Elections 2012: Candidates' Divorce Histories

Could divorce be among the hotly contested issues in the 2012 election?

Republican candidate Newt Gingrich already dodged a bullet when asked about his marital history, and Buddy Roemer addressed his multiple divorces as well. In fact, five presidential contenders (and several other fringe candidates) have divorce histories--whether they themselves have been divorced or it was their parents who untied the knot.

Is divorce a factor in your vote? Let us know in the comments.

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Newt Gingrich

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Republican contender Newt Gingrich has been married three times. He first married his high school geometry teacher Jackie Battley in 1962; they split in 1980 while she was reportedly in the hospital recovering from uterine cancer. He began a relationship with second-wife Marianne Ginther while he was still married to Battley, though their 1981 union ended after nearly twenty years in 1999. During their divorce proceedings, congressional aide Calista Bisek--Newt's third wife--admitted to having a six year affair with the former congressman. The pair married in August 2000. When questioned about his multiple marriages in March 2011, Gingrich admitted to Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody that he had done "things that were wrong" during his married life. "There's no question at times of my life, partially driven by how passionately I felt about this country, that I worked far too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate," Gingrich said.

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Republican contender Newt Gingrich has been married three times. He first married his high school geometry teacher Jackie Battley in 1962; they split in 1980 while she was reportedly in the hospital recovering from uterine cancer. He began a relationship with second-wife Marianne Ginther while he was still married to Battley, though their 1981 union ended after nearly twenty years in 1999. During their divorce proceedings, congressional aide Calista Bisek--Newt's third wife--admitted to having a six year affair with the former congressman. The pair married in August 2000. When questioned about his multiple marriages in March 2011, Gingrich admitted to Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody that he had done "things that were wrong" during his married life. "There's no question at times of my life, partially driven by how passionately I felt about this country, that I worked far too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate," Gingrich said.

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Comments

[Godfearing]

11:55 AM on 08/09/2011

Would the pro-life movement vote for Newt if they knew he had had a vasectomy?

[ocemac]

08:59 AM on 08/06/2011

Throughout history we have learned allot of our Presidents were not sterling citizens. Should it
disqualify them, NO, depending on the problem and it's sevarity. Divorce should not matter,
but the reason for the divorce should. If it was a falling apart scenarion. Let it be.
Would Newt make a good president ? I believe he would do better than some, but a crises shows leadership and that will also show charecter. I enjoy listening to Nwets lectures, he is very informative, and understands the political arena better than most. There is a rumer he has a temper, but that may be a good thing. Johnson had one, and so did Truman. I would consider voting for Nwet, but would look over the entire field. As an Independent I do not
blindly follow party lines but will vote for the best canidate, regardless of party. But they all tell you what you want to hear.

[nbd51]

03:45 PM on 07/30/2011

No Bachman vote from me. Far more conservative and mean than I can handle.

[nbd51]

03:43 PM on 07/30/2011

I don't find the fact that he has been married three times as much a problem voting for him as the fact that he was already in other relationships when he divorced. This lack of impulse control and character indicate a reckless behavior I do not want in the President.

[indamiddle]

05:33 PM on 08/08/2011

Exactly,,,,,,,,

[mmmmikkimac]

10:34 AM on 07/19/2011

What is so funny about Gingrich and Roemer, is that they are 3 time losers, as is Beck and Rush Windbag and all appear to have been married while 'wooing' the next wife.

[mmmmikkimac]

10:30 AM on 07/19/2011

If the GOP are going to continuely talk about "Chrisitan, conservative family values" I sure would expect them to be married for the long haul - not married and divorced 3 times such as Newt has, and it leads to his ability to be faithful and true to his wife during sickness and health! It appears he isn't able to do this.

[mmmmikkimac]

10:27 AM on 07/19/2011

Old Newt has his on "conservative family values" it seems.

