Gibbs hits back at Gingrich for Kenya comment
Alexander Mooney
CNN Ticker Producer
(CNN) – White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says he doesn't have the slightest idea what Newt Gingrich is talking about.
Gibbs' comments come a day after the former House Speaker told the National Review that President Obama follows a "Kenyan, anti-colonial" worldview that in turn supports his policy positions on a range of issues.
"I don't even have – quite frankly – the slightest idea what he's talking about," an amused Gibbs told ABC News Monday morning. "I think Newt Gingrich knows that he's trying to appeal to the fringe of people that don't believe the president was born in this country."
"You would normally expect better from somebody who held the position of speaker of the House," Gibbs added. "But, look, it's political season. And most people'll say anything. And Newt Gingrich does that … on a regular basis."
In his comments to the National Review – published on the conservative publication's Web site over the weekend – Gingrich also said Obama had conned his way into the Oval Office by painting himself as a mainstream American.
|
|
Filed under: 360° Radar |
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
As a proud 73-yr old Canadian of Norwegian/ Finish heritage...Gingrich and this latest racist Republican rant goes way beyond even the most stupid Scandinavian Uff DA Joke! Newt again shows how really stupid a Norwegian he is...who's so dumb he thinks a can opener is a key to the bathroom. When God gave out brains Gingrich thought God said "trains" and failed to get in the correct lineup! This ignorant comment is way beyond politically correct. Miriam Stange, Clayton, CA
I can't believe what Newt Gingrich is saying about the President. He's a moron. And, he's a professor of history? I guess he doesn't know anything about anti-colonialism. Isn't that why the colonies revolted? He is specifically referring to Mr. Obama's race by referencing his Kenyan father. His comments are racist. What is he actually trying to say? Where is the respect for the office of the president? You just can't say anything you want about the President. He was elected president by the people of this country. You may disagree with some of the things he says and is doing but is it necessary to malign him and accuse him of not even being an American? I am disgusted with the Republican party. The country is in the mess its in because of President Bush and the Republicans. Instead of helping the President turn the economy around and create new jobs, their sole purpose has been to discredit the President. Who are these people in the Senate and the House working for anyway? They're not working for the people of this country. They're working for themselves. I think everyone in Congress should be thrown out and we should start over.
Silly season seems to be here for politics – Gingrich is too smart a man to believe the birther stance but he is enough of a politician to use it for any gain he can get out of it. I hope he goes back to teaching and writing soon. His books are pretty good; maybe he should stay with that and leave politics alone.
Technically, they're both wrong. Gingrich is wrong that President Obama "conned" his way to the presidency given his past associations with Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright were brought up during the presidential campaign. And Obama isn't a mainstream American because he is out of touch with the American people when it comes to issues like sensitivity towards the victims of 9/11 in regards to the proposed Islamic center near ground zero. In other words, it's a lose-lose situation.