MY BRAIN HURTS
January 13, 2012 10:08 AM Subscribe
Newt Gingrich has a new ad specifically attacking Romney for speaking French, "just like John Kerry". Gingrich has a doctorate in European History focusing on the Belgian Congo, and is believed to speak French himself.
This post was deleted for the following reason: We've got an existing ALL CAPS TITLED post about US election 2012 ads from yesterday. Please put this there. -- jessamyn
Wait wait ... you're saying Newt Gingrich is a HYPOCRITE?
posted by leotrotsky at 10:12 AM on January 13, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by leotrotsky at 10:12 AM on January 13, 2012 [6 favorites]
Wow this Mitt dude sounds awesome, finally someone on the left speaking out for what they... What? ...... oh.
posted by pmcp at 10:13 AM on January 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by pmcp at 10:13 AM on January 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
I've read his dissertation, and there's no way he wrote it without, at a minimum, understanding written French.
(it's actually very weird and white-man's-burden-y, although I'm not sure if that was a more acceptable thing in the 70's)
posted by downing street memo at 10:14 AM on January 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
(it's actually very weird and white-man's-burden-y, although I'm not sure if that was a more acceptable thing in the 70's)
posted by downing street memo at 10:14 AM on January 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
French? Not FRENCH! THE HORROR, THE HORRROOOORRRR...!!!
posted by dfm500 at 10:14 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by dfm500 at 10:14 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
Damn straight! The person in charge of foreign policy should be totally ignorant of anything foreign!
posted by Ad hominem at 10:15 AM on January 13, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by Ad hominem at 10:15 AM on January 13, 2012 [6 favorites]
I'M DUMBER! NO I'M DUMBER!!
posted by Trochanter at 10:15 AM on January 13, 2012 [10 favorites]
posted by Trochanter at 10:15 AM on January 13, 2012 [10 favorites]
I wonder how the NYT will handle this story, not wanting to be 'truth vigilantes' or something.
posted by oneswellfoop at 10:15 AM on January 13, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 10:15 AM on January 13, 2012 [3 favorites]
I applaud the Republican party finally breaking the party unity and attacking each other for a change.
I also applaud a Republican who finally has the guts to come out and say that learning things like languages makes you a bad person.
posted by DU at 10:15 AM on January 13, 2012 [7 favorites]
I also applaud a Republican who finally has the guts to come out and say that learning things like languages makes you a bad person.
posted by DU at 10:15 AM on January 13, 2012 [7 favorites]
In college a guy in a Poli Sci class I took told that TA that she should stop reading Le Monde in French because it's an "unpatriotic language." It was stupid, both as an argument and as a way of hitting on TA, which is what he was trying to do.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 10:16 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 10:16 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is a really stupid story, I'm not sure why we need a post about it. In other news, nique ta mere.
posted by phaedon at 10:16 AM on January 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by phaedon at 10:16 AM on January 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
This is stupifying, in the sense that it makes people more stupid.
God, how I wish the second sentence in the FPP weren't necessary. An attack based on a skill that someone has. It is a dark day in the United States.
posted by JHarris at 10:17 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
God, how I wish the second sentence in the FPP weren't necessary. An attack based on a skill that someone has. It is a dark day in the United States.
posted by JHarris at 10:17 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
(e-mails Francophile friend with the amazingly filthy vocabulary for some choice words and phrases for Newt.)
posted by The Whelk at 10:17 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by The Whelk at 10:17 AM on January 13, 2012
Newt's next masterstroke of subtle political maneuvering will involve a deftly-delivered accusation of "sissy!" followed by lunch money-related beating-up. Then we'll see who the real middle school president should be.
posted by clockzero at 10:17 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by clockzero at 10:17 AM on January 13, 2012
Worrying too much about whether or not someone "speaks French" is how you end up with santorum all over everything.
posted by chavenet at 10:17 AM on January 13, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 10:17 AM on January 13, 2012 [4 favorites]
Mitt Romney has never publicly stated that he does not own a beret and black-and-white striped shirt.
