Gingrich says he would "replace" Assad

By: Sarah Huisenga
Topics: Foreign Policy ,; Campaign 2012

(Credit: AP Photo/ Richard Shiro)

Taking a hard line on a U.S. foe in the Middle East, Republican presidential front-runner Newt Gingrich indicated Wednesday that he would unilaterally "replace" Syrian President Bashar al-Assad because he is running a "bad dictatorship."

The former House speaker was asked on a morning radio show in Chicago to offer a "30-second" answer to what he would do about Syria, where anti-government protests have led to a violent crackdown. Gingrich said, "I can give you a three-second answer. Replace Assad. I mean Assad is our enemy. He is an ally of Iran. It is a bad dictatorship. It is to our interest to get rid of dictators of this kind."

Gingrich did not say how he would remove Assad, and acknowledged there would be "consequences" to such an overt U.S. action. He said that as president, it would be his job to manage them. "Now that means you have consequences and have to be much better at managing the consequences than this administration has been," he said on the Don Wade & Roma radio show. "But I think none the less getting rid of Assad will lead to a better future than keeping him there."

Assad is under mounting international pressure over a military crackdown on anti-government protesters. While the United Nations estimates some 4,000 people have been killed, Assad denied ordering his troops to attack, telling ABC News this week only a "crazy" leader kills his own people.

Sarah Huisenga
Sarah Huisenga is covering the Mitt Romney campaign for CBS News and National Journal.
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by devinesara December 9, 2011 1:15 PM EST: End this nonsense now! Vote for Ron Paul.; Reply to this comment


by ruffiannd December 8, 2011 7:29 AM EST: Wow... a year away from election day and Newt is already planning new wars.; Reply to this comment

by JoeLoerzel December 7, 2011 6:09 PM EST

Yikes! A person who, during the Vietnam War, used his family's influence to get a draft deferment is advocating removing a President of another country. I suppose he'll want to use the very military he avoided in order to do that.

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by Zann-Zel December 8, 2011 10:53 AM EST: See Newt's a memeber of the "elite" he's not supposed to fight - just take home the gold!

We need to change things people!


by leinadsorihcak December 7, 2011 6:04 PM EST: go doit better there then here; Reply to this comment


by Zann-Zel December 7, 2011 4:22 PM EST: Wow - that was the height of arrogance!

Newt? You sound like you hired him to do a job and you, and you alone, have the right to fire him!

I got news for you - YOU aren't Syrian, you don't even get a vote! Much less THE only Vote!; Reply to this comment


by bajajohn1 December 7, 2011 3:09 PM EST: Very ignorant comments from Gingrich, but why should anyone be surprised? Contrary to popular Republican belief, we are but one nation in this world and do not own the rest of the planet. Gingrich is not even qualified to be President of a restroom.; Reply to this comment

by jade84116 December 7, 2011 2:55 PM EST

What's the difference between replacing Qaddafi and Assad?????

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by jade84116 December 7, 2011 2:57 PM EST: If replacing violent leaders is bullying and imperialistic, then what about Obama's helping Britain and France replace Qaddafi?????


by bajajohn1 December 7, 2011 3:12 PM EST: Is this a trick question or a riddle?


by drcbs December 7, 2011 2:48 PM EST: Can you say "imperialist" ?; Reply to this comment

by cdraper5 December 7, 2011 2:44 PM EST

The first of many knucklehead statements! Keep'em coming Fig!

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by ariz_1944 December 9, 2011 8:34 AM EST: PLEASE do not INSULT FIGS like THIS!! I have eaten GOOD FIGS, MOST of which were a LOT SMARTER THAN NEWT!!!!!


by stevex47 December 7, 2011 2:42 PM EST: This latest "darling" of the nutbirthers has NO intention of ever being President.

He knows that pompous, dangerous answers like this will assure he NEVER gets near the white house.

He's only in this for the cache, obviously.; Reply to this comment