Gingrich Calls Pelosi 'Despicable,' 'Dishonest' and 'Vicious'

May 15th, 2009 5:37 PM

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on Friday accused current Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal.) of lying about what she was told concerning the enhanced interrogation techniques used on terrorist detainees after 9/11.

In an interview with ABC News radio, Gingrich said, "I think this is the most despicable, dishonest and vicious political effort I've seen in my lifetime."

Given the sharpness of the criticisms contained in this extraordinary six minute exchange with Marcus Wilson, it will be very interesting to see how much attention Pelosi-loving media give it in the next 24 hours (YouTube audio embedded below the fold with transcribed highlights, h/t Hot Air):

  • I think she has lied to the House, and I think that the House has an absolute obligation to open an inquiry, and I hope there will be a resolution to investigate her. And I think this is a big deal.  I don't think the Speaker of the House can lie to the country on national security matters.
  • I think this is the most despicable, dishonest and vicious political effort I've seen in my lifetime.
  • She is a trivial politician, viciously using partisanship for the narrowist of purposes, and she dishonors the Congress by her behavior.
  • Speaker Pelosi's the big loser, because she either comes across as incompetent, or dishonest.  Those are the only two defenses.
  • The fact is she either didn't do her job, or she did do her job and she's now afraid to tell the truth.
  • This is really, really dangerous, and it is going to get a lot of people killed, if we don’t call a halt to it.