Gingrich feels the heat in Chicago and Denver

by Herb Kaye and Peggy Spaulding

This article was reprinted from the 26 August, 1995, issue of the People's Weekly World. For subscription information see below. All rights reserved - may be used with PWW credits.

CHICAGO -- After being greeted by angry and vociferous protesters at two book-signing attempts at bookstores in Chicago's Loop, House Speaker Newt Gingrich told the press that he draws the most vocal protesters in the Windy City. "For some reason," he said, "the unions seem more aggressive here than anywhere else."

Gingrich's latest fiasco came only two months after his last foray into Chicago when he attempted to push his book, To Renew America at the American Booksellers Convention and received a similarly "warm" reception.

Demonstrators stood by until Gingrich appeared, then pulled signs from under their shirts and dresses and began shouting," Close the book on Newt," "Stop The War on the Poor," and "Yes or No, Gingrich -- Are You Planning to Destroy Medicaid?"

One protester shouted "Is adultery a family value," referring to the report in the September issue of Vanity Fair that Gingrich had several affairs during his first marriage. When the question was brought up later by a reporter, Gingrich angrily walked out.

Gingrich fared no better when he came to Denver. There, several hundred protesters, unfazed by temperatures hovering near the 100 degree mark, picketed and chanted for three hours while "The Mouse of the House" autographed books for the Republican faithful, in from the suburbs.

Gingrich, never one to over-estimate his popularity, wisely chose a workday for his sortie into Denver, thereby limiting the size of the demonstration. But the reception given Gingrich was bad enough as a majority of passing cars and nearly all truck drivers honked and waved their support of the demonstrators.

All in all it was a rough day for the architect of the "Contract on America." Even the owner of the Tattered Cover bookstore where Gingrich was performing found a way to separate herself and the store from the event inside. While stopping short of joining the protest, the store manager sent out rolling carts filled with large plastic cups and huge containers of cool water, providing just enough relief from the oppressive heat to prolong the demonstration.