Gingrich Angry at Scozzafava

Politics | Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 10:42:24 am PST

Newt Gingrich is reportedly angry with Dede Scozzafava for endorsing her former opponent, Democrat Bill Owens.

Scozzafava’s decision infuriated Republicans who had stuck with her, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

He told the AP that he was disappointed and “deeply upset.”

“How could she have accepted all that support?” he said, adding later, “I’m very, very let down because she told everybody she was a Republican, and she said she was a loyal Republican.”

Gingrich might be upset because he backed Scozzafava and now has to eat crow and support Hoffman. But it’s a funny kind of loyalty to demand, a loyalty that only works in one direction. If the GOP is going to start enthusiastically carrying out tea party-style purges, it’s a bit hypocritical to complain about disloyalty from the ones who are cast out.