Gingrich to speak at AIPAC on March 5

File: Newt Gingrich at a Townhall in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Washington, Feb. 22 – Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich will address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) during its annual policy conference.

The former Speaker of the House is scheduled to speak during the morning session on Monday, March 5, a day after President Obama is scheduled to address AIPAC.

The AIPAC conference will be taking place in Washington, D.C., March 4-6, an important time during the primary season. Super Tuesday, when 10 states go to the polls,  will be taking place on March 6.

The JTA reports Gingrich’s participation represents a new policy for AIPAC:

The last time a challenger faced an incumbent, when Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) was running against President George W. Bush in 2004, AIPAC said its policy was not to allow challengers to speak. But the AIPAC board has ended the policy, a source close to the lobby told JTA, in part because Kerry and his supporters among AIPAC donors were furious at the snub.

AIPAC spokesman Patrick Dorton confirmed the policy change.

“In 2004, just after the election, the AIPAC Board of Directors adopted a policy to invite all the leading presidential candidates in future elections to speak at the Policy Conference,” he said.

Gingrich is the first Republican presidential hopeful to confirm participation.