Newt Gingrich on The 700 Club: A President Needs to Be 'Leader of the Entire American Family'
The presidential campaign of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich could be the comeback story of the year. He's risen from a summer disaster to leading the polls in early primary states like Iowa, South Carolina, and others.
Recently, The Brody File crew slapped a wireless microphone on Newt and went on the road with him to Iowa and New Hampshire. Have a look at the piece that aired nationally on "The 700 Club" Tuesday.
Below the video are NEW interview transcription quotes from Newt Gingrich that have never been released before. Also, Mark Halperin is in this piece along with Penny Nance from Concerned Women for America.
Newt Gingrich on the office of the presidency:
The president of the United States is much more than manager of the American government. He or she is the leader of the entire American family. And that is a really extraordinary spiritual, psychological, historical, cultural job that transcends politics. And I think the great presidents all know that…It is very sobering to realize that we're doing well enough that, you know, I could end up having to face an enormous challenge next year.
Newt Gingrich on his rise:
They (voters) are hungry for somebody that can stand up to Obama in the debate, and they do not like to watch Republicans attack each other. So, every time these guys have had consultants be clever, they've actually weakened themselves in the attack, and that's part of it."
Newt Gingrich on how he’s different at 68 years old:
Oh, I'm much better now. I waste less energy. I do fewer dumb things.
Mark Halperin on Gingrich:
The press looks at the bombastic Newt and thinks this is a joke, this is not someone who can be a compelling leader. I think a lot of voters in the conservative movement want someone who is like Churchill, want someone who is like Reagan. Want someone who is big and an historical figure.
And while Gingrich, when he talks about himself that way turns off some elites, I think some voters actually like it. And look to that and say, 'We want to beat Barack Obama. We need someone bigger than life, someone who thinks of themselves bigger than life in order to win.'
Penny, president of Concerned Women for America:
I want to know who are you today. Which man are you today? Which man would you be as president? I would want to sense a real change in his moral character.