Gingrich Steps Down in Face of Rebellion

[Casino67]

Washington Post:

Saturday, November 7, 1998

Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), the charismatic soul of the Republican Revolution whose members turned on him after unexpected losses in Tuesday's election, announced yesterday he will quit as speaker of the House.

His stunning exit came only hours after longtime friend Rep. Bob Livingston (R-La.) told reporters he intended to challenge Gingrich when House Republicans meet Nov. 18 to pick their leaders for the 106th Congress.

But the day's turmoil quickly produced more candidates for the speakership. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer (R-Tex.) and Small Business Committee Chairman James M. Talent (R-Mo.) pronounced their interest. Policy Committee Chairman Christopher Cox (R-Calif.) formally announced his candidacy on CNN's "Larry King Live."

For Gingrich, in Georgia all day, the end came early in the evening when spokeswoman Christina Martin emerged from the speaker's office with a brief statement for about 20 reporters gathered in a hallway next to the cavernous Capitol Rotunda.


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The article didn't say, but I seem to recall the election disaster that kept Clinton in office was because of Newt's decision to go after Clinton's sexual adventures. The electorate didn't agree, because for whatever reason, Bill was just too popular with the voters to go there. The result was the disaster that Newt paid for with his job.

Of course, that is from the memory of a sometimes befuddled mind.