Newt's History With Fannie Mae Longer Than We Thought

Rick Santorum is looking better all the time. Rush Limbaugh pulled up just short of endorsing him and Michelle Malkin went all in for the former senator. I could never vote for Romney even if it meant listening to Ann Coulter pathetic argument about his electability for the rest of eternity. I've overlooked way more in Gingrich's case than I have any other politician but I've about reached my limit of forgiveness. The latest piece of evidence of Newt's unfitness for office come from the New York Times. Think what you will about the source, question the timing coming the day before the Nevada caucuses but turn a deaf ear to Gingrich if that is entire defense.

On a trip to Ireland in 1998, Speaker Newt Gingrich researched his Irish roots, discussed the prospects for peace in Northern Ireland and entertained speculation about his presidential ambitions. He even donned work gloves and blue jeans to help build a home in Belfast for a good-will project.

Two of the sponsors for part of the Ireland trip were frequent partners of Mr. Gingrich: Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae — the government-backed housing industry giants that Mr. Gingrich has denounced as he fights to stay in contention against Mitt Romney in the Republican primaries

The Times goes on to point out that Gingrich's relationship with Freddie Mac and Fannie May began before, not after, as we have been told Gingrich left government. It was the cozy relationship forged as Speaker that set the stage for the "consulting" gig Gingrich acquired after leaving government. When the Republicans took control of the House Fannie and Freddie scrambled to find political allies in the new Republican majority. Former Congressman Jim Leach of Iowa became head of the House Financial Services Committee. He was not disposed to be friendly toward the two Government Sponsored Enterprises. He favored a plan that would require Fannie and Freddie to pay the bulk of a $4.8 billion reserve to troubled savings and loan institutions. Gingrich voiced his opposition to the plan and the two men met behind closed doors. After that the plan died. A separate attempt within the House budget committee in 1995 to raise fees on Freddie and Fannie by hundreds of millions of dollars also died without a vote after Mr. Gingrich rejected it.

The former Speaker followed several of his aides to Fanny and Freddie but the biggest name to leave was that of Arne L. Christenson, Gingrich’s chief of staff who was hired as chief lobbyist for Fannie Mae. The trip to Belfast to promote an American aid project to Northern Ireland, “The House that Congress Built" was cosponsored by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Habitat for Humanity and the National Association of Realtors. According to his campaign Gingrich took the trip because “Improving access to home ownership has long been an aim of his public policy.” He was invited by Habitat for Humanity but no mention of the trip is mentioned on his financial disclosure form he filed with Congress that year.

It's a sure bet these revelations will be big news tomorrow. I suspect many voters are already as uneasy with the former Speaker as am I and the next few days may be make or break for Newt all over again. What next? He invested in White Water and Callista traded cattle futures?