Mitt Romney refuses to comment on whether or not he has been seen bicycling down a cobblestone street with a baguette and bottle of wine in the basket.
Mitt Romney won't tell us his opinion of erotically languid films shot through clouds of cigarette smoke.
What else is Mitt Romney keeping from us?
Vote Newt Gingrich/Freedom Fries 2012.
posted by griphus at 10:17 AM on January 13, 2012 [15 favorites]
Mitt Romney refuses to comment on whether or not he has been seen bicycling down a cobblestone street with a baguette and bottle of wine in the basket.
Mitt Romney won't tell us his opinion of erotically languid films shot through clouds of cigarette smoke.
What else is Mitt Romney keeping from us?
Vote Newt Gingrich/Freedom Fries 2012.
posted by griphus at 10:17 AM on January 13, 2012 [15 favorites]
Next up ; Magic Underpants.
posted by Keith Talent at 10:18 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by Keith Talent at 10:18 AM on January 13, 2012
I don't quite understand why the ability to speak French is a negative. This is probably the most bizarre example of anti-intellectualism I've seen in a while.
It's especially weird coming from Canada, where someone hoping to be Prime Minister would be criticized for not speaking French. I realize it's a very different political culture, but it makes for an interesting juxtaposition.
On top of everything, it seems to be just sort of tacked on at the end. Like: Romney is not really a conservative, here's why. Oh, and by the way, did you know he speaks French? (I know the aim is to connect him with John Kerry, another "elitist liberal," but in terms of the construction of the ad, it really comes off as a strange sort of afterthought.)
posted by asnider at 10:18 AM on January 13, 2012
It's especially weird coming from Canada, where someone hoping to be Prime Minister would be criticized for not speaking French. I realize it's a very different political culture, but it makes for an interesting juxtaposition.
On top of everything, it seems to be just sort of tacked on at the end. Like: Romney is not really a conservative, here's why. Oh, and by the way, did you know he speaks French? (I know the aim is to connect him with John Kerry, another "elitist liberal," but in terms of the construction of the ad, it really comes off as a strange sort of afterthought.)
posted by asnider at 10:18 AM on January 13, 2012
Man, Gingrich is really playing with fire here. Not only does he almost certainly speak French himself (the treacherous dog), his wife Callista plays the french horn!
Maybe she should take to calling it the "freedom horn"?
posted by yoink at 10:19 AM on January 13, 2012 [4 favorites]
Maybe she should take to calling it the "freedom horn"?
posted by yoink at 10:19 AM on January 13, 2012 [4 favorites]
Saveur magazine did a cover feature on hamburgers a while back. One page had a picture of the owner of one of the profiled restaurants chatting with a diner. Behind them could be seen the menu offering "freedom fries" and "freedom toast".
I lost my appetite.
posted by Trurl at 10:19 AM on January 13, 2012
I lost my appetite.
posted by Trurl at 10:19 AM on January 13, 2012
I love how all this junk will be gone when he chooses running mate. All the attack ads become well, shucks, he is going to be vp now, so none of that applies.
posted by Felex at 10:20 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by Felex at 10:20 AM on January 13, 2012
Suddenly the Perry campaign senses an opportunity...
"I Don't Know Any Languages," Declares Perry in New Campaign Ad
posted by furiousthought at 10:20 AM on January 13, 2012 [22 favorites]
"I Don't Know Any Languages," Declares Perry in New Campaign Ad
posted by furiousthought at 10:20 AM on January 13, 2012 [22 favorites]
Next up ; Magic Underpants.
Les sous-vetements magiques, je vous en prie.
posted by yoink at 10:20 AM on January 13, 2012
Les sous-vetements magiques, je vous en prie.
posted by yoink at 10:20 AM on January 13, 2012
He also speaks Spanish. (Badly, both in style and substance.)
posted by Benny Andajetz at 10:20 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by Benny Andajetz at 10:20 AM on January 13, 2012
This is a really stupid story, I'm not sure why we need a post about it.
