NEW ORLEANS - Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich ripped into Rep. Henry Waxman again Friday, telling HUMAN EVENTS in an exclusive interview that the California Democrat was a "bully" who was acting "outrageous."
A day after telling conservatives gathered at the Southern Republican Leadership conference that Waxman was an “egocentric centralized figure of political power beyond the reach of normal humility,” Gingrich unloaded on Waxman again over his decision to call several companies before a congressional hearing because they reported the new healthcare law will have a devastating effect on their finances.
AT&T, for example, says it will cost the company $1 billion. Gingrich joins several congressional Republicans in criticizing Waxman's decision to summon the corporate officials to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
“I think that what he is doing is utterly totally outrageous,” said Gingrich told HUMAN EVENTS. “I think that what he said the other day attacking the companies for having told the truth about the cost of healthcare was absolutely reprehensible in a free society. To have a politician using their power in that kind of abusive bullying fashion.”
Gingrich's speech to the enthusiastic crowd garnered more media attention and conservative applause than top-billing speaker Sarah Palin.
Late Friday, Gingrich’s picture still remained on the top of the Drudge Report with a quote from his speech, “Obama the most radical president ever.”
When asked by HUMAN EVENTS what was it that Gingrich said that connected with the people so much, Gingrich replied, “Every time people turn around they see more evidence of bigger taxes, more government, bigger bureaucracy, more control in Washington.”
“I think that whatever doubts people had, where they hoped that after Scott Brown won that the President was going to modify what he was doing and become more willing to work with the American people,” Gingrich said. “I think it makes people more eager to have a clear vivid defining explanation. That’s why I think the speech last night had the impact that it did because it gave people a way of explaining what they are living through.”
Gingrich has the “Eye of the Tiger”
News outlets and blogs paid special attention to Gingrich’s entrance into the SRLC ballroom to Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger.” Gingrich says he has used that song at a number of events, the first of which was in 1996.
“I like the song,” said Gingrich. “It’s a sort of song about comeback and it was in Rocky II. Audiences react to it because it has a great driving theme. It’s fun, it makes it fun.”
Gingrich is also the only speaker so far who has chosen to walk through the audience on his way to the podium. “You want to be at one with the audience,” said Gingrich, “we are on the same team.”
