“Pat” alerted me to this article regarding Newt Gingrich’s mother, Kit, who declared herself to be “Bi-polar. Reading about Newt’s upbringing in the article by the Daily Beast was very informative. It provides several possible explanations about why Newt married his High School geometry teacher while a teenager, and about why he might have a dysfunctional relationship with each of his three wives. On further investigation, it is pretty clear that bi-polar disorder has a genetic component, so there is sufficient reason for conservatives to question whether Newt Gingrich is fit to serve as president.
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December 29, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Diane
Bi polar highs and lows can be controlled by medication.
I do not think that that alone should disqualify a person from becoming POTUS.
However, Newt has a long history of impulsive behavior, be it his marital history or his actions when in Congress as Speaker of the House.
His campaign is disorganized, yet he blames others. He passes himself off as an unconventional candidate, I think, to cover up his disorganization and his impulsive behavior.
I would never vote for him, because I don’t think he has the control to be POTUS.
But, I would never say a person with a past history of depression, bipolar etc whose symptoms are under control, should be prevented from running for office.
December 29, 2011 at 2:52 pm
malialitman
Diane,
It is frightening that we currently have no way of determining if a politician has some form of mental illness, under control or not!
December 30, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Bretta
A major component of the bipolar symptomology is the “forgetfulness” or refusal-to-comply with taking the prescribed medication for the disease.
December 29, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Eulaine Hall
This can be proved with my family for sure! It traveled from my father’s mother (and who knows how much farther behind that) through my father to my brother to his chldren and their chlldren. Funny enough, it skipped me. Wonder if my mother just out-gene-ed Dad since I was the oldest?
December 29, 2011 at 2:50 pm
malialitman
Eulaine,
Thank God, you were sparred! Thanks for the gift! Malia
December 29, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Darklady
Hey, hey, hey!
Let’s not start slamming people for *possibly* having a mental disorder, especially without any evidence.
Being bipolar is not the same thing as being crazy. I have known several people with bipolar disorder over the years and while I had horrible problems (because hers was severe and her liver would adapt to medication within a couple of weeks), the majority do just fine with medication.
I’ve been repeatedly diagnosed with hypomanic cyclothemia, meaning that my highs tend to be a bit higher than average and my lows tend to be lower. My depressive states are more frequent and can be debilitating. My more manic states are enormously productive.
There are a lot of reasons for Newt to be disqualified from leading this country, but the fact his mom was bipolar ain’t one of them.
His mind-numbing and continuous sense of self-importance and historic immortality, along with his utterly insane economic/social theories are good enough reason for me.
December 29, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Anne
Hey now,my dad was bi-polar,and although I have cousins that have been diagnosed with it,neither me nor my five siblings suffer from it or any other mental disease.A parent with mental illness does not mean their children will automatically have it.Growing up with a parent that has mental illness that is due to genetics is not easy,but there are alot of things in life that are difficult.So be it-we have to decide for ourselves who and what we become inside.I loved my father,and always admired him and his strength,and proud to be his daughter. Newt is not fit to be President because he is a disgusting douche bag,and a piss poor excuse as a human being.This is by his own adult choices,and NOT because his mother was bi-polar.
December 29, 2011 at 4:50 pm
lilly lily
Look what growing up with that whack job Sarah Palin has done to her children.
I see Bristol as that selfish daughter in Mildred Pierce, though Sarah is no self sacrificing mother, she has spoiled her girls rotten.
I disagree, I think no one should even get near the immense power in the role of POTUS who is mentally ill.
Sarah with nuclear codes? Don’t make me sick.
Ditto Newt Gingrich. He is unfit as Sarah Palin though he is intelligent and she is a dolt.
December 30, 2011 at 3:58 pm
lilly lily
Wowser. Gingrich announced he might have Sarah Palin for a V.P. or a cabinet position. Is he angling for her last minute support?
He has just doomed himself. Her toxic touch. What a idiot. I guess he thinks he’ll get her bot voters.
Of course he is comfortable with bi-polar women, so doesn’t see her peculiar actions as unusual
I’m going to wait and see what happens in Iowa on Tuesday.
Happy New Year to all. May it be a healthy and happy year for all..
December 30, 2011 at 4:12 pm
lilly lily
And he broke down and cried while talking about his mother.
His private self? He was asked about his mother at a Rotery Club meeting.
I think he realizes it is over.
When an intelligent man mentions Sarah Palin as a possible running mate, or in a cabinet position. Well, that speaks for itself right there.
He knows she is a nitwit and a loose cannon, so he is desperate to gain her rabid base votes.
December 30, 2011 at 4:14 pm
malialitman
lilly lily,
Yes, he must be desperate!
January 22, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Fifty-One-Fifty
ADA. why should it matter if someone is bipolar when they are in office?