Newt Gingrich: Iran Nuclear Program Possibility 'Is A Real Danger'

CLEVELAND — Newt Gingrich kept a stiff upper lip Wednesday after his poor showing in GOP presidential caucuses the night before, but issued dire warnings about Iran's potential nuclear capabilities.

In his only scheduled public appearance for the next two days, the former House speaker made no mention of his poor showing in Colorado and Minnesota. But he told a small crowd of manufacturing workers that the United States could pay a terrible price if Iran develops nuclear weapons.

"You think about the dangers, to Cleveland, or to Columbus, or to Cincinnati, or to New York," Gingrich told employees of the Jergens metal manufacturing plant. "Remember what it felt like on 9/11 when 3,100 Americans were killed. Now imagine an attack where you add two zeros. And it's 300,000 dead. Maybe a half million wounded. This is a real danger. This is not science fiction. That's why I think it's important that we have the strongest possible national security."

Gingrich has made similar remarks before, but not always in such foreboding detail.

Military experts say Iran has no way to deliver a bomb of such devastating power to the United States, even if the government could produce such a weapon. Iran lacks long-range bombers and missiles that would be needed.

A smaller, so-called "dirty bomb," capable of spreading radiation, is the most likely short-term threat if Iran did actually produce a nuclear device. It's conceivable that such a bomb could be smuggled into the United States.

Gingrich sounded much more chipper and positive in his other remarks. He did not mention GOP rivals Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum in his unusually short 12 minutes at the microphone and made only a passing reference to President Barack Obama.

Gingrich restated his goal of giving workers the option of having private Social Security savings accounts.

Gingrich was scheduled to return to Washington on Wednesday. He had no publicly scheduled events Thursday.

Comments

[Make love not war]

12:28 PM on 02/10/2012

It's interesting how Gingrich with his proud military heritage sat out the Vietnam War and instead focused on getting a PhD at Tulane University in the late 60s and early 70s. Sitting out the Vietnam War isn't a bad thing per se, but if you are going to be a hawk later in life, try at least to have done something like John McCain so you can put you money where your mouth is. Joe Lieberman's of this world, take note.

[Philly369]

05:42 PM on 02/09/2012

It is true Iran has no delivery system, planes or missiles that could be a nuclear threat but should they develope nuclear weapons, it is possible a terrorist organization could benefit. They would deny before the world they had anything to do with it, that it could have come from Pakistani rebels or one of the countries that broke away from the Soviet Union . There are those unaccounted for and some poor securities. A devise could probably be put in a moving van, a foot locker. They are capable of using it. They are supplying most of the weapons and IED's used against our military. For Syria and Egypt's military too probably.

[Allison Knight-Khan]

10:02 PM on 02/09/2012

What if... What if... What if...Does that sound like a plan to you?

[Philly369]

12:17 AM on 02/10/2012

Allison Hnight-Khan Sure does! What if all the intelligence and signs that were there were taken serious prior to December the seventh, 1941 !!! What if? Would over 2000 have died and our Pacfic fleet destroyed, except for Air Craft Cariers and a couple of battle ships that helped won it for us later? What if you thought about 'what if' first!

[aristippe]

04:29 AM on 02/10/2012

you've watched too much 24

[Philly369]

11:40 AM on 02/10/2012

aristippe You are naive 24-7!

[xxixpines]

04:54 PM on 02/09/2012

Its only common sense.
If the United States continues its policy of Poking Iran in the eye we do indeed have something to worry about.

[defelicep]

07:44 PM on 02/09/2012

Very true!

[beemerboxer]

04:46 PM on 02/09/2012

It can be assumed that every American knows the dangers of a fanatical Islamic nation joining the Nuclear Club; Gingrich wasted his time trying to exploit that fear. The bigger danger comes in the form of dirty bombs produced and filtered to radical Islamic terror groups who would have no hesitation in attacking "the Great Satan" with one. Iran does not have the means to deliver a full nuclear bomb to the USA but it can probably use one against Israel and other neighbors who it deems hostile. This business can be put on hold but not ignored. More frightening is Gingrich's blather about giving workers the opportunity to have "private" social security savings accounts. After the Bush Republican handling of America's finances and its inability to control the excesses of Wall St., how could anyone wish to commit their fiscal future to the whims of the Market? Another idea to benefit the banks and Wall St. at the expense of workers pensions.;

[mingorajohns]

03:35 PM on 02/09/2012

Her comment was a gaffe, she meant Paula's dog.

[weathwoods]

03:14 PM on 02/09/2012

I've noticed that as Newt gets older and fatter, he looks more and more like either Ted kenney or Captain Kangaroo, and as John McCain ages, he resembles the older Charlie Chaplin. I don't infer anything from that. It's just an observation.

[renner1234]

02:57 PM on 02/09/2012

2-9-12 Newt: You may not like Newt, you may want to make fun of him but he is right.

It's not America who said they will destroy Israel.

Its not America who plays the religious card and tries to convince people that they have the right to destroy Israel.

It’s Iran who is supporting terrorist, its Iran who is shipping Arms to Afghanistan.

Iran threatens the world with blocking the straits.

It’s Iran who threats oil flow stoppage through the straits.

It's Iran who is sending bombs to kill US troops.

Experts say Iran can not deliver the bomb to the US. Ever heard of a cargo ship. Who needs long range missiles? A truck acrossing the southern board. Easy Obama does not want to defend our borders.

History is full of warning not heeded:

Remember Hitler, the world said he is no threat, Chamber land had a peace deal and how many people died in WW2. Hitler threatened the world and built his army and the world did nothing.

