Newt Gingrich Blames Liberalism for Columbine Massacre, War in
Kosovo
https://highered.nbclearn.com/portal/site/HigherEd/browse/?cuecard=5376
General Information
Source:
Creator:
NBC Today Show
Resource Type:
Katie Couric/Lisa Myers Copyright:
Event Date:
Air/Publish Date:
05/14/1999
05/14/1999
Copyright Date:
Clip Length
Video News Report
NBCUniversal Media,
LLC.
1999
00:02:24
Description
In his first speech since resigning from Congress, former House Speaker says the Littleton High School
shootings are the result of failed liberalism.
Keywords
Liberalism, New Gingrich, Critique, Kosovo, Littleton Shootings, Rhetoric, Morals, Values, Secularism,
Liberals, Conservatives, Conservatism, Image, President, Bill Clinton, Theodore Roosevelt, Teddy
Roosevelt, Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick, Proverbs, Republican Party, Democratic Party, Joe
Lockhart
Citation
© 2008-2015 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Page 1 of 3
MLA
"Newt Gingrich Blames Liberalism for Columbine Massacre, War in Kosovo." Lisa Myers,
correspondent. NBC Today Show. NBCUniversal Media. 14 May 1999. NBC Learn. Web. 11 July 2015
APA
Myers, L. (Reporter), & Couric, K. (Anchor). 1999, May 14. Newt Gingrich Blames Liberalism for
Columbine Massacre, War in Kosovo. [Television series episode]. NBC Today Show. Retrieved from
https://highered.nbclearn.com/portal/site/HigherEd/browse/?cuecard=5376
CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE
"Newt Gingrich Blames Liberalism for Columbine Massacre, War in Kosovo" NBC Today Show, New
York, NY: NBC Universal, 05/14/1999. Accessed Sat Jul 11 2015 from NBC Learn:
https://highered.nbclearn.com/portal/site/HigherEd/browse/?cuecard=5376
Transcript
Newt Gingrich Blames Liberalism for Columbine Massacre, War in Kosovo
KATIE COURIC, co-host:
Now to a voice we haven't heard in a while, Newt Gingrich. The feisty former Speaker of the House has
kept a low profile since resigning from the House last fall. But now, as NBC's Lisa Myers reports, he's
speaking out again.
Unidentified Woman: Welcome to our friend Newt Gingrich.
LISA MYERS reporting:
In his first speech since resigning from Congress, Gingrich resurrected the blowtorch rhetoric that got him
into trouble as Speaker. He began with a message for the, quote, "liberal elite."
Mr. NEWT GINGRICH: I accuse you in Littleton, and I accuse you in Kosovo, of being afraid to talk
about the mess you have made, and being afraid to take responsibility for the things you have done.
MYERS: Gingrich charged that the massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton was the result of 35
years of liberalism and its assault on core values.
Mr. GINGRICH: For 35 years, God has been driven out of the classroom and we have seen the result in a
secular, athiestic system in which God is not allowed to exist. But we have been given a wake-up call that
the experiment in secular liberalism has failed.
MYERS: This isn't the first time Gingrich blamed failed liberalism for a tragedy. Five years ago, he made
similar remarks when a mother drowned her two children. But since then, Gingrich, under pressure from
his own party, had tried to tone down his image, present a kinder, gentler Newt. Gingrich now says that
period felt like he was drowning, and that he decided to resume telling what he calls the truth as he
understands it. On Kosovo, he accused the President of violating every rule of war and diplomacy.
Mr. GINGRICH: Instead of Theodore Roosevelt's "Talk softly and carry a big stick," we have yelled and
carried a toothpick.
© 2008-2015 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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MYERS: He said the war was, quote, "a pathetic disaster for this country."
Mr. GINGRICH: The very people who were opposed to Vietnam are now bringing us a European
Vietnam! And they have learned nothing from the Vietnam campaign.
MYERS: Democrats say they were surprised Gingrich didn't also blame them for the tornadoes in
Oklahoma.
Mr. JOE LOCKHART (White House Spokesman): I think we're all well served by the demise of the
Gingrichism. I mean, I think that's one of the most ridiculous things I've seen in a long time.
MYERS: But Gingrich's audience loved it. Many of these Republicans, who complain current leaders lack
convictions, say they're glad the real Newt is back. For TODAY, Lisa Myers, NBC News, Washington.
© 2008-2015 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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