David Barton and Newt Gingrich have been working together for years now, but today was the first time Gingrich had ever appeared on Barton’s “Wallbuilders Live” radio program.
Gingrich came on to discuss his recent column opposing the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque” and did so did so with typical Gingrichian belligerence, but eventually the topic turned toward how to actually prevent it from being built and Gingrich’s preferred solution is for Congress to declare Ground Zero to be a national battlefield memorial:
Well, there are a lot of places. I think the Congress has the ability to declare the area a national battlefield memorial because I think we should think of the World Trade Center as a battlefield site; this is a war.
The Attorney General of New York, Andrew Cuomo, could intervene because frankly he has the ability to slow it down for decades if he wants to.
I am surprised that Mayor Bloomberg said it was okay and I think that if he reconsiders it, he’ll decide its not.
There are a number of different steps that could be taken. There’s no reason this has to occur and whether it’s city, state, or federal there are plenty of ways for America to stop it.
Elsewhere, Barton gushes over Gingrich’s amazing genius and notes that he has been utterly forgiven by the Religious Right for his previous multiple marital failings:
And finally, Rick Green asked Gingrich if he was planning on running for president in 2012, to which Gingrich replied that if he does decide to do so, Barton and Wallbuilders will be asked to play a key role in the campaign:
Green: Mr. Speaker, my wife and I were really wanting to be able to vote for you for president two years ago. Are we going to get to do that in 2012?
Gingrich: All I can tell you is that sometime in February or March, Calista and I and our family will be making this decision. As you know, I’m a great admirer of your work and of all you’ve done to teach Americans about their history and the roots of American freedom. And I can assure you that if we do decide to run next year, we’re promptly going to call you and say “we need your help, and we need your advice, and we need your counsel.” It’s more than a voting matter. If we decide to run, David, we’re going to need you.
