Newt Gingrich’s appearance on “Meet the Press” today could leave some wondering which party’s nomination he is running for. The former speaker had some harsh words for Paul Ryan’s (and by extension, nearly every House Republican’s) plan to reform Medicare, calling it “radical.”
“I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering,” he said when asked about Ryan’s plan to transition to a “premium support” model for Medicare. “I don’t think imposing radical change from the right or the left is a very good way for a free society to operate.”
As far as an alternative, Gingrich trotted out the same appeal employed by Obama/Reid/Pelosi — for a “national conversation” on how to “improve” Medicare, and promised to eliminate ‘waste, fraud and abuse,’ etc.
“I think what you want to have is a system where people voluntarily migrate to better outcomes, better solutions, better options,” Gingrich said. Ryan’s plan was simply “too big a jump.”
He even went so far as to compare it the Obama health-care plan.”I’m against Obamacare, which is imposing radical change, and I would be against a conservative imposing radical change.”
In another surprising move, Gingrich also reiterated his previous support for a “variation of the individual mandate” for health care. “I believe all of us — and this is going to be a big debate — I believe all of us have a responsibility to help pay for health care,” he said, insisting there is “a way to do it that make most libertarians relatively happy.”
“It’s a system that allows people to have a range of choices that are designed by the economy,” he said. “I don’t think having a free rider system in [health care] is any more appropriate than having a free rider system in any other part of the economy.”
Sad, not that I would have voted for him - but I at least respected him as being as least intellectually honest. Kind of reminds me of the last paragraph in Animal Farm:
"Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man
again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
I wonder when the GOP is actually going to find a candidate for President that actually is a limited government, individual liberty kind of conservative -
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWas Newt sitting on a bench with Nancy Pelosi when he made these comments? Newt should just take every opportunity to shut up.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAs a writer, a commentator or even an idea man I like Newt. I never, ever wanted him to run for president nor any elected office again really. He is just not consistent and stable enough. I didn't trust him. Now my suspicions are really confirmed that he would be a disaster as President. Do not vote for Newt.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBye Newt, thanks for playing.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo what's his plan to reform entitlements? I have no respect for anyone in office or running for office who does not offer a plan to address our fiscal problems. I may not agree with everything in Paul Ryan's plan but at least he put cards on the table.
I already had enough issues with Newt, his position on climate change, support for ethanol, I don't trust him.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat a dinosaur. The ultimate Washington insider. If this guy runs for president, will he have any Republican support? This isn't 1995.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAnd before it even began, thus did Newt Gingrich end his campaign for the Republican nomination for president.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe only person that seems to support Newt for president is Newt and Sean Hannity.
I think Hannity supported Guiliani last time.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDoes he mean the free rider system you get when you amnesty millions of illegal aliens onto the roles of Medicare and Social Security benefits? Yeah, Reagan did it, was supposed to be a one time thing, here we are looking at it again from Obama.
Reagan - 3 million
Obama - 11 million (possibly double that)
They have not paid into the system, yet they would instantly qualify for benefits. I have paid in my entire life, but with 20+ years to go until I can collect, it will be bone dry.
Hey Newt... I think we need a dramatic change in health care and Social Security. If you don't change it dramatically, just eliminate it, because I am sick of paying money to support others my entire life, knowing full well there won't be anyone there to support me! The Greatest Generation rode the full ride of Happy Days are Here Again! Baby Boomers rode it all of their productive years, those that were responsible will be just fine, those that are still in party mode, not so much. Generation X and beyond, you are on your own, they left nothing but IOU's and debt as far as the eye can see for us to deal with. They spent their contributions, our contributions, and even went so far as letting non-Americans spend it just the same. Yippie, I love looking forward to retirement in 25 years. I wonder if we will devolve back to cave dwelling by then?
Nothing to drastic Mr. Newt, man of ideas, keep towing the line, nothing to see here.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFor the love of Pete, Newt get the heck OUT!
His candidacy is a service only to his stupid ego.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt Gingrich is running as the Peter Principle GOP candidate.
Unfortunately for us, he isn't the only one.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSounds like "Newt" should be running in the democrat primary. He's neatly aping their demagogic politics, of course with out advocating an alternative solution.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThank you, Newt, for sharing your healthcare views. Now the public will be fully aware of what a typical RiNO, go-along-to-get-along relic you really are. A truly patriotic gesture. America thanks you.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThank God Newt is not a viable candidate.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAh, the old 'eliminate fraud and abuse' gambit. Of course, we'll leave in place a system that provides no incentive whatever to reduce either.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThank you, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald. Can we now hear from Stanley Baldwin. And don't take too long, Mr. Chamberlain grows impatient. What's that you say? There is no Churchill waiting in the wings? So sad.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHasn't Newt supported the elimination of the EPA, NEA, and other government bodies at some point? It would seem that's more "radical" than Ryan's plan.
He was also out there supporting alarmist climate change legislation, a radical solution to a nonexistent problem.
I like how Gingrich defends his adultery as he was fighting so hard for America. What an arrogant old fool.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt doesn't want to win. As a piece of theater, his elevator-music, automatronic youtube announcement was the political equivalent of "Gigli." Now he goes on a Sunday show at the first opportunity and says things that seem specifically contrived to alienate the small percentage of Republicans that might be taking his bid seriously. I think he's running to make his wife happy and to launch her political career. For months, he's been inserting the phrase, "Callista and I" in contexts where it was jarringly inappropriate, such as setting forth positions on serious policy issues. Everything I know of Newt suggests that his political instincts are far too good to release that video and say these things about Ryan's plan unless he is taking a deliberate dive. Not that he would have had any shot even if he were serious, because as another poster observed, it is not 1995.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWow. And I detested Trump. Hope Newt lasts a shorter time and we can get past the loonies.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGingrich licks finger, sticks into current political breeze and defines his strongly held convictions for the day...
After his support for global warming alarmism and now this, Newt will not get my vote.
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