WEST CHESTER TWP. — With the promise of bringing the price of gasoline down to $2.50 per gallon, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wants America to be energy independent.

Gingrich and wife Callista spoke to about 200 supporters Saturday during a Cincinnati Tea Party rally at the Back Porch Saloon on Princeton-Glendale Road.

“The choice we make is going to be momentous,” said Cincinnati Tea Party President Mike Wilson. “We need a change in direction and Newt has a plan to get America back on track.”

An American energy policy, Gingrich said, could bring in a total of 2.3 million barrels of oil per day through approval of the Keystone Pipeline from Canada to Houston. This would result in the re-opening of the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana and Texas coastlines, and opening the designated areas in Alaska.

“We would generate over the next decade $16 (trillion) to $18 trillion in royalties,” Gingrich said. “If we were disciplined, you could put that into a debt repayment fund. It would be almost exactly the amount you would need if you balance the budget to pay off the entire national debt.”

Gingrich said he also supports biofuel and scientific research; technological advancements attributing to a drop in the price of natural gas; tax breaks for American manufacturers; and the repeal of the national healthcare reform act commonly referred to as Obamacare.

Addressing the Middle East, Gingrich said the entire region “actively rejects what we want to accomplish.” Despite our attempts, Gingrich said it is not possible to bring democracy to Afghanistan, have Pakistanis as allies, or have an Egypt that democratizes in an open, positive way.

“We don’t have the willpower and ruthlessness needed to change that region,” Gingrich said. “This is a deeply committed region of people who believe in a way of life radically alien to us.”

Hamilton residents Gary and Janice Grimm attended the Saturday’s rally and plan to cast their votes in Tuesday’s primary for Gingrich.

“His intelligence with the issues and experience; he’s not run by big money like Romney,” Janice Grimm said.

Gary Grimm said throughout the Republican primary debates, Gingrich has been the only candidate to maintain logical, sensible answers to problems such as gasoline prices, energy, job creation and immigration.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or Hannah.Poturalski@coxinc.com.