Il drapeau et passer
(via Google Translate - I only speak American.)
posted by m@f at 10:20 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
Il drapeau et passer
(via Google Translate - I only speak American.)
posted by m@f at 10:20 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
Will the Honourable Gentleman finally admit to the American People that he lacks the stupidity necessary to lead them?
posted by Trochanter at 10:21 AM on January 13, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by Trochanter at 10:21 AM on January 13, 2012 [4 favorites]
This is the same Newt Gingrich who said, last month:
Next time you see one of the candidates who’s running the negative ads, ask them to take it off the air. Just say to them, it demeans America.posted by 0xFCAF at 10:21 AM on January 13, 2012 [5 favorites]
Maybe she should take to calling it the "freedom horn"?
I think that would lead to confusion with the contents of Newt's underwear.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:21 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
I think that would lead to confusion with the contents of Newt's underwear.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:21 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
Aren't the French famous for having mistresses? Just sayin'.
posted by phaedon at 10:21 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by phaedon at 10:21 AM on January 13, 2012
Gingrich has a doctorate in European History focusing on the Belgian Congo
And King Leopold is his role model.
posted by Skeptic at 10:22 AM on January 13, 2012
And King Leopold is his role model.
posted by Skeptic at 10:22 AM on January 13, 2012
All kidding aside, I highly encourage everyone to watch Gingrich's Bain documentary. It's fucking brutal, and Obama should just run it himself if Romney wins the nomination.
posted by empath at 10:22 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by empath at 10:22 AM on January 13, 2012
Just like John Kerry? He's history's greatest monster!
posted by Hoopo at 10:22 AM on January 13, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Hoopo at 10:22 AM on January 13, 2012 [3 favorites]
That's it, Gail Simone was right. Reality has jumped the shark.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:23 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:23 AM on January 13, 2012
Next time you see one of the candidates who’s running the negative ads, ask them to take it off the air. Just say to them, it demeans America
Yeah, but it's not a negative ad. It's, like, "Hey, Mitt Romney is a pretty awesome and moderate dude! That's great! Alas, a moderate dude cannot beat Obama." See? Not negative at all.
posted by asnider at 10:24 AM on January 13, 2012
Yeah, but it's not a negative ad. It's, like, "Hey, Mitt Romney is a pretty awesome and moderate dude! That's great! Alas, a moderate dude cannot beat Obama." See? Not negative at all.
posted by asnider at 10:24 AM on January 13, 2012
France supported america in the war of independence. The statue of liberty is a gift from france, for gods sake. What is it with all the france hate?
posted by Bovine Love at 10:24 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by Bovine Love at 10:24 AM on January 13, 2012
In Romney's defense, his French accent is kind of terrible. It sounds like the the American version of the "hamsters" and "elberberries" guy from The Holy Grail.
posted by the thing about it at 10:24 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by the thing about it at 10:24 AM on January 13, 2012
What is it with all the france hate?
They wouldn't let our brave men and women fly over French territory on their way from England to bomb Iraq.
posted by Thorzdad at 10:25 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
They wouldn't let our brave men and women fly over French territory on their way from England to bomb Iraq.
posted by Thorzdad at 10:25 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
Here is Newt Gingrich's 1971 dissertation, Belgian Education Policy in the Congo 1945-1960
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2012
Gingrich, the son of Lyxes here
Lies; in Ionic history without peer;
A Dorian born, who fled from Thuria's brand
And made in Slander his new native land.
posted by Smart Dalek at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
Lies; in Ionic history without peer;
A Dorian born, who fled from Thuria's brand
And made in Slander his new native land.
posted by Smart Dalek at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
That and the misconception that the French sat-out WWII, sipping wine while the real heros (i.e. the US) won the war.
posted by Thorzdad at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Thorzdad at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
Can we hire Gingrich to do advertising for the Obama campaign? Because he's way better at attack ads than anything the Democrats put out.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2012
What is it with all the france hate?
They don't like EuroDisney in their midst.
posted by Melismata at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2012
They don't like EuroDisney in their midst.
posted by Melismata at 10:26 AM on January 13, 2012
Francophobia has had a long and illustrious history in the United States. After World War II, for instance, the US Army had to release a book to occupying American GIs instructing them how to not be dicks to the French.
posted by griphus at 10:27 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by griphus at 10:27 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
Va te faire enculer chez les Belges?
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:27 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:27 AM on January 13, 2012
Here is Newt Gingrich's 1971 dissertation, Belgian Education Policy in the Congo 1945-1960
When challenged on this, I hope Gingrich gets accused of Belgian waffling.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:27 AM on January 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
When challenged on this, I hope Gingrich gets accused of Belgian waffling.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:27 AM on January 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
Here is Newt Gingrich's 1971 dissertation, Belgian Education Policy in the Congo 1945-1960
Maybe Newton Leroy Gingrich only speaks Belgian.
posted by chavenet at 10:27 AM on January 13, 2012
Maybe Newton Leroy Gingrich only speaks Belgian.
posted by chavenet at 10:27 AM on January 13, 2012
Uh, wow, fucked up the HTML there. The word "book" is a separate link.
posted by griphus at 10:27 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by griphus at 10:27 AM on January 13, 2012
This is an honest question: Are there any registered GOP voters here who can tell me what the hell is going on?
While I disagree with pretty much the whole GOP platform, the platform itself seems more and more chaotically incoherent. I can (retroactively) understand the concepts behind arguments Reagan had against unions and socialism, but every GOP candidate now seems to have abandoned the need to have a set of rational arguments. How does not speaking French make you a better president?
posted by deanklear at 10:28 AM on January 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
While I disagree with pretty much the whole GOP platform, the platform itself seems more and more chaotically incoherent. I can (retroactively) understand the concepts behind arguments Reagan had against unions and socialism, but every GOP candidate now seems to have abandoned the need to have a set of rational arguments. How does not speaking French make you a better president?
posted by deanklear at 10:28 AM on January 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
France supported america in the war of independence. The statue of liberty is a gift from france, for gods sake. What is it with all the france hate?
France dared to suggest we might be wrong about invading Iraq. They are therefore cowards. Cheese eating surrender monkeys.
They have art and fashion there, and drink more wine than beer. That's effeminate. So they are probably trying to turn us all into hell-bound homo's.
It's an image of France that appeals specifically to a segment of voters who are already unlikely to be firmly in Romney's camp
posted by tyllwin at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
France dared to suggest we might be wrong about invading Iraq. They are therefore cowards. Cheese eating surrender monkeys.
They have art and fashion there, and drink more wine than beer. That's effeminate. So they are probably trying to turn us all into hell-bound homo's.
It's an image of France that appeals specifically to a segment of voters who are already unlikely to be firmly in Romney's camp
posted by tyllwin at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
empath: All kidding aside, I highly encourage everyone to watch Gingrich's Bain documentary.
From the thread discussing that "documentary", atrazine noted that it contained Romney speaking French (with an atrocious accent) as part of an Olympics promotional thing for the SLC event. But apparently Romney was a missionary in France for two years, for whatever that's worth.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2012
From the thread discussing that "documentary", atrazine noted that it contained Romney speaking French (with an atrocious accent) as part of an Olympics promotional thing for the SLC event. But apparently Romney was a missionary in France for two years, for whatever that's worth.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2012
I think it's fair to say that at the very least, Gingrich is being economical with the not being a fuckwad
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2012
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2012
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posted by jonmc at 10:10 AM on January 13, 2012 [4 favorites]