Without getting into the discussion of what is genuine repentance, let's consider a real-life case for culpability.

Bill Clinton, a sex addict of the worst type, good-looking and powerful with all manner of opportunity, apparently repents his sins. "I caused my family pain", and so on.

He does everything he can to have sex without penetration so as to retain deniability. It's bullshit, you know it, I know it, everyone knows it but him. He's caught.

Newt Gingrich condemns Clinton as strongly as he can, makes life as difficult as he can for the Clintons, and takes the moral high road. All the while he is pursuing an adulturous relationship.

NOW, Gingrich can beg forgiveness from the requisite evangical minister, his wife and family, etc. and so on, for the adulturous relationship. And receive forgiveness, absolution, it never happened. A full and complete pardon from the religious community for adultery.

However, there is the seperate issue of appearing before the American people and attacking Bill Clinton, taking a strong moral position against the man. That is unrelated to the adultery, this goes to honesty. Trust.

This secondary matter involves Bill Clinton and the American people. Is it reasonable to rely upon Newt's judgements, in Newt's positions, in Newt's honesty. All of that is unaffected by Newt's apparent repentance.

Had Newt come forward before being caught, before being outed, it might be a different matter. But Newt attacked Clinton fully knowing he was guilty of the same thing, and to my knowledge hasn't expressed repentance regarding that.

And even if he did, that wouldn't change the issue. Forgiveness isn't forgetting, it is understanding the enduring humanity of the person.

That, at least, is my take on the forgiveness Newt gets. For adultery. It does not include a restoration of trust or respect.