Gingrich Campaign Press Release - Audio: Newt in Iowa Says Unemployment is a Social Issue, Budget Can Be Balanced Again

Newt is in Iowa today taking part in the Iowa Family Leader's presidential lecture series. Radio Iowa covers his speech in Pella.

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich says the nation's unemployment rate is a social issue and he points to his past record as speaker of the U.S. House as proof he could balance the federal budget in five years.

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"You can't have strong families if they can't earn a living," Gingrich said at the start of his speech.

Gingrich bemoaned the "passion for trivia" in politics and he touted his tenure as House Speaker as one in which Republicans worked to balance the federal budget.

"How can we have real conversations as a nation…and get beyond both demagoguery and trivialization?" Gingrich asked the crowd. "…I really believe somebody ought to stand up and say, ‘It's time to have an adult conversation that's not baloney.'"

During a question-and-answer period, Gingrich was asked about being in his third marriage. Gingrich talked about seeking reconciliation with God about the way he had conducted his private life, but then Gingrich turned the focus on his public life.

"You have to have somebody who has had an experience of doing some things that are real. The ‘Contract with America' worked. The fact is we did reform welfare. The fact is we did pass the first tax cut in 16 years. The fact is that we did balance the budget for four straight years," Gingrich said. "And the question I would ask you in looking at it is, given my total experience as a public figure, am I person you can say: "He does do what he believes in. He does stand by the country.'"

Read more here and listen to the audio of Newt's remarks here.