The Wrong People to Drain the Swamp

Regrettably, the names being bandied about for high-profile roles in his administration — Newt Gingrich, Chris Christie and Rudy Giuliani — do not inspire confidence that such hopeful change is upon us.

These three relentlessly ambitious politicians, far from signaling something new and inspiring, represent a petty, vengeful past.

.. It was also surprising that Mr. Gingrich, of all messengers, came forth from the Trump inner sanctum on Wednesday to promise that the new administration would enforce “dramatically tougher ethics reforms.” As speaker, Mr. Gingrich had his own run-in with ethics standards in 1997 when the full House voted 395 to 28 to fine him $300,000 and reprimand him for using tax-exempt money to promote Republican goals and giving a committee untrue information.

Newt Gingrich says his “not appropriate” behavior tied to his passion for America

Gingrich has admitted he conducted an extramarital affair at the same time he was one of the GOP’s most vocal critics of then-President Clinton for his involvement with Monica Lewinsky. “There are times that I have fallen short of my own standards,” he said in 2007. “There’s certainly times when I’ve fallen short of God’s standards.” Gingrich said at the time there was a difference between his conduct and Mr. Clinton’s because Mr. Clinton had perjured himself.

Gingrich is now married to the woman with whom he had that affair, Callista Gingrich, a former congressional aide 20 years his junior. He divorced his first wife, Jackie Battley, in 1981; according to Battley and others, Gingrich discussed the divorce terms while she was in the hospital recovering following cancer surgery. His second wife, Marianne Gingrich, says Gingrich asked her to marry him before he divorced Battley.

In the CBN interview, when asked what makes a great president, Gingrich said in part: “You want to be able to look into them and understand, do they share my values?” He also said “our Judeo-Christian civilization is under attack” from “secular, atheist elitism.”

Which Republicans Oppose Donald Trump? A Cheat Sheet Which Republicans Oppose Donald Trump? A Cheat Sheet

Michael Steele becomes the sixth former chair of the Republican National Committee to say he will not vote for the GOP nominee.

.. He joins Marc Racicot (chair 2002-2003), who told Bloomberg in August, “I cannot and will not support Donald Trump for president.” Mel Martinez (2007) memorably told The Wall Street Journal, “If there is any, any, any other choice, a living, breathing person with a pulse, I would be there.” Bill Brock (1977-1981) has said he won’t back Trump, and so has Ken Mehlman (2005-2007). Rich Bond (1992-1993) wrote in an email in May that he would not vote for either Trump or Clinton, and would write in Homer Simpson if need be.

.. Despite a mass exodus since a video emerged of Trump bragging about sexually assaulting women, some prominent Republicans have still kept backing Trump. That notably includes Speaker Paul Ryan, who is officially a Trump endorser, even though he has said he will not defend or campaign for the nominee, and even though Trump has taken to attacking him during stump speeches and interviews; and also Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Barbara Bush: NAY
.. Unlike her husband and elder son, the former first lady has publicly disavowed Trump. “I mean, unbelievable. I don’t know how women can vote for someone who said what he said about Megyn Kelly, it’s terrible
Mitt Romney: NAY
.. “I wanted my grandkids to see that I simply couldn’t ignore what Mr. Trump was saying and doing, which revealed a character and temperament unfit for the leader of the free world.” Romney continued: “I know that some people are offended that someone who lost and is the former nominee continues to speak, but that’s how I can sleep at night.”
Bob Dole: YEA
.. The former Senate majority leader and 1996 GOP presidential nomineeendorsed Trump on May 6. He will also be the only living GOP nominee to attend the RNC. (May 6, 2016.)
John Boehner: YEA
The former speaker, who says he and Trump are “texting buddies,” told an audience at Stanford University that he’d back Trump in the general election.
Trent Lott: YEA
Dick Cheney: YEA
The former vice president blasted Trump during the primary over his stance on 9/11, and said he “sounds like a liberal Democrat,” but he now says he will back the nominee.
Newt Gingrich: YEA
Jeb Bush: NAY

Reince Priebus: YEA
Rick Perry: YEA
The former Texas governor and presidential candidate—who was one of the first to blast Trump—told CNN that he backs Trump.

Mike Huckabee: YEA
The former Arkansas governor, who ran for president this year, says Republicans should get in line.  “When we nominated people over the past several election cycles, some of us had heartburn, but we stepped up and supported the nominee,” he said. “You’re either on the team, or you’re not on the team.” (May 5, 2016)

Bobby Jindal: YEA
The former Louisiana governor, who during his own presidential campaign called Trump a “narcissist” and an “egomaniacal madman,” wrote in a Wall Street Journal column that he’s voting for Trump, “warts and all.”

Eric Cantor: YEA