Gingrich Blasts Obama on Contraception Policy

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright February 7, 2012
All Rights Reserved.                                         

            After losing the Nevada Caucus by 38% to GOP frontrunner former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich blasted President Barack Obama for requiring Catholic hospitals to provide free contraception.  Gingrich, who became a Catholic in 2009, doesn’t understand the Constitution’s Separation Clause, requiring federally tax-exempt institutions to follow the U.S. Constitution, requiring a strict separation between church and state.  Various religions have every right to protest against government rules, including gay marriage, but they don’t have a right to ignore appropriate federal laws.  “This is a tremendous infringement of religious liberty,” said Gingrich, unable to tell the difference between the hospitals and church organizations.  Hospitals are not the same as tax-exempt religious institutions that can discriminate against non-believers, if they wish.

            Catholic hospitals are tax-exempt institutions requiring them to comply with federal laws to receive their tax-exempt status.  “Every time you turn around the secular government is shrinking the rights of religious institutions in America,” said Gingrich, again not understanding the difference between hospitals and private enterprises.  If it’s illegal for Catholic physicians to deny medical services to patients, why should it be OK for hospitals to deny contraception?  Religious-sponsored institutions are not tax-exempt religious institutions, they are tax-exempt businesses subject to federal laws.  “The fact is what you’re saying is there cannot be a genuine Catholic hospital,” said Gingrich, not seeing the difference between churches and hospitals.  No state licensed physician, nurse or other health care practitioner can deny services to the public because of their religious affiliations.

            Obama isn’t at war with religion:   He simply expects tax-exempt institutions to follow the same federal laws, requiring hospitals to provide free contraception services.  Gingrich’s loss Saturday in Nevada’s caucuses puts his campaign on the rocks, now seeing Romney as his Party’s nominee, for better or worse.  Bashing Obama proves that Newt sees the handwriting on the walls.  “It will have to be subordinated to the secular government,” said Gingrich, proving he’s prone toward non sequiturs and knows little about the Constitution’s Separation Clause.  Even former President George W. Bush came very close to crossing the line, allowing Christian prayer vigils and bible studies in the White House.  Religious institutions have certain privileges and protections that hospitals or other businesses do not.  Practicing religion “shall not be infringed by the federal government,” reads the First Amendment.

            Saying that Obama is at “war” with the Church is so far off the rails that Gingrich should throw in the towel on his candidacy.   Insisting that Barack has launched “the most outrageous assault on religious freedom in American history” proves that Gingrich isn’t fit to hold elected office.  Giving out free condoms at Catholic hospitals isn’t blasphemy against the Vatican.  It’s blasphemy for Gingrich not to see that Catholic institutions of higher learning or hospitals can’t discriminate against American citizens protected by the Constitution and applicable federal laws, including the one that requires them to provide free contraception.   How Gingrich, who holds a Ph.D. in history, gets his wires crossed is anyone’s guess.  His poor performance in Nevada has made it clear that his campaign had no momentum and unraveled quickly after winning the South Carolina primary Jan. 21.

            Now that Newt finds himself defeated by Romney, he turns his ire on Obama hoping to win Brownie points for possible vice presidential consideration.  Romney won’t make the same mistake as McCain in 2008, picking former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.  Gingrich wants to show he’s “real” conservative,” calling Romney “Obama-lite,” burning bridges for VP consideration.  “I believe President Obama is such a direct threat to the future of this country that I will support the Republican nominee because I believe President Obama is a disaster,” said Gingrich, making no sense and spewing such incendiary rhetoric he should step aside.  Expecting Catholic hospitals to follow federal laws doesn’t infringe on religion under the First Amendment.  Preserving the First Amendment and Separation Clause protects the country more than exempting Catholic hospitals from federal law.

            Gingrich hopes to buy himself time for Super Tuesday when some 10 states, including his home state of Georgia, go to the polls.  Making outrageous statements about Obama shows Newt’s desperation after his campaign’s tailspin. Newt knows that the U.S. isn’t a theocracy that protects certain institutions from following federal laws.  Keeping religion out of politics wasn’t the framers’ attempt to infringe on the practice of organized religion:  It was an attempt to keep religion out of politics and government.  Turning his frustration on Obama wins Newt plaudits from conservatives but doesn’t buy him any real votes in future primaries.  His past peccadilloes and ethical breaches while House Speaker give Newt more skeletons than a bad Halloween movie.  Bashing Obama proves that Newt has accepted defeat in the GOP primaries and looks to score Brownie points with conservatives.

  John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.       

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