Newt Gingrich has personally apologized to Paul Ryan for describing Ryan's proposed Medicare overhaul as "right-wing social engineering," and in doing so he seems to feel entitled to ask that those remarks be stricken from the record. "Any ad which quotes what I said on Sunday is a falsehood, because I have said publicly those words were inaccurate and unfortunate," Gingrich told Fox News, referring to his comments on Meet the Press a few days ago. "When I make a mistake, and I'm going to on occasion, I'm going to share with the American people that was a mistake becuase that way we can have an honest conversation." Gingrich said he was worried about a "dishonest Democratic ad," but that is probably a more distant concern than ads coming from his Republican primary opponents.

Video of Gingrich's comments:

Gingrich's presidential campaign has taken several lumps in its few days of existence. In other Newt news:

• Holly Golightly would be so jealous! Gingrich owed between $250,000 and $500,000 to Tiffany's in 2005 and 2006, according to financial disclosure records his wife filed when she was working for the House agriculture committee, Politic's Jake Sherman reports. Gingrich's staff wouldn't comment whether he'd paid off the jeweler's tab.

• At the Gingriches' book signing in Minneapolis, a gay rights protester showered Gingrich with glittery confetti, saying, "Feel the rainbow! Stop the hate! Stop the anti-gay politics! It's dividing our country and it's not fixing our economy." The man was quickly pushed out of the room as the presidential candidate dusted off the sparkles. This comes a day after an Iowa voter shook Gingrich's hand and told him to get out of the race before he further embarrassed himself. Do we have a new trend on our hands? Being mean to Newt Gingrich on tape?

Gingrich has become a very entertaining presidential candidate. Is he the new Donald Trump?

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Elspeth Reeve