DAR AL HARB - U.S.A. - PENNSYLVANIA: AYE, NEWT DOES UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE WHEN IT COMES TO THE 'WAR ON TERROR'

Gingrich: Fear Islamic dictatorship
He tells crowd at Stabler Arena that's what will happen here if U.S. loses Iraq war.
By Daryl Nerl Of The Morning Call

Former House speaker and possible presidential contender Newt Gingrich, speaking Thursday night at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, conjured up images of an Islamic dictatorship in the United States as the consequence of failure in Iraq.''It isn't about Israel. It isn't about us being in Iraq,'' Gingrich told about 500 people gathered at the Impact '07 leadership conference at Stabler Arena. ''They want to impose their dictatorship on us.''

In grim terms, Gingrich described the most severe consequences for women, who he said would not have been allowed to attend the Lehigh conference.

''If you want to be able to drive, to have a job, to have a checkbook; if you don't want to have to wear a veil; if you want to be able to appear in public without a man, you'd better hope our team wins,'' Gingrich said as he concluded his appearance on the Stabler stage, the first visit to the Lehigh Valley by a potential 2008 White House contender.

During a question-and-answer session, event host and radio personality Bobby Gunther Walsh put Gingrich on the spot about his presidential aspirations, but the Pennsylvania-born former congressman from Georgia remained coy.

''Beats me,'' Gingrich said when Walsh asked him if he would run. Asked about a possible running mate, Gingrich said: ''I don't know.''

Walsh then asked the crowd if they wanted Gingrich to run, and most responded with enthusiastic applause.

Among those cheering was John Hinkle, a Lehigh County Republican committeeman from Upper Milford Township, who said Gingrich is his favorite candidate.

''I think Newt is a very smart man,'' Hinkle said. ''He understands the war on terror.''

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1) Gingrich: Fear Islamic dictatorship