In 1997 the House of Representatives had a Republican majority, therefore a Republican Speaker. It was in this 105th House that, for the first time in its history, that the Speaker was reprimanded and ordered to pay a $300,000 penalty for ethical wrongdoing. The vote was 395 to 28, with 189 Republicans voting AGAINST their own party member.

It was only 1 month earlier that this same Speaker admitted that he had discredited the House and broken its rules.

Yes, Newt, who is now claims to be champion of ethics, was that Speaker.

So, the short list:
1) Newt has a long history of multiple affairs and spouses.
2) Newt is the ONLY Speaker so dishonored.
3) Newt has a long history of abusing his position to aid his donors and supporters (just think of his millions on income from Freddie Mac for "providing historical perspective.")

How does Newt's past elevate him to being the model of ethical behavior?

(As an aside, one of Newt's strongest supporters during the ethics debate in 1997 was (now) convicted felon former Republican House Speaker Tom Delay. Maybe if Newt wins the nomination, he can bring in the Texas vote by making De Lay his running mate.)

nuf said