Gingrich Focuses on Economy; Doesn't Pledge Allegiance to Family Leader

Newt Gingrich argued Monday night in Iowa City that traditional Republican values -- small government, a strong national defense and a robust unregulated economy -- are important to the strengthening of families.

The former Speaker of the House and current Republican Presidential candidate lectured for about 30 minutes and then answered audience questions as part of the Family Leader's Presidential Lecture series. While referring to the importance of God to the country's future, his focus was decidedly on government policy.

The Family Leader is an influential Christian political organization that has already brought several candidates to Iowa with its lecture series. The group challenged candidates last week to sign a "marriage pledge," a promise to be faithful to their spouses, oppose gay marriage rights, keep female soldiers out of combat and fight against economic policies the group deems harmful to families.

The organization said it will not support any candidate who does not sign the pledge; Gingrich said earlier in the day he will not sign unless some language of the pledge is changed. Gingrich also avoided speaking on social conservative issues such as abortion or gay marriage during his speech.

Gingrich argued during his half-hour speech that nothing is more important for families than improving the economy and that establishing the concept that individual rights, derived from God, are paramount.

"The center of American society is the citizen, not the government," Gingrich said. "You can only have a family centered society if you have sovereign citizen, otherwise we are all subordinate to bureaucrats."

As political events go, Gingrich's speech was true to the spirit of a lecture rather than the pep-rally atmosphere of some political speeches.

Gingrich started off with a speech, then answered a few questions submitted from the audience.The audience of about 70 people in attendance applauded occassionally as he spoke, but they mostly listened in silence as he talked at length on multiple topics, weaving in references to the U.S. Constitution, American history and his many books and newsletters.

Joanne Leach, a registered Republican from Iowa City, said she enjoyed Gingrich's talk.

"He knows history, he knows the legislative process, and he knows how to get things done," Leach said.

She said she would support Gingrich if he were chosen as Republican nominee, but that she potentially had higher choices for the caucus.

Gingrich said he would lower taxes, reduce regulations and run a government that "likes jobs." Rather than increase taxes to reduce the deficit, he said the government could raise money by better exploiting the country's oil and gas resources.

Gingrich also criticized President Barack Obama's stance on terrorism, claiming the president has downplayed the threat of radical Islamists. He said Obama and others have not been honest about the threats facing America.

"We are not safer than we were on September 11th, after 10 years of effort," he said.

He said national defense was a family issue as well, as there are many families who have family members serving in the military overseas, and the safety of the country is important.

When asked what the biggest challenge the United States faces, Gingrich said it is having a serious conversation about the nation's problems.

"This is not a gameshow, this is not American Idol," Gingrich said.

Reginald Cooper, Emeritus Chairman of Orthopoedic Surgery at the University of Iowa, said he highly respects Gingrich as a thinker and would support him as a presidential candidate.

"There are other good candidates, but I think [Gingrich] is just so smart, I think he would make a great president," Cooper said following the speech.

Earlier this year Cooper invited Gingrich to speak on health care to the University of Iowa health department faculty. Gingrich said during his speech that he wanted to continue this discussion on science and medicine by returning to Iowa City sometime in the fall.

The Family Leader Presidential Lecture Series Speaker Line-up So Far

February 7 - Governor Tim Pawlenty
March 7 - Congressman Ron Paul
April 11 - Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and 
Congressman Ron Paul
May 2 - Senator Rick Santorum
June 6 - Herman Cain
July 11 - Speaker Newt Gingrich
August 8 - TBD