Gingrich Challenges Clinton To Debate About Crime

House Speaker Newt Gingrich challenged President Clinton on Friday to a debate on crime, calling the administration’s recent proclamations of being tough on criminals “nuts.”

Gingrich, speaking at a dinner at the Young Republicans National Federation’s biennial convention, attacked Clinton’s positions on assault weapons and so-called “cop-killer” bullets, and berated TV ads touting Clinton as a crime-fighter.

“The idea of taking this administration, with their pathetic record fighting crime and their even worse record of fighting drugs, and deciding they want to come and play and debate about who is prepared to lock up the criminals and execute the murderers, clean up the streets and stop the drug dealers - This is nuts,” Gingrich said.

Gingrich assailed Democrats who want to ban cop-killer bullets, saying criminals always will be able to kill police officers.