NBC Reflexively Refers to Gingrich Wife as His 'Third Wife'
It's no secret that the media have given significant attention to GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich's history of marital problems and whether this facet of his past will undercut him with socially conservative Republican voters, but on Friday's Today show on NBC, correspondent Peter Alexander went so far as to refer to Gingrich's wife as his "third wife" in a story that otherwise had nothing to do with his marital history. (Video below)
Below is the relevant portion of Alexander's report from the Friday, December 30, Today show on NBC:
PETER ALEXANDER: Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich, whose support has recently plummeted in Iowa, is struggling to keep his campaign alive, symbolized by this blunt exchange with a voter Thursday.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN IN AUDIENCE: Do you really want to be President?
NEWT GINGRICH: I think it's my duty as a citizen and as a grandfather to try to help serve my country at a time when I think we're in real trouble.
ALEXANDER: Gingrich is increasingly promoting his third wife, Callista, as a key campaign asset. Mrs. Gingrich appears in this new campaign video promoting music education in schools, drawing on her own experience as a musician.
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Comments
Well it is his third wife
Submitted by shawn. on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 10:47am.
None of the republican nominees of this election or the last election are on their third marriage. I think that applies to the democrats as well.
No, shawn, in the context of
Submitted by fitzfong on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 11:41am.
No, shawn, in the context of this story, it was gratuitous and clearly agenda-driven. For the purposes of this segment, the only relevant fact is that Callista is Newt's wife. This was one of those cynical "you can't un-ring a bell" mentions designed to make a subtle impression on the low-information voters who watch NBC News.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
Surely you jest
Submitted by John Francroix Jr on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 11:48am.
I agree, she hardly needed to bring it up, but for different reasons than you believe. There isn't an American over 15 who isn't aware of Newt's multiple marriages, infidelities, and divorces.
Written with the authority
Submitted by fitzfong on Sat, 12/31/2011 - 11:24am.
Written with the authority and credibility of someone who isn't even aware that the reporter who attempted to sneak this bit of "relevant" information in like a trojan horse is a "he", not a "she".
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
"Un-ring a bell"
Submitted by CO2Maker on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 11:54am.
Or as I put it, "The jury will disregard the following remark."
Oh, yeah.
promoting his third wife,
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 1:03pm.
promoting his third wife, Callista, as a key campaign asset.
Is that to make sure we don't mistakenly get the idea he's promoting one of his previous wives?
And why don't they call him "the recent Catholic convert"?
Nah...."convert" might have a positive connotation.
A little fairness, please
Submitted by CO2Maker on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 11:34am.
The media also gave Senator Chappaquiddick the same treatment. They referred to his "first victim" and "annulled wife" all the time.
Didn't they?
Once?
Ever?
delete
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 1:00pm.
delete
Conservatives!
Submitted by Guapo Diablo on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 1:53pm.
Note that Republican politicians are always tied to "conservatives" rather than their Republican base. The label is used twice just after the 1:00 mark and is clearly intended as a pejorative.
When reporting on the democrat party, however, no liberals can ever be found.