Knowing that this was a complete “lie”, he was still allowed to spew this and not be challenged at all for the other professionals both behind the desk and on the stage.  This is quite disturbing because if those who are allowed access to these representatives are not holding them accountable for their actions or comments, who will?

Proof of Mr. Gingrich’s disdain was even more apparent when a lady from his next event stood up and thanked him for “putting Juan Williams in his place”.  Only response from Mr. Gingrich was a slight smile and a quiet thank you.  If the GOP is ever going to change, it has to be from those still calling themselves Republicans.  All others can do no more than to sit back and wish.  Before anyone should speak about taking back their country, they first need to take back their party.

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