WHEELING -- Newt Gingrich spoke about 45 minutes, on a variety of topics at Capitol Theatre Friday.

The event was free to the public, and it drew people from all ages and walks of life.

Gingrich is a writer and historian as well as a politician.

He spoke of the book he wrote with his daughter, "The Five Principles Of A Successful Life."

He listed the five principles as: dream big, work hard, learn every day, do things you enjoy and be true to yourself.

He spoke about the pursuit of happiness, which he says is a right, not a guarantee.

"America's not about an easy, safe, comfortable government-delivered world," said Gingrich. "America's about your right to dream. To dream about the valley, to dream about the panhandle, to dream about Wheeling, to dream about your own future, to dream about your children's future. And that dream then requires that you go out and take real risks and live it out. And if you do it, it's amazing what we're capable of achieving as a country."

Gingrich said Wheeling has two universities and is just close enough to the Pittsburgh International Airport to have a truly great future.

Speaking of the future, one audience member asked Gingrich if he would consider a presidential run.

He said he and his wife will have to sit down and have a discussion about that, and it will depend on what is happening in 2011.