Newt Gingrich Compares Failure to make VA ballot Similar to, ah … Pearl Harbor

I thought Newt Gingrich was a noted historian? He might want to rethink his analogy of failing to make the Virginia ballot being a lot like Pearl Harbor.

Over the weekend we learned that several GOP Presidential candidates failed to make the Virginia primary ballot as they did not attain the proper amount of signatures of registered voters required to get their names on the ballot for the March 6 primary. Among the GOP hopefuls were Newt Gingrich and Texas Governor Rick Perry failed to qualify for Virginia’s Republican primary.

Upon learning that he failed to meet the primary qualifications, Newt Gingrich likened his failure to make the ballot to Pearl Harbor.  HUH? Sorry, did I miss something? Newt might be considered a noted historian but I am a history major myself with a concentration in US History and US Military history. Also, my senior thesis was on American-Japanese relations post 1900.  Dear Mr. Gingrich, I fail to see the comparison, even if you are referencing the set-back of the attack on Pearl Harbor rather than the sneak attack and death of so many military personnel.

Forgive me Newt if I do not believe that you and any other GOP Presidential candidate failing to make the Virginia primary ballot is not considered a date that will live in infamy. You might have wanted to use a more appropriate comparison.

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich stepped into controversy Christmas weekend as he compared his exclusion from the Virginia primary ballot to the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

“Newt and I agreed that the analogy is December 1941: We have experienced an unexpected setback, but we will re-group and re-focus with increased determination, commitment and positive action,” Campaign Director Michael Krull wrote on Gingrich’s official Facebook page on Saturday.

Offering what appeared to be an FDR-inspired rallying cry, Krull continued: “Throughout the next months there will be ups and downs; there will be successes and failures; there will be easy victories and difficult days — but in the end, we will stand victorious.”

Gingrich stated that the process to get on the VA ballot was a failed system. That may be the case Newt, but you knew in advance what the system was and what the requirements were and failed to meet those standards. HELL, most of the present US Government process is a failed system and “WE THE PEOPLE” have to abide by the guidelines, process and laws. What it generally shows me is that Gingrich’s does not have the apparatus in place for his campaign. After all, following Newt’s failure to get on the ballot he stated that he would run as a “write in” candidate only to learn that Virgina state law does not allow for such in a primary vote.

Hot Air has suggested some other better comparisons that Newt could have used that would have been much better than Pearl Harbor. They suggest that Dieppe and Gallipoli  as a “unexpected setback.”  Agreed! One might even use Gen. George Washington’s retreat through NJ and across the Delaware after setbacks against British commander, General Sir William Howe in the battles to take NYC. One could also have used Union general Oliver Otis Howard setbacks during the Civil Wat at at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, only to recovery and be much more effective from lessons learned in the Western Theater at the Battles for Chattanooga and Atlanta. Or the numerous Allied setbacks during WW II like in Burma, the Battle of Coral Sea, and the numerous initial setbacks in the Pacific Theater.

Needless to say, poor choice of words Newt. You might want to better next time, like having the organization in place in a state to abide by the process so that you don’t compare the next set back to September 11, 2001.