A Word of Thanks for All Americans

Joining The Cats Roundtable from the Vatican this pre-Christmas Sunday is former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich. He railed the impeachment of President Trump, discussed the appeal of the Democratic presidential candidates, and gave his case as to why listeners should pick up his new book, Trump vs. China.

Following the House party-line vote for the impeachment of President Trump on December 18th, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been withholding the impeachment articles from the Senate, in a move some interpret as a pressure tactic, on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to permit certain witnesses. Gingrich criticized Pelosi and House Democrats for the impeachment, which he called “phony.” He was especially confused by Pelosi’s announcement to delay sending the articles to the Senate.

“I’ve never heard of anything quite like it,” he said, adding that Pelosi’s delay makes the whole impeachment process “even more political.”

He explained a key litmus test for impeachment is if Americans believe “it’s just politics.” The charges of impeachment must rise above partisanship, but if the party-line vote is any indicator, then representatives can expect a response from their constituents who find impeachment a partisan process carried out against their will.

“We have to recognize that what they’re doing goes right at the heart of the American constitution,” Gingrich told The Cats Roundtable.

But McConnell and Senate Republicans will not allow impeachment to pass, and it’s unlikely that Pelosi’s delay will lead to any perceived compromise. McConnell is focused on other, long term initiatives, such as maintaining a Republican Senate majority. With a number of Senate seats up for re-election in 2020, McConnell’s efforts will be focused on maintaining the delicate balance that sees him Majority Leader, so Republicans can continue to appoint judges and create what Gingrich calls a “constitutional, conservative judiciary.”

Gingrich spoke strongly about the Democratic debates on Dec. 19th, telling The Cats Roundtable that when put up against President Trump for the 2020 presidential election, the Democrats fall short, calling them “plain boring.” He added the dissonance in Democrats was highlighted during the debates, especially during a spar over fundraising in wine caves; scenarios like this, leave Americans scratching their heads. Though Mike Bloomberg was not present at the debate, Newt Gingrich is skeptical of the impact of the former New York

Mayor’s entry into the Democratic primary race. With Bloomberg’s lukewarm reaction from Democratic voters, and tepid reaction from Republicans, Gingrich doubts the candidacy of Bloomberg. “I have a hunch in the end that he’s just going to quietly disappear,” he explained.

With all eyes on impeachment, Gingrich took time to reflect on another pressing challenge rising on America’s horizon. He wrote his new book Trump vs. China because our relationship with China could surpass the conditions of the Cold War. While Russia’s nuclear capabilities mean the U.S. has to treat them carefully, the Chinese Government’s, China First policies, mean the U.S. will have a real contender as leader in the international sphere. “In the end, I think we can be very successful, but none of us should kid ourselves about how serious a competitor they’re going to be,” he explained.