Gingrich urges moderation amid Quran-burning furor

[September 10, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says President Barack Obama should speak as bluntly to the Islamists planning a mosque near the Sept. 11 attack site as he has to the minister threatening to burn the Quran.

The Republican told ABC's "Good Morning America" he believes "it's wrong to burn the Quran and it's wrong to build the mosque at Ground Zero, and both should be stopped."

He said Americans want an even-handed approach to the controversy, but are ready to tell Obama: "Why don't you be just as blunt with the iman, and tell him, 'Don't do it.' " Obama demanded that the Rev. Terry Jones cancel his plan to carry out a Quran-burning protest.

Gingrich's name pops up in speculation about the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.

[Associated Press]

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