Gingrich ignores Obama's "a Muslim" comment [View all]

[steve2470]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57402072-503544/gingrich-ignores-obamas-a-muslim-comment/?tag=re1.channel

(CBS News) LAKE CHARLES, La. - After a Louisiana voter today called President Obama a Muslim during a question-and-answer session at a campaign stop, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich chose to ignore the comment rather than correct the misstatement.

After speaking to an overflow crowd of over 200 people at the Harlequin Steaks and Seafood Restaurant, Gingrich opened the event to questions. A local man, Bob Nolan, of Lake Charles, began by making a comment about the president.

"I believe that Obama is not stupid," Nolan said to Gingrich. "I believe he knows exactly how the economy works, but I also believe that number one, he's a Muslim. Number two, he's a student of Saul Alinsky ... and I believe that it's his policy to bring this country to its knees and ruin the United States of America." Another man chimed in, "I believe that, too."

Gingrich paused for a brief moment before he answered, "I believe this is a president who prefers power to prosperity and who follows policies that centralize power in the government. And if the price of that is that we're poorer and we have fewer jobs and that we have less energy, that's fine with him. It's a price he'll pay. "