Newt has said, in a May, 1997 interview on CNN, that "if you sell drugs, we're going to kill you".
In 1991, Newt had a different opinion. He co-sponsored H.R. 4498 which allowed medical use of marijuana. That bill was eventually co-sponsored by a bipartisan coalition of more than 75 members of Congress. (It obviously did not pass.)
Now, Newt seems to want to get into a pissing contest with the President over drug policy. Within an hour after Clinton's Februrary 14th announcement of his new drug strategy, Newt was calling for the plan's withdrawal and announcing his plans to introduce a "tougher" and more comprehensive GOP legislative initiative on the Drug War.
Newt compares the drug war with World War II, saying that:
"Once America got involved, it took our country just four years to win the Second World War -- the greatest military effort the world has ever seen. In the Civil War, it took just four years to save the Union and abolish slavery". ..."But this President would have us believe that with all the resources, ingenuity, dedication, and passion of the American people, we can't even get halfway to victory in the War on Drugs until the year 2007 - nine full years from now. That is not a success. That is the definition of failure."He also said that Republicans around the country, specifically mentioning New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani, had "laid the groundwork to launch a World War II-style victory campaign against illegal drugs." He added that "we in congress will pass legislation to implement the largest, most dynamic, most comprehensive anti-drug strategy ever designed."
Contact Newt and tell him what you think of his drug policies:
Representative Newt Gingrich
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2428
Washington, DC 20515
Email Newt