Newt Gingrich Schools CBS Anchor on Killing Americans Turned Terrorists: “The Correct Thing in an Act of War is to Kill People who are Trying to Kill You” – Video 11/12/11

Here is one of the highlights from last night’s CBS News / National Journal GOP Presidential Debate. Newt Gingrich was asked by Scott Pelley if he would sign “that death warrant” for an American Citizen overseas who is believed to be engaging in terrorist activity against the United States. Gingrich gives a great answer, and is actually challenged by Pelley as he is trying to answer. Gingrich said such a decision is absolutely under the “rule of law” to do so if the person is engaging in war against the United States. That makes them “an enemy combatant,” and as such, Gingrich said “you have none of the civil liberties of the United States, you cannot go to court.”

Gingrich wrapped it up perfectly: “Civil/Criminal defense is a function of being within the American Law. Waging war on the United States is outside criminal law. It is an act of war and should be dealt with as an act of war, and the correct thing in an act of war is to kill people who are trying to kill you.”

This was a great moment for Newt Gingrich, and a real low-light for Scott Pelley. He is supposed to ask the questions – not argue with the candidates. Gingrich hit the ball out of the park here, and the GOP crowd let him know it.