Newt Gingrich made an appearance yesterday at the University of South Dakota. He made some news.
Newt Gingrich, the former Republican Speaker of the House, told students and faculty at the University of South Dakota Monday that the United States should pull out of Iraq and leave a small force there, just as it did post-war in Korea and Germany.
“It was an enormous mistake for us to try to occupy that country after June of 2003,” Gingrich said during a question-and-answer session at the school. “We have to pull back, and we have to recognize it.”
But don’t get all warm and fuzzy towards Newt. His pessimism towards Iraq does not extend to Iran.
Iran as a nuclear threat was on the forefront of some students’ minds as they asked if the United States would be capable of subduing Iran as a nuclear threat.
Gingrich told the students their generation was entering a dangerous period – just as dangerous or more than that of the Cold War. He said the best move would be to replace Iran’s government by organizing opposition within Iran.
A student asked if that would be possible now, considering the United States’ involvement in Iraq.
“Could we do it technically? Yes,” Gingrich said. “We’re not using much of our Navy or Air Force.
“If Iranians don’t think you’re prepared to replace their government, they’ll never consider (a) deal.”
After Gingrich impressed on these young minds the essential nature of PermaWar, he explained the nature of leadership.
“In the American model, power comes from God to you. We then loan it to the government,” he said. “The key to a leader is you listen first.”
Any questions?