[Mister Neutron]

12:38 PM on 07/16/2011

"Newt Gingrich knows that before he throws his giant hat into the ring, he has to explain his past positions — specifically, why those positions were so often on top of women who weren't his wife." — Stephen Colbert

[Desuka]

03:21 PM on 07/14/2011

I couldn't imagine anyone's romantic life, so long as it is legal, from impacting my probability to vote for them.

[jerseyj40]

09:01 AM on 07/14/2011

I wouldn't vote for Newt if he was single or married 10 times. He is nasty.

[microbe42]

09:32 AM on 07/14/2011

Hey, he has been there done that, the only problem Newt has is that he is a politician !

He has served this country well, and should be a respected AMERICAN.

[DickRay Schliep]

11:41 PM on 07/13/2011

Heck yes but NEVER Gingrich, he can not keep his pants on.

[microbe42]

09:35 AM on 07/14/2011

The DEVIL made him do it ! Now, he is ready for the big leagues. Give him a break !

[bds6543]

10:24 PM on 07/13/2011

No---any President should be a "role model"'---morally and beyond reproach,honest and not lead two lives! Just look at history, a lot of them were Jackasses, and did as they pleased both politically and personally--- Clinton,Kennedy,and,yes, even FDR Our moral system in America has collaspsed---ergo,we need a strong morally "fit" leader!
,

[DickRay Schliep]

11:43 PM on 07/13/2011

Not all divorces are not the mans fault. I would have to see what fiber the man or women was made of, then decide to vote.. Bachmann is not even divorced yet, and I would NOT ever vote for her... lol

[microbe42]

09:39 AM on 07/14/2011

Hey, LOVE and LUST make slaves of the best of us ! It is not how many affairs one has had it is can there be a real soldier of fortune under the mask !

[UhGuessWhat]

09:12 PM on 07/12/2011

Divorce is not a crime therefore I would not judge a man by his status of divorce. Often a person endures emotional, even at times physical pain and trials before, during and after the divorce. However, Mr. Gingrich's multiple divorces may be caused by what appears to be his disordered personality, which would cause many votes. I only hope that his current wife or would-be future wives for that matter would not dump him so callously as he had done.

[Martha Wenstrand]

09:13 PM on 07/13/2011

I have no problem with someone being divorced = I am myself divorced. However, the manner in which he conducted himself with his marriages and divorces causes me to have no respect for him or anyone else who would do likewise. And then to say that he did things he shouldn't have because he was working hard and love his country = not even close to an excuse.

[alumcreek]

05:08 PM on 07/12/2011

Saint Ronnie was divorced and he managed to get elected so I suspect it depends on the charm the candidate manges to exude. GW bush was unfit for office but managed to get elected because of his reputed charm. I suppose any Republican can get elected even if convicted of mass murder if he is charming enough.

[M Colins]

12:10 PM on 07/14/2011

Reagan's divorce was apparently amicable and had more to do with careers that were taking them in different directions. Your comments on Bush are curious considering Clinton is as morally repugnant as they get and Obama now is being considered a mass murderer because of his reocrd use of Predator strikes, by people who used to be sympathetic.

[alumcreek]

02:09 PM on 07/14/2011

Bush was the first president who pleaded guilty to a felony before he was elected and was a known drunk and illicit drug user at least until the age of 40 but since he is a right winger all is forgiven.

You are for more morally repugnant than Bill Clinton since you are willing to forgive a felon and a massive liar who cost this nation thousands of lives and trillions of dollars just because you like his politics. Such behavior is too morally repugnant for words.

Go hang your head in shame and stop accusing others of actions you would have commited in a flash had you been given a chance.

Bush is responsible for nearly a million civilian deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan but he is a right winger and that makes it allright. Bah humbug. Why did he do it? He wanted to kill Saddam for possibly attacking his father. Small price to pay for revenge especially when you were too much of a coward to to serve in vietnam as Bush was.

[Kelton Baker]

02:36 PM on 07/12/2011

Someone completely forget to fact check this story. President James Buchanan was a lifetime bachelor and Grover Cleveland married in the White House only just prior to his second term in office.