Takedown

WSJ: Gingrich Loves Big Government

What his Freddie Mac payday says about his philosophy.

If you're watching the Wall Street Journal editorial page for which way the wind is blowing in the Republican primary, take note of this: they're amplifying Michele Bachmann's attacks in Saturday's debate on Newt Gingrich's lobbying for Freddie Mac. "The real history lesson here may be what the Freddie episode reveals about Mr. Gingrich's political philosophy. To wit, he has a soft spot for big government when he can use it for his own political ends." He's still defending himself, but he's calling big-government profiteering a conservative value. "Mr. Gingrich would help his candidacy if he stopped defending his Freddie payday, admitted his mistake, and promised to atone as President by shrinking Fannie and Freddie and ultimately putting them out of business."