THE STUDY JANUARY 31, 2012
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Newt Gingrich is, in all likelihood, heading towards a loss tonight in Florida. It wasn’t so long ago that the Speaker was riding high off a double-digit victory in South Carolina, where he declared that “the centerpiece” of the campaign was “American exceptionalism versus the radicalism of Saul Alinsky.” Since Gingrich has promised to take his campaign all the way to the convention regardless of tonight’s results, we can expect to hear a lot more about Saul Alinsky. What was Alinsky’s legacy?
A 1998 paper in Theological Studies argues that Alinsky played a central role in the history of U.S. Catholicism—specifically, the Campaign for Human Development (CHD), “the most significant and longest-running experiment of 20th-century U.S. Catholic social action.” The CHD, which was started in 1969, reflected the Church’s concern for the poor and marginalized by embracing a program of political and social action. Many of the Catholic leaders behind the movement were closely associated with Alinsky and drew inspiration from his organizing work in Chicago. One of the campaign’s central concerns was the cycle of poverty, and to address that crisis, it focused on the need for political organization among impoverished populations. This, it turns out, was an idea directly inspired by Gingrich’s bogeyman: “Their recognition that the poor needed organized power sprang directly from their respect for Saul Alinsky.” That’s a bit of an awkward fact for a candidate who has touted his own conversion to Catholicism.
4 comments
Addiction is an interesting topic. I am moderately addicted to food, and was overweight for years. After I became moderately addicted to exercise, I got my weight down enough to be moderately healthy (or so my doctor politely tells me, my bp tests indicate, as do my insulin tests). Everyone is addicted to something -- if nothing more than oxygen and water. I am wondering about Newt's addictions? Sex, perhaps? Converting to new religious beliefs? Criticizing everyone who is not as perceptive as he is? Isn't he criticizing Romney for having too much money, and perhaps corrupting the political process? And isn't Newt doing quite a bit of community organizing, of you call the Tea Party (and allies) a community? How soon until Newt sees the light again, and becomes a Democrat? Lucky us!!!!
- skahn
January 31, 2012 at 4:14pm
You know those dreams where you're walking around in public and all the sudden notice that you're naked, or maybe wearing pajamas, and you get embarrassed and try to think of someplace to hide? When Newt has that dream, he's not embarrassed - he's leading a parade and loving every minute of it. That's the difference between you and Newt.
- GeoffG
January 31, 2012 at 4:15pm
Actually, I heard that Mr. Gingrich plans to wear very colorful clothing. A gas jet will heat up his volume of hot air and cause him to float upward with passengers in a gondola attached to his inflated feet. The plan is that hot air balloon rides will be offered in exchange for campaign contributions.
- Nusholtz
January 31, 2012 at 4:58pm
it is a shame no reporter calls him out on this, I imagine most of the clowns at his rallies hear the name Saul Alinsky and think "eww....commie russian jew" I would love to hear Gingrich condemn the Pope for giving Alinsky the Pace in Terram award. (or however it is spelled) down here in Oaxaca the church provides a wonderful role providing shelter and protection for migrants from central America on the way to the states. I am sure Gingrich would fight to close their funding down. And kudos to TNR for reporting on facts as to Alinsky.
- blackton
January 31, 2012 at 6:54pm