Pelosi's dirt on Gingrich: Who will it really hurt?
The Democrat threatens to release damaging information about the surging Republican, but arguably, having Pelosi as an enemy actually helps Newt
![As Newt Gingrich rises in the presidential polls, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi threatens to reveal some juicy info about the Georgian from a congressional ethics investigation in the 199](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NWa8Hxwm5XUZK6BKZL6XD9-415-80.jpg)
Some Democrats are worried about former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's rapid and apparently enduring rise in the Republican presidential polls. Fellow former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) isn't one of them. After serving in Congress with Newt from 1987 to 1999, "I know a lot about him," Pelosi told Talking Points Memo. "I served on the investigative committee that investigated him" for tax and campaign-finance violations in the late 1990s. And I'll divulge details "when the time's right." Gingrich thanked Pelosi for an "early Christmas gift," then shot back with a threat of his own: Leaking sealed House Ethics records would open Pelosi to an ethics investigation. Gingrich is already taking flak from GOP rivals for appearing in a friendly climate change ad with Pelosi in 2008. Will Pelosi's threat hurt him even more — or will it backfire on the Democrat?
This could cost Newt loads of GOP supporters: "The mere thought that Newt has even more baggage on the carousel of politics is enough" to lose my vote, says Don Surber in the Charleston, W.V., Daily Mail. "He is already over the weight limit for baggage," and even if Pelosi is bluffing, Gingrich has made plenty of well-placed enemies on both sides of the aisle. Ironically, Pelosi's "fair warning may be doing Republicans a big favor," by encouraging them to ditch Newt before it's too late.
"Drudge headline that cost Newt 1,000,000 votes"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But Gingrich can easily defuse this bomb: There are certainly ways that damaging, sealed information can come out where "Pelosi's hands will be unstained by the leak," says Ed Morrissey at Hot Air. And that will likely happen, conveniently at the most opportune time for Obama. But if Gingrich demanded that the House "unseal all of the records from that investigation" as soon as possible, it would "defuse that threat entirely and allow Gingrich to take the high road."
"Democrats feeling a little conflicted over potential Gingrich nomination"
This hurts Pelosi, too: The Democrat is making herself look "foolish," says Bryan Preston at PJ Media. She can't reveal anything she learned on the ethics panel without getting into trouble. Her silly threat only gives Newt a "Get Out of Ethical Jail Free card" — letting him blame all attacks on him as the work of Pelosi. Remember, many Republicans view Pelosi as "the most toxic member of Congress." Her latest gambit could very well rally Republicans to Newt's side.
"Nancy Pelosi brings knife to gunfight with Gingrich"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published