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Gingrich: Pelosi 'Disqualified Herself' From Being Speaker

May 20, 2009 7:13 AM

KleinABC News’ Rick Klein reports: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich today flatly declared that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should be replaced in the wake of her allegation that the CIA lied to her about harsh interrogation techniques.

“She really disqualified herself to be speaker,” Gingrich, R-Ga., told Diane Sawyer on ABC’s “Good Morning America. “I think the Democrats should get a new speaker.”

Pelosi’s allegation “basically smears” the U.S. intelligence community, Gingrich said, leaving her “disqualified” to be behind only the vice president in the presidential succession order. Leaving her in place, he said, is “very dangerous” for the country.

Pelosi’s office called Gingrich’s suggestion “ludicrous,” and noted that no Democrats are calling for Pelosi to be ousted.

The comments build on an argument Gingrich lays out in his weekly newsletter, sent to supporters Wednesday morning.

“The case against Nancy Pelosi remaining Speaker of the House is as simple as it is devastating: The person who is No. 2 in line to be commander in chief can't have contempt for the men and women who protect our nation. America can't afford it,” Gingrich writes. “Speaker Pelosi has damaged America's safety. . . . America is losing ground because of Nancy Pelosi's contempt for those who defend her. Democrats owe it to their country and our national security to replace Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House.”

For more on this topic, watch ABCNews.com's "Top Line," live at noon ET. Today's guest: Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, who has offered sharp criticisms of Pelosi's continued leadership. Watch HERE live at noon.

May 20, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (315)

User Comments

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But George Tenet is "worthy?" Hehe. Newt needs to get him a job! He left in shame from government office. He's still stucked! Angry. George Tenet DID lie to the American people, and pleeeeze, does he really think the CIA told the Democrats or "anybody" that they was backing the BUSH administration to Torture our Captives! Newt Gingrich, you can go back in your "hole" now, and practices what you preach. Nancy told the truth. They Didn't brief her about their plans to Torture.

Posted by: tychisum | May 20, 2009 7:37:29 AM

I'm no fan of Pelosi, but Gingrich lecturing anyone on honesty and ingegrity is laughable. He was leading the charge for Clinton's impeachment for the Lewinsky affair while he was cheating on his wife. The Repubs should neuter Newt. He has no credibility and doesn't help their cause.

Posted by: T | May 20, 2009 7:37:30 AM

Newt's just mad he got caught with poor ethics and had to resign the speaker position so he wants to see Pelosi do it as well. His time is past.

Posted by: Lawyer | May 20, 2009 7:39:32 AM

Can anybody image that Pelosi is anywhere in line to be President? She is a lying pandering politician who is so partisan, she would lie about her involvement in approval of EITs and blame the CIA. She needs to be removed as speaker immediately as she doesn't have enough personal integrity to have that position.

Posted by: brian | May 20, 2009 7:39:38 AM

The previous administration had contempt to spare for the CIA professionals whose analyses it twisted to suit its foregone conclusions, and endangered them (with Mr.Cheneys right-hand man taking the fall for him and going to jail in the Valerie Plame scandal). Mr. Gingrich was possibly the most hypocritical (e.g., his multiple affairs while hounding Clinton over Lewinsky - this distraction tangibly weakened our national security), partisan and dishonest (e.g., 22 bounced checks) speaker in history. Why then listen to him?

Posted by: libertyjustice33 | May 20, 2009 7:41:09 AM

'm no fan of Pelosi, but Gingrich lecturing anyone on honesty and ingegrity is laughable. He was leading the charge for Clinton's impeachment for the Lewinsky affair while he was cheating on his wife. The Repubs should neuter Newt. He has no credibility and doesn't help their cause.
***********************************************
Totally agree, A pot calls a kettle black! Boy
the GOP is really gasping for air these days.
LOL

Posted by: spacerook1 | May 20, 2009 7:57:03 AM

Pelosi disqualified herself when she declared illegal aliens the “true patriots” and proposed giving all of them amnesty and citizenship and allowing each of them to bring in 10 relatives. (A little over a year ago) Thank God most House Democrats and Republicans alike showed no support for the idea.
Plain and simple, the lady is dangerous. She has no idea what she is doing beyond worshiping Obama and opposing anything any Republican proposes.

Posted by: Oonogil | May 20, 2009 8:00:19 AM

I get a laugh out of Democrats who, instead of trying to defend Pelosi -- an impossible task -- they prefer to attack Bush. bush is no longer president -- a line used by Dems whenever bubba was attacked after he left office -- so let's hear why a brainless half wit like Lala Pelosi should be kept on.

