Support WBUR

Conservatives Respond To Supporters Angry Over Pro-Mandela Statements

07:11

December 09, 2013

South African President Nelson Mandela (center) shakes hands with U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (left) as U.S. President Bill Clinton (right) looks on during ceremonies September 23, 1998, in which Mandela received the Congressional Gold Medal on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (William Philpott/AFP/Getty Images) — South African President Nelson Mandela shakes hands with U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, as U.S. President Bill Clinton looks on during ceremonies September 23, 1998, in which Mandela received the Congressional Gold Medal on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (William Philpott/AFP/Getty Images)

Some conservatives have been taking to social media to blast lawmakers who praised the late Nelson Mandela.

Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, has received some of the toughest criticism since calling Mandela "one of the greatest leaders of our lifetime."

What is the history of conservative support for Mandela, and why are some conservatives upset now?

Read Newt Gingrich's response to American conservatives

Guest

Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia and author of “The Kennedy Half-Century: The Presidency, Assassination, and Lasting Legacy of John F. Kennedy.” He tweets @LarrySabato.

This segment aired on December 9, 2013.