Des Moines, Iowa (CNN) – As he fends of charges of shifting on key positions, embattled Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich says he will allow his ideas to evolve openly throughout the course of his campaign.
"Normally campaigns are very secretive, they don't reveal anything until they're totally ready and then they spring something," Gingrich told CNN after a campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa Monday night. "I really think you're better off when you engage the American people in a dialogue where they get to participate in the development of the ideas."
Listen to a conversation about the state of the 2012 race with CNN Radio Washington Correspondent Bob Costantini and CNN Lead Political Anchor Wolf Blitzer:
"The evolution may be more open than anything you've ever seen in a campaign," the former House Speaker and onetime college professor added.
The comments come as Gingrich faces criticism from several members of his party for comments he made during an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday, in which he took aim at provisions of GOP Rep. Paul Ryan's budget proposal and appeared to support a health care mandate.
Gingrich later walked back both comments, saying he largely supports Ryan's proposal and has long been for an appeal of the health care law.
"Let me just say I think Paul Ryan did a great job overall but I think the Medicare part needs to go through a public process, discussion, and improvement and modification and I think it can," Gingrich told CNN. "I think he has the beginning of what could be an extraordinary plan."
But he did reiterate he is taking a cautious approach to the Medicare proposal...
"I think that it's something so big and so central to people's lives that we need to make sure we do it right. And we need to make sure people understand and approve it."
Gingrich added he will state his final positions well before voters head to the polls.
"Long before we get to the election we'll lock down," he said. "We'll have a specific list of bills."
From CNN Politics
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ok Newt....OPEN MOUTH INSERT FOOT because that is going to happen more than once to you as long as your campaign goes on.
"Long before we get to the election we'll lock down," Newt said. "We'll have a specific list of bills."
I just hope Newt and his third wife pay off there hundred thousand dollar Tiffany's Bill !
The good Life !
Speaking of evolving, the Republicans want to take the country back to the 1950's and the Dems want to invest in the future so you either want to go backwards with Republicans or move forward with Obama.
Meaning: "I'll let you know what I think after I see which way the wind is blowing."
Is "evolve" the new word for flip-flop?
Embattled after less than a week as a candidate. It's over.
He made a rational argument for the same health plan that the President proposed. Now all the weak minded Republicans politicians are going crazy. That alone tells you that the Republicans don't hate the Presidents ideas they just hate the fact that he makes good sound policy decisions. They oppose him even when his policies are good for the people. And all the Republican sheep (voters) follow the fox (Republican Politicians) because they just want to hate Obama.
I don't want any candidate who says his ideas will "evolve" as the campaign progresses. That says he has no beliefs, no solutions, no ideas, no values, no character or innate integrity. If he does not know what he stands for right now – he is no leader. It means he wll do and say anything based on what the mood of the People seems to be. That is NOT leadership nor the qualities required of a real leader who will have to at some point draw on his character to make tough decisions. Newt has proved he has no character and has switched his positions constantly based on what seems to be the more popular views of the moment. That is the last type of person you want in any leadership position. Go away Newt.
Newt Guingrich is not an open and honest man. His current wife was his mistress for piossibly six years while he was married to his second wife. Calista will never be First Lady. First of all she has proved that she is not a lady. Never, never understimate the importance of the First Lady. When Kerry ran against George W Bush, everyone that I knew could not stand his wife. I am not saying that is the only reason he lost the election but it was a huge factor.
Translation – Flip-flopping seems to work great for Romney so I will do it too.
Newt Gingrich has more flip flops than the state of Hawaii!
The GOP spent the last 2 years attacking Pres. Obama instead of developing a sound alternative IDEA. Well the chicken has come home to roast and all can now see that they are not ready for Primetime.
2nd term to President Obama as the GOP clowns are still in circus mode. Things are too serious for these JOKES especially after the mess they left us with in 2008
This sounds like put out a trial balloon, wait for a response and then adjust to fit. Not exactly leader behavior.
Wow - a Republican using the word "evolution" - too crazy.
Welcome to the Republican "dog and pony " show, otherwise known as the show that never ends!