In Iowa, Newt Gingrich Pledges as Nominee to Shadow Obama Until he Accepts 7 Lincoln-Douglas Style Debates – Complete Video 11/4/11

Here is video of Newt Gingrich delivering remarks last night at the Iowa Republican Party’s Ronald Reagan Dinner. Gingrich spent the early part of his speech doing something you rarely hear – praising his Republican challengers. Gingrich went through every candidate present at the dinner and said something good about them. “I’m here with really fine competitors, but no opponents. We only have one opponent – and that’s Barack Obama.”

Newt asked for the attendees support on “January 3″ (Iowa Caucus Date) to launch his candidacy to change America. Gingrich said what we are faced with today is a “radical ideology,” and “an inexperienced, incompetent President.” Gingrich said the country needs someone, like himself, who will challenge President Obama to 7 Lincoln-Douglas style debates – 3 hours in length, no moderator, just a timekeeper. Gingrich said he would even concede to let Obama “use a teleprompter.”

Gingrich said if nominated, he would make the challenge to Obama and if Obama does not accept, he will announce in his acceptance speech that he will shadow Obama everywhere he goes – as Abraham Lincoln did to Stephen Douglas – appearing four hours after Obama appears somewhere to answer whatever he has said. “The White House will be my scheduler,” Gingrich said, to the applause of the crowed.

I said more than a month ago to watch out for Newt Gingrich. His message is resonating, and this challenge to Obama is electrifying. It is the kind of the thing an entire campaign could be built around, and Gingrich would destroy Obama in one-on-one Lincoln-Douglas style debates without a moderator to help steer the questions in his favor. If Obama refuses to debate Gingrich, he will come off looking like a coward. It’s a win-win for Gingrich.