Opinion: Newt Gingrich flunks as a historian when discussing Sarah Palin

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Newt Gingrich, even as he joined the chorus of Republican conservative leaders lauding John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate, still must have been somewhat rattled by the pick. At least, that’s the only way we can explain an uncharacteristic lapse in the history department. Gingrich is known for his command of history (anyone doubting that should just ask him).

Gingrich, a trained historian who taught the subject at the University of West Georgia before taking the leap into politics, was listing Palin’s various attributes during a weekend appearance on Fox News when he added this: ‘She’s the first journalist ever to be named to a national ticket.’

Wrong.

In fact, not even close to being right.

At least three fellows who worked as ink-stained wretches have appeared at the top of major-party tickets (and we would not be surprised if there were others among the cast of often-obscure vice presidential candidates in the distant past).

The 1920 presidential election (the first in which women could vote) featured two journalists-turned-politicians squaring off for the White House.

Republican Warren G. Harding worked for a couple of small newspapers in Ohio before serving for many years as editor and publisher of the Marion Daily Star in the state. He ran against -- and defeated in a landslide -- fellow Ohioan James Cox, a reporter who rose to become editor and owner of several papers, including the Dayton Daily News. From that perch, he established Cox Enterprises, a large media company now headquartered in Atlanta.

More recently, Al Gore (Newt MUST remember him) includes on his resume a lengthy stint as a reporter at the Nashville Tennessean.

All of Gingrich’s commentary can be viewed below.

Perhaps the point Gingrich meant to make was that Palin, a journalism major at the University of Idaho, is the first one-time sportscaster on a national ticket. Here’s a clip of one of her broadcasts from 20 years ago:

-- Don Frederick