Editorial: It would be wise to listen to Ford

Wednesday, June 3, 1998 | 9:39 a.m.

The latest Gingrich blunder is his unconscionable attack -- while on foreign soil -- of our nation's policy with Israel. To top it off, Gingrich made a personal attack on Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, saying she is an "agent" for the Palestinians.

Because Gingrich has had a track record of making outrageous statements, it takes a lot to create a stir, but he's certainly done it this time. It is quite a departure, though, from the "new Newt" unveiled earlier this spring following the release of his latest book, "Lessons Learned." In that book, Gingrich atoned for his past mistakes, including opening his mouth when he should have kept it shut. But shortly after his book tour, Gingrich reverted to his old self, launching unnecessary partisan attacks on President Clinton.

Former President Gerald Ford this week offered some unsolicited advice for Gingrich during a speech at the National Press Club. "One thing that speakers have to understand is that the speaker is speaker for the House ... 434 members of both parties" in addition to himself, Ford said. "He doesn't speak as a partisan. He speaks for all members of the House," Ford, the former House minority leader, said.

While Democrats watch in glee as Gingrich self-destructs and helps their chances to retake the House, the sad fact is that the speaker's actions aren't doing anything to improve the House and its standing with the public. Gingrich is practicing the politics of division, which is harming the House. He should scuttle the rhetoric and take some advice from the former Republican president who helped heal the nation's wounds following the Watergate scandal.