I sort of remember Bin Laden's actions against the US, bombing of the UN, bombings in Africa and bombing of the US Ship; he also declared war on the US. Clinton ignored the threats, did nothing, than 9-11 happened.

Japan threatened the US and we did nothing.

When people and countries threaten, you need to take the threats seriously.

Those who choose to ignore history will repeat history.

But in this case do not ignore Iran.

[kahsay2]

02:56 PM on 02/09/2012

This message is only for republicans who live on FEAR of the "Other" - Gingrich knows that and that's why he keeps pumping that sort of propaganda non stop.

No one likes Ahmadinejad, including his own people. But it is also true that he is not crazy enough to dare throw a bomb on a country thousand miles away and which is thousand times more powerful. He is surrounded by numberless American naval and military bases all over the middle-east and Europe, watching his every move. Add to that, Israel's far more sophisticated espionage deep into his own territory, I say his military is mere show off for self amusement!

[cmitzinc]

02:12 PM on 02/09/2012

Well, maybe he could just bomb Iran from his moon colony. This man is an idiot.

[jlglaze]

02:29 PM on 02/09/2012

He couldn't be any worse than this man.
I bought and read Obama's book,Audacity of Hope. It was difficult to read considering his attitude toward you and everything American. Let me add a phrase he uses to describe his attitude toward whites. He harbors a "COIL OF RAGE". His words not mine.

[cmitzinc]

02:35 PM on 02/09/2012

jlglaze - it was only difficult for you to read because you're a republican. Republicans don't like educated people, so maybe it's just you.

[cmitzinc]

03:24 PM on 02/09/2012

jlglaze, you seem to forget that Obama's half white. He can't hate them to much.

[flossophy]

03:46 PM on 02/09/2012

Well, two of Iran's closest allies will make it to the moon first if Obama is reelected. 

China already has plans underway for a permanent moon base. 

And Russia will be back on the moon by 2020. 

Meanwhile, you're d!sparaging the one candidate who has a clearheaded understanding of the challenges western civilization faces in the years ahead.

[cmitzinc]

11:15 PM on 02/09/2012

I disagree. Newt is a pinhead and has absolutely no chance of winning.

[cmitzinc]

11:41 PM on 02/09/2012

flossophy, you forgot to mention in your moon race several other countries. Japan 1993, ESA 2006, India 2008, China 2009. All of these were crash landings, so if you count crash landings as a permanent moon base, then the newtster will have some serious problems.

[cwitherspo]

01:55 PM on 02/09/2012

Newt is who and what he is and it can only get worse , but his comment is typical of all Republicans mode of operation : Fear ! Historically , follow back a few years to the George W .years and note how they sustained a great military industrial complex ($$$) by using fear as an reason to do so . Of course Iraq's oil was the reason WMD came into the blather ( had nothing to do with 9/11 ) and then the Afghanitstan builld-up followed that . Super deficit , no control of Pakistan's nuclears , but a lot of money on special civilian military forces and activities ($) and more of Cheney's Halaburton profits . Your peanuts Newt .We never learn , but we pay !!!

[cjjoinernj21]

04:04 PM on 02/09/2012

Since you are so smart and stated Iraq's oil was the reason, please do tell how much oil the US gets from Iraq.

[xbyfan]

01:35 PM on 02/09/2012

Newt is trying to be more like Reagan Conservative - this is the result of that effort !!!

[mingorajohns]

03:20 PM on 02/09/2012

Newt is trying to be more like Napoleon and defeat will be the result of his effort.

[weathwoods]

03:23 PM on 02/09/2012

Reagan a conservative? In whose dreams? He granted amnesty to 3 million illegal aliens, bankrupted half the small farmers in the midwest, and started the deregulation process that has ruined free competition in the media. About the only thing I give him real credit for was his sincere effort to achieve nuclear disarmament between the Russians and us, something which the neocons, who love to invoke his name, have abandoned.

[xbyfan]

01:32 PM on 02/09/2012

The finger pointing of Newt looks the same as that of the Arizona thrash at President !!! ALL republican have the same style !! I guess that why they are called that way ..right???

[jlglaze]

02:30 PM on 02/09/2012

And you are perfect? I think not.

[cmitzinc]

02:38 PM on 02/09/2012

jlplaze, your bio says a lot about what you are.

[jufrgs]

01:12 PM on 02/09/2012

The only dirty bomb I am worried about is former speaker of the house Newt Gingrich, or Mitt Romney possible being elected the United State President.

[jlglaze]

02:30 PM on 02/09/2012

Can't be any dirtier than the one you have now.

[Farmerswife2]

01:11 PM on 02/09/2012

Is that John Hagee? Has him and Gingrich became big buddies? Money sure can talk.

[jlglaze]

02:31 PM on 02/09/2012

Shame you don't have any. Maybe you could help buy four more years of misery.

[cmitzinc]

02:41 PM on 02/09/2012

Farmerswife2 - That is John Hagee, he's just keeping an eye on his investment. It's turning out to be a very bad investment. Well, maybe he can finance the newtsters moon colony instead.

[Farmerswife2]

01:09 PM on 02/09/2012

Newt has nothing to worry about. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will support him while thousands of American families are losing their homes to survive the best they can. That's the real danger, people perishing in the USA from starvation and poverty. History repeats itself. He sure favors Hoover. I believe that could be his great great grandson for all we know.

[jlglaze]

02:32 PM on 02/09/2012

You blame is so misplaced. Your precious Barney Frank and Harry Reid had their fingers in that bowl a long time before Newt.

[cmitzinc]

02:47 PM on 02/09/2012

jlglaze - just why was it again that the newtster was removed as Speaker of the House? Oh, I remember now, it was ethics violations!