WASHINGTON — Former Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich let out a laugh when asked to respond to the roaring applause at a conservative gathering after it was suggested that he be appointed Secretary of State in a Republican administration.
“It was a friendly audience,” Gingrich told The Daily Caller with a smile.
Before Gingrich addressed the Faith and Freedom Conference in Washington, D.C., on Friday, he was introduced by a man who made the case for Gingrich serving as the country’s top diplomat.
“I can not imagine a better American traveling the world,” said Tom Scott, the chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition of Georgia.
“He is an international expert on world history,” Scott said. “He is the international expert on military issues and international affairs and something most people don’t know about him, is that Newt is the longest serving teacher on the Joint War Fighting course for Major Generals.”
“I’m personally hoping that when Mitt Romney is sworn in as president of the United States — and Newt might not want the job, I haven’t asked him — but I hope that he’s going to be offered Secretary of State,” Scott said to loud applause.
After his address, Gingrich made it clear he didn’t care to interact with the press now that he’s no longer in the presidential race.
“How come you’re not inside covering Glenn Beck?” he asked a group of reporters who approached him and his wife, Callista.
The duo retreated to a table where, alongside a man dressed as an elephant, they signed books.