Gingrich to Pelosi: Change 'Outrageous' SOU Rebuttal
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich called on House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Wednesday afternoon to change her rebuttal to tonight's State of the Union Address, saying the language she intends to use referring to U.S. troops in Iraq as "an occupying force" is "outrageous."
"I hope before she says it tonight that she will withdraw that phrase and does not use it tonight," Gingrich told radio host Sean Hannity. "That's like describing American forces in Germany during the Cold War as an occupying force instead of a force that was protecting the German people from the Soviet Union."
In a transcript of her pre-taped remarks released to the press earlier today, the top House Republican complains: "We all know that the United States cannot stay in Iraq indefinitely and continue to be viewed as an occupying force. Neither should we slip out the back door, falsely declaring victory but leaving chaos."
Gingrich predicted that Pelosi's remarks would be used by America's enemies as a propaganda tool.
"You don't give them a chance to play the Democratic leader around the world saying something that even implies" you're critical of the troops.
"This is a big mistake. It is a bad thing for America. How can you be quiet about something that's this outrageous?" Gingrich said.
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