Weigel

Newt on Freddie and Fannie in 2008

Video archivist Andy Kaczynski digs up a 2008 Q&A session with Newt Gingrich hosted by a current campaign rival, Michele Bachmann. The session was on September 3, 2008, five days before the government would seize full control of the GSEs, but months into revelations about how it was being mismanaged.

It’s a short answer, but it’s interesting that Gingrich says he advised Freddie Mac on “policy,” not “fiduciary” issues, and that he criticizes management. This isn’t an existential criticism of the GSEs, or prescription for what they can do next. It’s an incompetence dodge.