Newt Gingrich Rallies Students Before Election

Newt Gingrich led the House of Representatives during the Clinton Administration, but his political career is far from over.

“I would like to welcome one of the world’s most well known statesmen, a forward thinking leader, who is fueled by his belief that one person really can make a difference,” Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. said.

Former Speaker of the House Gingrich took center stage at Convocation Wednesday, turning the topic from worship to God’s role in the political scene.

“With your help and God’s blessing, we will win,” Gingrich said. “Freedom will prevail.”

Gingrich was reminding the crowd of 8,000 that the founding fathers fought against tyranny and government takeover.

“They believed they were basing American freedom on truths because they had sought to understand God’s will and God’s truth,” Gingrich said.

U.S. Congressional candidate Robert Hurt (R-5) reminded the audience that founding fathers Patrick Henry, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson lived in Central Virginia, and they believed nothing was more important than life, liberty and property, he said.

“They understood tyranny, they understood liberty and they were willing to sacrifice their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor in support of those principles,” Hurt said.

The American people need to vocalize their opposition to current government intrusion, Hurt said.

“Every generation since that time has stood up and fought for those principles and now is our time to do the same,” Hurt said.

Like Hurt, Gingrich told a group of reporters later that the Obama administration is not representing the views of the American people.

“You would hope that just out of authenticity as President, that he would stop and say ‘gosh, maybe the American people have sent me a signal,’” Gingrich said. “If he wants to be President of the American people, then there has to be listening to the American people.

“Republicans need to take a stand now by “passing a no tax increase on any American during the recession” after the November elections and before January when the newly elected officials are sworn in, Gingrich said.

“If the Democrats refuse to do that, then the President has to decide, is he prepared to wage class warfare to a degree that he would veto a tax cut for every American or is he going to recognize the outcome of the election and try to accommodate the American people?” Gingrich said.

With a week until mid-term elections, Gingrich is keeping his focus on rallying behind Republican candidates such as Hurt, he said. After the mid-term election, he will focus more on the 2012 Presidential election.

“I’m pretty serious about how much I think all of us should take seriously the obligation to save this civilization from the forces that threaten it,” Gingrich said.

Gingrich did not rule out a bid for the Republican nomination for President, he said. Falwell hopes Gingrich will consider that option.

“­­He is the most intelligent of all the candidates, the most educated on the issues and what he said today is exactly what the nation needs at this point in our history so I hope he does run,” Falwell said.

At Liberty, only a few Convocations each year have a political emphasis but, whenever political issues are addressed on a university campus, there is always the potential for controversy. Falwell stated that he was proud of how Liberty University students made Newt feel welcome at Liberty.

“I traveled with my father years ago when he spoke at several Ivy League universities. The students booed, hissed and were very disrespectful. That practice continues when conservative speakers visit those schools today. While I am sure there were a few of our students who did not agree with everything Newt had to say, they were extremely polite and respectful.

There were a few awkward moments when students were unsure whether to applaud but our students represented Christ well with their behavior. Speaker Gingrich and his staff commented about how impressed they were with our undergraduate students at Convocation and our law students in the afternoon session,” Falwell said.

Zosh is the editor in chief.