The problem is that Newt changed his argument. When he earlier called Ryan’s proposal “right wing social engineering” he was objecting (or seemed to be objecting) to the substance of the proposal. Then he comes on Levin’s show and claims he was just making a process argument — i.e. that his concern was just that Ryan’s proposal wouldn’t be fully debated and that the public wouldn’t be “fully engaged”.
It came across as a very lame attempt to weasel out of what he said before. I thought Levin nailed him pretty good on it — Newt definitely seemed uncomfortable — though I wish he had been clearer in pointing out that New had switched arguments.
BTW, I kind of got a chuckle out of how Levin just kind of skipped over the opening pleasantries and immediately got to work cornering Newt. Newt started off with some chit chat about what he’d been up to in Iowa; Levin listened to that for about 5 seconds then basically said “yeah, whatever, now let’s get down to business...”
Or, perhaps it is an attempt to clarify what he actually proposes. Has anyone actually looked at the website that he mentioned with where he says his positions are?
The fact is that there is no fix for the whole extra-Constitutional income redistribution scheme - the revered Socialist Security. But NO ONE has the guts to say that out loud.
But, we are very good at forming the CCFS
Circular Conservative Firing Squad.
I say, give him a chance to right his ship - lay out his real plans and STOP letting sound bites drive the debates and select our candidates.