Posted by: Walter | May 20, 2009 8:03:54 AM

Line me up with Machod. Pelosi should step down and eventually will. If not for this fiasco it will be for something equally flamable. Come on folks this is a stupid person. I would have liked to have been in the room when she met with Assad a couple of years back, the Syrians were probably thinking "Holy Allah", "is this woman actually in a position of responsibility in the U.S. Government"?

Posted by: Dave | May 20, 2009 8:05:50 AM

So let me get this straight. If Pelosi didn't defend herself, you'd be calling for her to step down. She did defend herself and your calling for her to step down.

brian, why I don't like Pelosi, I wonder why you are all so ready to go after her and not Bush & Cheney who thought of, carried out and lied about torture! She may have known, but they are ones who made it happen.

Posted by: try the truth | May 20, 2009 8:07:21 AM

Many of you are correct. Bush is no longer the President. Sooo since he authorized the torture, he should be brought up on war crimes! You call it deflecting, huh? Bush and Cheney BROKE THE LAW! Both the US law and International law! Bush LIED to the nation, "We do not torture!", remember that? But all your interested in is if Nancy knew!

Posted by: try the truth | May 20, 2009 8:12:04 AM

It is really comical that all the libs on here can do is argue about Gingrich's qualifications??? I hate to breake it to you but it is Pelosi's reputation and qualifications that are in question here.

Posted by: billy bob | May 20, 2009 8:12:51 AM

Why does everyone assume that Pelosi is being untruthful? Has the CIA ever told the truth about anything? CIA operatives are paid to lie, that is what a spy does. The CIA certainly lied about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Most of the good information we have had about terrorists probably comes from other organizations - like the FBI.

Posted by: Tony Justin | May 20, 2009 8:15:13 AM

When did the Bush Administration lie about torture?

Clinton lied to the American people about his affair, big difference.

Liberals are funny.

Posted by: Mofo | May 20, 2009 8:15:24 AM

Many of you are correct. Bush is no longer the President. Sooo since he authorized the torture, he should be brought up on war crimes! You call it deflecting, huh? Bush and Cheney BROKE THE LAW! Both the US law and International law! Bush LIED to the nation, "We do not torture!", remember that? But all your interested in is if Nancy knew!

Posted by: try the truth | May 20, 2009 8:12:04 AM

--- Show us the laws that were broken. Dont you wonder why bush has not been tried and convicted if what you are saying is correct??? Could it be you are WRONG????

Posted by: billy bob | May 20, 2009 8:15:30 AM

Machod, Bush did mess this country up with 8
years of his cowboy rule.+++++++You have no
debate on this one
*********************************************
Machod:But the fact remains, even the POTUS' own
liberal party is giving him fits,-----------That's
why it's a democracy, get it, Democrat=Democracy
as opposed to Republican=Republican Guards.
*********************************************
Machod:and at this rate, it will only take Obama 4
years to screw up what Bush did in 8! -------It's
easier now that Bush wrote the book on it. I hope
they close that book soon!
*********************************************
Machod: Let the whining begin!--------Actually
it should be paraphrased "Let the wining begin,
since the GOP are hold the sour grapes.

Posted by: spacerook1 | May 20, 2009 8:15:33 AM

Gingrich and Pelosi are of the same ilk. They have both used their position as Speaker to promote partisan politics of the worse kind. For Gingrich to criticize Pelosi really takes unmitigated gall. It is really dreadful to think that Gingrich was, and Pelosi is, in line for the Presidency after the Vice President.

Posted by: BachisBest | May 20, 2009 8:15:45 AM

One can talk about Newts problems all day long, but the fact is the guy is sharp, very smart. I believe he has learned from his mistakes, and I would love to see him run for President. As for Pelosi, her mouth is too big. I recall when she lambasted Bush in January on national TV, blaming him for the whole mess on the economy, when in fact it was Barney Frank, and Chris Dodd who missed the boat. She needs to take a slow boat to China.

Posted by: Steve | May 20, 2009 8:16:29 AM

Gingrich is just the lastest lame GOP voice to try to bring division and devisivness into the mix. A childs game to take out a competitor so they can slip one of their own into the position. Getting tired of the GOP ranting and raving and attacking while holding no cards.

Posted by: waysie | May 20, 2009 8:17:12 AM

Nancy Pelosi along with Harry Reid are an embarrasment to the country. Both need to be ousted next voting cycle.

Posted by: Steve | May 20, 2009 8:24:29 AM

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