[JDUB]

so now we're up to 20,000

[FlameNForest]

so now we're up to 20,000

Evangelistically speaking.


I don't think Jerry would've wanted it any other way.

[thepostman]

I have never been much of a fan of Newt...but that sounded like one heck of a speech he gave....

[ATrain]

I thought Gingrich was a little monotone and longwinded myself, but he did have a good message.

[Fumblerooskies]

My impression...
...Gingrich is setting himself up to be the candidate for the "religious right" in the next election. If so...he did a fine job in laying the groundwork with what I thought was a much more impressive address than McCain's last year.

[Libertine]

My impression...
...Gingrich...with what I thought was a much more impressive address than McCain's last year.

There's a reason for that.

[givemethemic]

I went to the Press Conference afterwards and I am very convinced that Newt is going to run and that he will announce it on Nov 6....He said that he would take the whole month of October to think about and make his decison the first week of Nov... Jerry.Jr doesn't speak alot in the public but when he does his words mean something, he is a great man and to him I owe alot!!!!

[TDDance234]

I would vote for Newt.

He did an excellent job while being the Speaker of the House.

[whmatthews]

I'd vote for him as well. I have two of his books I plan on reading sometime soon.

[Hold My Own]

Honestly, it really doesnt matter what Newt did say or would have said at least for me, I couldnt stop thinking about the power of Jonathan and JJ and the power of their words.

[Libertine]

Ironically, it seems that there's always so much going on with any graduation ceremony that the commencement speaker is often the least relevant aspect. I remember when Billy Graham spoke at my graduation in '97 and a reporter from WSET (Kim Whitehead, btw Knuckle) asked me after what I thought of his message to the graduates. I didn't have an answer b/c, honestly, I wasn't listening and to this day I have no idea what he said. All I remember is that the seminary students sitting behind me reeeeally enjoyed it. The day was such an event and a culmination that, at least for the graduates and families, the magnitude of the moment was much greater than what the speaker could bring to it.

I can only imagine that, this year was an even more obvious example of that. I like Newt and I listened to what he had to say but the magnitude of the moment is what I will remember most about Graduation 2007.

By the way, I also thought that Nathan Coolley spoke very well. I'm not normally a huge fan of students speaking at graduation ceremonies but he did a great job.

[HenryGale]

Is the gospel presented at graduation in some form? I am curious,, just thinking of all the unsaved parents/granparents/friends/relatives etc that are present. What a perfect opportunity.

[Libertine]

Is the gospel presented at graduation in some form? I am curious,, just thinking of all the unsaved parents/granparents/friends/relatives etc that are present. What a perfect opportunity.

I believe that Graham did ('cuz that's Graham's thing) and, typically, it is presented in some way at the baccalaureate service. However, graduation is about celebrating the students and their accomplishments, so I, for one, don't think that the commencement ceremony is really the venue for that. I do know of instances where unsaved family members have been so impacted by the whole proceeding that they subsequently did come to the Lord but, personally, I would rather not see an altar call at graduation.

[Sly Fox]

Here is the transcript to Newt's speech in case you missed it:

TRANSCRIPT: Newt Gingrich at Liberty University commencement

Newt Gingrich, possible Republican candidate for president, delivered the commencement address this past weekend at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University. As prepared for delivery, here is the transcript from Newt.org:

Liberty University Commencement Address
Gingrich Communications May 19 2007

Jerry Falwell, Jr., Jonathan Falwell, Dr. Godwin, Provost Rist, members of the Board, faculty, administrators, distinguished guests, and, most of all, the Graduating Class of 2007. As I look out upon you I am deeply grateful to Dr. Falwell for inviting me to come and bear witness to our need to rediscover God in America. It is in response to his call that I ask you to hear this witness.

We gather on a day like no other in the history of Liberty University. We gather to honor the Class of 2007. Congratulations, one and all! You have worked for years to arrive at this day, and you and your parents can take justifiable pride in all of your achievements. But as we celebrate, we are all mindful of the seat of honor that is empty this beautiful Spring morning.

Click Here for Full Story