That’s why, according to former U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, Newt Gingrich was forced to step aside as Speaker. While there are parts of the story he leaves out, especially regarding all the events of 1998, Souder provides a fair and balanced assessment that is probably more kind to Gingrich than not. It’s well worth a read. Fair is fair. I remembered the Gingrich ethics charges to be somewhere between the high level of infraction charged by critics and the almost non-existent infraction described by Souder, and I have hit Gingrich for it. I still think others would dispute Souder’s virtual exoneration of Gingrich. Nonetheless, based on Souder’s account, if I overstated Gingrich’s culpability in a post somewhere several months ago, as I think I may have (I can’t find the post now, but I’ll keep trying), then I withdraw that particular criticism to whatever extent it was overstated.

Either way, the Souder account is a good read. On matters aside from the formal ethics charges, plenty of others have described at great length all the horrors of Gingrichian leadership to which Souder only briefly, but memorably, alludes.

Anyway, getting the record right is important. Please do read Souder’s piece to get a thoughtful account thereof.