Gingrich's Ex-Wife Gives 'Explosive' Interview

Ahead of primary, Marianne Gingrich gives reminder of Newt's romantic past
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 19, 2012 2:51 AM CST
Updated Jan 19, 2012 7:26 AM CST
Marianne Gingrich Interview Airs Today Ahead of South Carolina Primary
Newt Gingrich sits with his then-wife, Marianne, and his mother, Kathleen, during a church service in Washington.   (Getty Images)

Two days before South Carolina heads to the primary polls, ABC News will air a piece of Newt's past—an interview with his second wife, Marianne. The interview could remind the state's many religious conservatives of Gingrich's rocky romantic history, the AP notes. Gingrich, Marianne has said, proposed before finalizing his divorce from his first wife; he later acknowledged beginning a relationship with Callista Bisek before divorcing Marianne. So far, ABC is mum on what Marianne revealed in the interview, but the Drudge Report calls her revelations "explosive" ones that "are set to rock the trail."

Two of Gingrich's daughters from his first marriage weighed in for his campaign following news of the interview, saying the emotional stress of divorce may skew Marianne's comments. "Anyone who has had that experience understands it is a personal tragedy filled with regrets, and sometimes differing memories of events," said Kathy Lubbers and Jackie Cushman. "We will not say anything negative about our father's ex-wife. He has said before, privately and publicly, that he regrets any pain he may have caused in the past to people he loves." Meanwhile, his lead shrinking, Mitt Romney is attacking Gingrich—calling him a bit like Al Gore. (More Newt Gingrich stories.)

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