Late in 2011 when former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was surging in the GOP presidential primary polls, The Daily Caller sought an interview with the blonde who is always no farther than a comfortable leap away from his side, Gingrich’s third and current wife Callista.
When Mrs. Gingrich was unavailable for even a brief phone interview back in early December, TheDC settled for an offer to send prepared questions for her to answer in a timely manner.
Two and a half months later, a handler emailed Mrs. Gingrich’s answers back.
That handler would not comment on why it took so long to respond. News reports, however, show Mrs. Gingrich becoming a more visible player in her husband’s campaign. She delivered her first solo campaign speech Tuesday.
Gingrich campaign strategist Kellyanne Conway told Politico on Tuesday that Mrs. Gingrich will be taking on a more visible role in the campaign.
“There has been a hunger for a while for people to spend more time with and get to know better Callista,” Conway said, explaining that the campaign will begin offering more interviews to publications like People and Us Weekly. “I’m all for it.”
While there is some irony in leveraging a candidate’s former mistress to execute his campaign’s “bring out the wife” strategy, Mrs. Gingrich’s belated answers provide a peek into what kind of first lady she would be. (RELATED: Full coverage of the Gingrich campaign)
Michelle Obama has used her platform to take the nation on a health kick and act as an advocate for military families. Should Mrs. Gingrich take her place, she explained, her focus would be on music, on “reinforc[ing] the importance of learning American history” and on raising awareness about cancer and early detection.
“As a musician, I believe that music is a vital part of a complete education,” she told TheDC. “Music teaches discipline, character, teamwork, and self-expression. Studies indicate that music students show higher levels of proficiency in science and math. Unfortunately, many schools are forced to cut or eliminate entire music programs. I would work hard to communicate the importance of music education as a vital part of a complete education.”
Mrs. Gingrich plays the piano and French horn.
On her hoped-for White House style, she referenced former first lady Jackie Kennedy.
“I have always been a fan of classic, timeless pieces — clean suits, monochromatic colors, and three-quarter sleeves,” Mrs. Gingrich explained. “Like many, I always found Jackie Kennedy to be a true fashion icon.”
In the midst of a tough presidential campaign, she noted too that one of the “most challenging parts of being on the campaign trail is ignoring unmerited attacks.”
“Newt and I have pledged to run an issue-oriented, solutions-based campaign. Most Americans are turned-off by negative partisan attacks and we feel it is our duty to stay focused on the issues that are truly important,” she wrote. “Americans deserve real ideas and solutions to the many challenges our country is facing.”
Callista is not counting her chickens before they hatch, however.
Asked how she would handle having the eyes of the world on her, she responded, “If given the opportunity to be First Lady, I will continue to focus on supporting my husband and helping rebuild the America we love.”
But that supporting role, she said, doesn’t fall short of weighing in on weighty issues.
“My role is to support my husband and advocate policies that will help rebuild the America we love,” she wrote. “Newt and I work together on strategy, schedule, and organization. We campaign together on a regular basis. In addition, I speak independently with various groups, share our documentary films, and host book signings throughout the country.”