Gingrich: Obama a 'food stamp president'

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RALEIGH, N.C., April 15 (UPI) -- Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich called President Barack Obama a "food stamp president" while campaigning ahead of North Carolina's primary.

The former U.S. House speaker spent Saturday stumping throughout North Carolina, which he says has the ability to give him the upset win over competitor Mitt Romney, just as it did in 1976 for President Ronald Reagan, the Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer reported Sunday.

"North Carolina changed history," Gingrich said. "You have a chance again to change history. You can help us send a signal that despite the best efforts of the Washington elite they don't get to pick the presidential nominee -- you do."

Gingrich trails Romney in delegates, 136 to 666.

Gingrich focused most of his efforts Saturday criticizing Obama, suggesting Americans can't afford four more years of unemployment, massive deficits and what he called an "anti-American energy policy" that raises gas prices, the newspaper said.

"We need a president who is a paycheck president not a food stamp president," Gingrich said at a rally in Greensboro.