Former House Speaker Gingrich weighs in on health care reform, 2010 elections

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich

Speaking via video conference with college students from around the country, Former House Speaker Republican Newt Gingrich offered up his assessments Thursday of the House health care reform bill and his outlook on next year's midterm elections.

Gingrich made no apologies for his views and even took some of his fellow Republicans to task over past wrongs.  His only acknowledgement to President Obama's current struggles came with the statement, "You inherit whatever was there before you."  His compassion ended there.

The former Speaker who served in that position from 1995-99 blasted the present Democratic leadership saying they're, "arrogant and out-of touch."  He continued to criticize them by saying that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her fellow Democrats don't care a whit for what the American people want.  He claimed this is true especially with respect to the current health care reform debate.  "The health bill is a disaster that will destroy jobs and drive doctors out of business," proclaimed Gingrich.  He said the Democrats never campaigned on such a radical change of various public policies like health care and energy but that now they're finding out just how angry people are over the current proposals being floated through Congress.

When challenged by one student about Republican spending during the Bush years and increasing the size of the government, Gingrich gave no argument.  "The Republicans spent too much money," he agreed, and he stressed that former President George W. Bush should have wielded the veto pen more often than he did.

Gingrich wrapped up the conference by peering into his crystal ball to offer insight on what may happen in the 2010 elections.  His outlook was positive as he claimed RNC Chairman Michael Steele is already in the process of drawing up an agenda similar to the 90's GOP Contract With America.  Named The First Principles, Gingrich said it's a rough draft of positive "to-dos" to get the country back on track.  He said it's important the GOP not come off as the "opposition" party but rather the party that will put the country back in order.  Gingrich listed the most important issues for America with number one being jobs, followed by energy and what he called "common sense" health care reform.  Education rounded out the top five.  With respect to energy policy Gingrich stressed the importance of the U.S. not "bowing to a Saudi King."

Come next year, Gingrich said he feels Americans will be so fed up with a poor economy and lagging job numbers that they will be ready and receptive to a positive Republican agenda.  The trick will be for a united GOP to develop it.