Politics

Paul Ryan swipes back at Newt Gingrich over budget plan

Amanda Carey Contributor
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Republican Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin took a swipe at 2012 presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, Monday, over comments the former Speaker of the House made on Sunday’s “Meet the Press” about Ryan’s budget plan.

“With allies like that, who needs the left?” said Ryan on a radio show Monday morning.

On Sunday, Gingrich distanced himself from Ryan’s plan, which has already passed the House, calling the sweeping reforms to Medicare akin to social engineering.

“I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering,” said Gingrich. “I don’t think imposing radical change from the right or the left is a very good way for a free society to operate.”

Ryan also responded Monday adding “Hardly is that social engineering and radical,” he said. “What’s radical is kicking the can down the road.”

When Gingrich took such a hard swing to the popular Congressman’s budget plan, many viewed it as an obvious campaign move. But the former Speaker may be headed for a ‘he was for it before he was against it’ moment on the campaign trail.

According to Time Magazine, Gingrich sang Ryan’s praises and that of his budget’s. “Sure,” said Gingrich, when asked if he would vote for Ryan’s plan, before calling it “the first step” toward fixing the health care system. Gingrich also called Ryan “brave” and a “man of ideas.”