Gingrich and Granholm debate on CNN

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich & former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm debate political merits of Obama’s address during CNN’s State of the Union coverage.

NEWT GINGRICH (R), FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: First of all, all presidents speak to the country.  No president would ever go into a state of the union to talk to the Congress. Because you’re trying to move the country, then through the country — get the country to move the Congress. Second, I agree with David Gergen.  This president has a very clear strategy.  He intends to demonize the Republicans and to mobilize his base, and he intends to gamble that in 2014, he can win the House, keep the Senate and have two years, the last two years of his administration fundamentally changing the country.  I mean, it’s a rational gamble on his part.

GRANHOLM: We’re done with this. I want you to outline the words where he’s demonizing the Republicans.  He may be demonizing people who will be obstructionists, and that might be some of those Republicans –  but if you’re an obstructionist, that means you’re not willing to forge a compromise.

GINGRICH: Or it means that you don’t want to do anything that’s stupid.  I mean, it’s okay to obstruct stupid things.

….

GINGRICH: I think spending is actually secondary to the economy in terms of the American people’s concern.

GRANHOLM: Yes!  I’m so happy to hear you say that.

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