Newt Gingrich: My Love of America Made Me Love a Lot of Other Things

Patriotism-inspired adultery?

Newt Gingrich, who may be a contender for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, spoke obliquely recently about his extramarital affairs.

"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," he said during an interview with CBN.

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Gingrich, who is married to his third wife, has admitted that he cheated on his first two wives. He reportedly initiated the divorce from his first wife, Jackie Battley, while she was undergoing treatment for uterine cancer and was cheating on his second wife, Marianne Ginther, during the Bill Clinton impeachment proceedings.

He began seeing his current wife, Callista Bisek, while married to Ginther.

On Twitter, Gingrich's curious explanation strikes many as laughable.

LOL! I needed that laugh. Thanks newt RT @foxnation: Gingrich: 'Passion for the Country' Led to Personal Indiscretions http://bit.ly/fLG7zUless than a minute ago via EchofonMary Chastain
marychastain

Thank you, Mr. #Gingrich. Now I know that if I cheat on my wife and she confronts me, I can demand to know why she hates America.less than a minute ago via TwitBirdEric Jefferson
ericsjefferson

Turns out Gingrich slept around because he loves America more than you, you commie flag burner: http://bit.ly/gNYQvcless than a minute ago via TweetDeckDavid Edmonson
dedmo

I didn't know that adultery was one of those things you could do for your country. http://bit.ly/hZA0Mpless than a minute ago via webChris Burlingame
chrisburlingame

Other responses seem more like anger than laughter.

Gingrich says he was unfaithful & abandoned both of his dying wives because of his passion for America - http://huff.to/frSLyo RT @dceiverless than a minute ago via webJonah
JonahBW

Democratic strategist Donna Brazile keeps her reaction simple.

This is so odd. Who knew? RT @nprnews Newt Gingrich Seems To Blame Past Personal Lapses On Patriotism http://n.pr/dPwCddless than a minute ago via TwitterrificDonna Brazile
donnabrazile

One common reaction is that Gingrich is being hypocritical.

Nice to see @newtgingrich espousing that core GOP value of personal responsibility for his adultery http://bit.ly/gWPFStless than a minute ago via webAdam S. Hersh
adamshersh

Gingrich's words have inspired some to create campaign slogans for his possible 2012 White House run.

"Life, liberty and the pursuit of horniness" - Newt Gingrich, American Patriotless than a minute ago via webSteve
SteveInSacto

Only a man who truly loves America would sleep with other women to save it. Gingrich 2012! http://bit.ly/e8eidNless than a minute ago via bitlystevesilberman
stevesilberman

Newt's campaign slogan: "Gingrich: Sewing the seeds of liberty one woman at a time." #p2less than a minute ago via HootSuiteJoseph J. Santorsa
Marnus3

Lots of people are thinking along these lines.

So if Newt Gingrich isn't currently cheating on his wife, does that mean he doesn't love America anymore? IS HE CHEATING ON AMERICA!?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckMatt Ortega
MattOrtega

This thought is a frightening one.

If cheating makes you patriotic for America, Tiger Woods & Charlie Sheen must be the most patriotic Americans ever!less than a minute ago via webThe Toast
TheToast2012