Newt Gingrich Says Trey Radel Deserves Forgiveness, Compares Him To Anthony Weiner

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Rep. Trey Radel (R-Fla.), who was arrested in October for possession of cocaine, deserves forgiveness.

According to Saint Peters Blog, Gingrich told the Naples Daily News he thought people would be keeping the congressman in their prayers because it's "Thanksgiving and Christmas season." Gingrich also said Radel, who is taking a leave of absence after being sentenced to one-year probation, should get a second chance just like other embattled lawmakers, including former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.).

“Does he come out of rehab genuinely changed or is it all a gimmick? If it’s a gimmick, he won’t survive,” Gingrich said. “The example we had with Weiner in New York is that people will forgive you once. They won’t forgive you twice.”

Not all Republicans are as forgiving of Radel. In November, the Republican Party of Florida called for Radel's resignation, a move backed by Republican Gov. Rick Scott.