Here’s one thing you might not know about Newt Gingrich: the man is bonkers about zoos. He loves ‘em! He even wrote the forward to a book called “America’s Best Zoos: A Travel Guide for Fans & Families.” Then again, Newt has written something like 10 books during his political life across a wide range of interests, ranging from historical novels about Gettysburg and George Washington to titles like “Rediscovering God in America” and “Saving Lives, Saving Money.” But when he’s on the campaign trail Newt frequently enjoys visiting zoos—apparently it’s a bit of a passion.
Yesterday he was taking a private tour of the St. Louis zoo before a speaking engagement for the National Rifle Association (you can’t make this stuff up), when a penguin bit him on the finger.
Reuters writes:
[Gingrich] passed unscathed through Big Cat Country and avoided contact with the crocodiles in the Herpetarium. But his visit took a turn when a Magellanic penguin pecked at the candidate’s hand.
Reuters also notes that Gingrich is facing pressure to drop out of the presidential race, facing near-impossible odds and with his campaign apparently so broke they bounced a $500 check. They say some animals can sniff vulnerability, like a shark smelling blood in the water. Maybe that’s what got the penguin going?
April 17, 2012 at 5:28 pm, Candice Smith said:
animals are a good judge of people….
April 18, 2012 at 2:20 am, Dan Stiurca said:
what do you have against Newt? maybe he looked delicious…
April 18, 2012 at 2:32 pm, Kevin Smith said:
Dan Stiurca Gingrich is a heterosupremacist in a age when gay teens are committing suicide at an alarming rate over constant bullying. (at least 2 more in the last 2 weeks, BTW) Makes it a little tough to like him.
April 18, 2012 at 3:01 pm, Dan Stiurca said:
Kevin Smith I don't know who Dan Stiurca Gingrich is, but Kevin Smith should get a sense of humor.
April 18, 2012 at 3:02 pm, Dan Stiurca said:
Kevin Smith a penguin bit his finger. that's funny. it's not political, the penguin doesn't care. it wasn't even a gay penguin. it's just funny. laugh.
April 17, 2012 at 2:28 pm, Lunchtime Links - The Daily What said:
[...] Attacked: Newt Gingrich, by a penguin [...]
April 17, 2012 at 10:55 pm, David Forrest said:
http://cheezburger.com/6125315072
April 18, 2012 at 1:56 am, Becky Uran Markman said:
Truth is stranger than fiction.