Published: May 18, 2011

Newt Gingrich On The Defense

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Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich was on the defense yesterday, trying to stop negative news stories extending from his comments on Medicare and health care.

Gingrich, the former House speaker started his presidential campaign a week ago, apologized to House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan and stated that he regrets calling the Wisconsin Republican's Medicare plan "right-wing social engineering."

"I made a mistake," Gingrich on Tuesday night in an interview with Fox News. "I support what he's trying to do in the budget."

Ryan's proposal for Medicare in a 2012 budget adopted by the GOP-led House turns the health insurance program for seniors into vouchers and affects people now under the age of 55.

It has been widely derided by President Obama and Democrats.

The Medicare comments were made Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press, and Gingrich has been bombarded by conservatives such as South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

The Wall Street Journal wrote an editorial, explaining how Gingrich undermined the GOP majority in the House by attacking Ryan's plan to control entitlement spending.

Marcella Glenn is a freelance writer, blogger, novelist, and former business editor. She looks forward to hearing from you. Scribble a note to her through NewsBlaze, or her blog at critiqueandwrite.blogspot.com