Newt Gingrich visits state capitol

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich made a quick stop by the Washington state capitol today to talk with Republican lawmakers and the press before heading out to a rally in Federal Way.

Energy policy was a major component of Gingrich’s statements, who cited high gas prices as evidence that President Barack Obama “has no interest in lowering gas prices.”

He said America needs a plan that will make the country energy independent and called Obama’s speech on energy policy yesterday “one of his more absurd speeches.” Gingrich said his goal is to get gas prices down to $2.50 a gallon.

When asked about the issue of same-sex marriage in Washington, Gingrich said that while he wouldn’t vote in favor of the legislation, the state is heading in the right direction by taking the issue to voters.

Gingrich said he’s had successful rallies in Washington so far, and said the presidential race this year has had some unexpected twists and turns.

“This is different from any previous campaign I’m aware of,” Gingrich said. “This is a much more complicated marathon than anyone could have guessed.”

Gingrich stressed his experience in politics, and said that under his lead, “we could turn the economy around pretty fast.”

Some changes in government he’d like to make include changing unemployment compensation to include a training program component and rethinking various environmental agencies, including the US Forest Service, which he said “does a really bad job.”

He said these changes would be “more than acceptable to more social conservatives.”

 

Tags: newt gingrich, presidential election