...at a town hall meeting when asked about the influence of his mother. Now his mother had several health issues and passed away in 2003. I understand what he must have gone through because I am facing the same issues with my own mother's decline, and unfortunately I'm all she's got. That said the timing of all this seems very peculiar. Newt could very well come in 5th place in Iowa next Tuesday, and I can't help but feel he was looking for sympathy and for people to feel sorry for him, as if to convince people he's human afterall. The word "staged" came to mind.