Campaigning in the Bible Belt

[Moderator John] King used the first question of the night to ask Gingrich if he’d like to respond to his ex-wife’s words.

“No,” Gingrich replied. “But I will.”

The live audience applauded loudly. It was obvious right away they had his back. Clearly, Gingrich was ready for King’s question, but he did his best to feign shock and outrage.

“I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run for office, and I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that,” he thundered.

At this there was a standing ovation. “Is that all you want to say, sir?” King asked. It was not. Gingrich went on to say that raising the subject was “as close to despicable as anything I can imagine” and to pronounce himself “frankly astounded that CNN would take trash like that and use it to open a presidential debate.” When King protested that the interview had originated at another network and that it had become a major subject on the campaign trail, Gingrich cut him off and roared: “I am tired of the elite media protecting Obama by attacking Republicans.” The crowd was roaring now. It was the strongest reaction they’d have all night.

It’s no mystery why the audience of Republicans so instinctively and passionately rallied to Gingrich’s defense. His final line was the key: that the liberal media is out to get Republicans and will stop at nothing to destroy them is an absolute article of faith on the right.

[...]

A poll from PPP released just after Thursday’s debate showed him holding a six-point lead over Romney for the second straight night. Channeling conservative victimhood on Monday was a smash hit for Newt, and his Thursday night sequel may be remembered the same way.

  Salon

Yes, the Righteous Right’s persecution complex is something they wear like a crown. In fact, they believe their god has told them that they will earn a crown in heaven if they are persecuted because of their belief in him. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Mathew 5: 10. Frankly, having been raised in a fundamentalist home, I think they actually want to be persecuted. It’s not so much a persecution complex as it is a persecution wish. It’s the easiest way they have to get into heaven.

But there’s another reason the interview with Gingrich’s former wife worked in his favor with the righteous. Men are superior, and in any contest, the woman is degraded and reviled by the Righteous Right. How dare she raise her head? I wondered when I read that she was on an interview slamming Newt, even if what she was saying was true, what purpose the interview was serving. That was only ever a win for Newt with the righteous. And I assume it was the righteous who were being targeted with the interview, because who else cares whether he cheated on his wife? It almost makes me think he orchestrated the interview himself in order to get the play that he got in South Carolina.

Matthew 5:27 is long after Matthew 5:10, so clearly less important, not to mention difficult to obey. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.