Newt Gingrich: “I am standing here in the People's House at the center of freedom, and it is clear to me that for America to be healthy…”

“I am standing here in the People's House at the center of freedom, and it is clear to me that for America to be healthy, our House of Representatives must be healthy. The Speaker of the House has a unique responsibility in this regard. When I became Speaker of the House, it was the most moving day I could have imagined. It was the culmination of a dream. Little did I know that only 2 years later, I would go through a very painful time. During my first 2 years as Speaker, 81 charges were filed against me. Of the 81 charges, 80 were found not to have merit and were dismissed as virtually meaningless. But the American public might wonder what kind of man has 81 charges brought against him? Under our system of government, attacks and charges can be brought with impunity against a Congressman, sometimes with or without foundation. Some of these charges involved a college course I taught about renewing American civilization. I am a college teacher by background. After years of teaching, it never occurred to me that teaching a college course about American civilization and the core values that have made our country successful could become an issue. However, as a precaution, I received the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct's approval in advance for teaching the course, and I accepted no payment for teaching the course. Nonetheless, the course became embroiled in controversy.”