7 Dec 2011 10:54 am
Rachel Maddow reminds us that on December 6th, 16 years ago, the House Select Committee on Ethics voted to initiate a preliminary inquiry into the allegations concerning Representative Newt Gingrich and the misuse of tax exempt organizations. December 6th was the start of Newt Gingrich`s collapse in political life in 1995.Maddow: Newt Gingrich was the first speaker in the 208-year-history of the House to be reprimanded for ethical wrongdoing, for bringing dishonor to the House of Representatives. He was slapped with a $300,000 fine by the House. And this wasn`t a partisan vote. I mean, you heard Tom Brokaw say there by an overwhelming vote. The House voted 395 to 28 against Newt Gingrich, 196 Republicans voted against him. So when Mr. Gingrich talks now about those ethics violations back then, having been part of some partisan witch hunt, what you need to say back to him is, hey, 395-28. Wasn't that the vote?VideoTranscript Edited by MistyBlue, 07 December 2011 - 11:55 AM.