HEATED EXCHANGE: Newt Gingrich and Juan Williams Square Off Over Food Stamp Comments and Whether They Are Insulting to African-Americans
Juan Williams questioned Newt Gingrich about his recent comments that black Americans should “demand jobs, not food stamps,” and that Obama is a “Food Stamp President.” When asked if he could see why these comments might be insulting to African-Americans, Gingrich said flatly, “No, I don’t see that.”
He then went onto propose a janitorial program that would allow students to do light janitorial work while continuing their studies, paying them and teaching them the value of work. He said that they would be earning money, “which is a good thing if you’re poor. Only the elites despise earning money.”
Williams then pressed, suggesting that Gingrich’s comments, including references to President Obama as a "Food Stamp President," were intended to belittle the poor and racial minorities.
Gingrich responded, “The fact is more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history.”
He proclaimed, “I believe every American of every background has been endowed by their Creator with the right to pursue happiness, and if that makes liberals unhappy, I’m going to continue to find ways to help poor people learn how to get a job, learn how to get a better job, and learn someday to own the job.”
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