Gingrich Falls Asleep at AIPAC, Wakes Up More Than a Little Confused

Moments before he was slated to speak via live video stream before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), GOP presidential contender Newt Gingrich was caught on camera sleeping rather soundly.

After he awoke, however, things became even more bizarre as it seemed the former House Speaker was either thinking about the secretary of defense or was talking about him with someone not seen. You can hear Gingrich say: “Listening to Panetta is not a relaxing experience.” He then slipped back into his stupor.

Upon his second awakening, Gingrich was introduced for his speech, where he then "welcomed questions from the panel." The problem was -- there was no panel.

“I understand you have a panel. I look forward to any questions,” he began.

An awkward 12 seconds of silence followed and Gingrich stared blankly into the camera.

This must have been much too much for the AIPAC introducer to bear as he cut the pregnant pause by saying, “Mr. Speaker, there is not a panel.” “Please do continue, sir,” he urged.

Gingrich then sprung halfway back to his usual form:

“Let me just say – I say this pretty briefly, I think,” Gingrich riffed. “We need a fundamental reassessment of our entire understanding of the threat of radical Islam.”

Watch the odd and, awkward clip below via ABC: