Gingrich would invite Darwin to hypothetical dinner party

Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich would invite mostly scientists and entrepreneurs — including Charles Darwin, father of the theory of evolution — to a hypothetical dinner party in which he could select the guest list from historical figures, living or dead, he told the Bio channel.

"He was the most influential scientist in the modern world, and an extraordinary observer of nature," Gingrich said of the evolutionary scientist.

The topic of evolution has become a hot-button issue in the Republican field, after Rick Perry said that it was "a theory that is out there — and it's got some gaps in it."

Jon Huntsman tweeted, "To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy."

Gingrich's other hypothetical guests include inventor Thomas Edison and aeronautical pioneers the Wright brothers.

"Their persistence in pursuing their dream and discovering manned flight is an extraordinary saga that involved repeated failures, but their dogged determination and creativity overcame it," Gingrich said of the pair.

Only one politician — British Prime Minister Winston Churchill — made Gingrich's list.

"He was a Renaissance man whose stubbornness, courage and lifetime of preparation saved the democracies from tyranny," Gingrich said.

Rounding out the list was John Ford, an Academy Award-winning director of more than 140 films, including "The Grapes of Wrath" and "How Green Was My Valley."

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