[SDorothy28]

We're gonna need more popcorn for this.

TPM: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2....php?ref=fpblg

Newt Gingrich appeared on Rush Limbaugh's radio show this afternoon to explain the whole dust-up since he blasted Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-WI) Medicare-privatizing budget proposal as "right-wing social engineering." Gingrich's latest explanation: He wasn't talking about Ryan or the budget at all!

And what's more, he's supported that budget and Ryan's plan ever since Ryan briefed him on it, weeks before its public announcement.

...

"And by the way, it was not a reference to Paul Ryan. There was no reference to Paul Ryan in that answer."

To which Limbaugh asked: "Well then what did you apologize to him about?"

"Because it was interpreted in a way, which was causing trouble, which he doesn't need or deserve. And it was causing the House Republicans trouble," said Gingrich. "One of my closest friends, somebody I truly, deeply respect, e-mailed me and said 'Your answer hits every Republican who voted for the budget.'"

"Well, my answer wasn't about the budget. And I promptly went back and said publicly, and I continue to say, I would have voted for the Ryan budget. I think it's a very important step in the right direction, and I have consistently said that from the time that Paul first briefed me on it weeks before he introduced it. And I've been talking with Paul Ryan about budget matters for the last four years."

[Kitdowstyhodo]

Newt, "Don't quote me on this, but... no, really. Don't quote me on anything. Anything I say. Just don't quote me."

Radical right-wing social engineering? He couldn't have written better talking points for the DNC going into the 2012 elections if he had tried.

Thanks, Newt.