CAMPAIGN 2012

Protesters Confront Gingrich

Updated: December 21, 2011 | 4:48 p.m.
December 21, 2011 | 4:26 p.m.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Newt Gingrich, who has drawn protesters at multiple campaign events, was heckled again on Wednesday. Several members of the Occupy Wall Street movement interrupted his news conference with Iowa state officials, chanting, "Put people first!"

One protester pointedly asked Gingrich, “Wouldn’t it be great if we followed FDR and Woodrow Wilson, who you said you were fans of, Mr. Speaker?"

"I was quoting Ronald Reagan," Gingrich responded.

As a security guard ushered the protesters out of the room, one couldn't resist a parting shot: "I’d love to talk to you. Mr. Gingrich, you really do need to start putting the people first. You really do. I know there’s these people in between you and me but I’d really like to engage in a conversation here, sir."

Gingrich professed to be unruffled by the interruption, even seeking to turn it into an advantage. "I think of all the candidates we have, I have a fairly long record of being willing to talk to a very wide range of people," he said.

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