Rep. Gingrey Bows Down Before Rush Limbaugh, Apologizes For Criticism (VIDEO)

Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) bowed down before Rush Limbaugh today, calling into the influential pundit's radio show today to apologize for his "stupid comments" in which he accused Limbaugh of doing the easy thing, "throwing bricks," instead of doing what's best for the people and the Republican party.

Gingrey struck a very deferential tone with Limbaugh, calling the radio firebrand a "conservative giant" and apologizing for putting his "foot in my mouth." The overall tone and quick turnaround from criticism to apology lead MSNBC anchor Norah O'Donnell to suggest Gingrey could be "groveling" to Limbaugh.

Watch Gingrey's apology to Limbaugh below. Scroll down further to read the statement released by Gingrey's office.

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Statement released by Gingrey's office.

Because of the high volume of phone calls and correspondence received by my office since the Politico article ran, I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to grassroots conservatives. Let me assure you, I am one of you. I believe I was sent to Washington to fight for and defend our traditional values of smaller government, lower taxes, a strong national defense, and the lives of the unborn. In my six years in Washington, I have led the charge on many of these issues. In fact, in 2008 The National Journal ranked me the #1 most conservative Member of the House of Representatives.

As long as I am in the Congress, I will continue to fight for and defend our sacred values. I have actively opposed every bailout, every rebate check, every so called "stimulus." And on so many of these things, I see eye-to-eye with Rush Limbaugh. Regardless of what yesterday's headline may have read, I never told Rush to back off. I regret and apologize for the fact that my comments have offended and upset my fellow conservatives--that was not my intent. I am also sorry to see that my comments in defense of our Republican Leadership read much harsher than they actually were intended, but I recognize it is my responsibility to clarify my own comments.

Now more than ever, we need to articulate a clear conservative message that distinguishes our values and our approach from those of liberal Democrats who are seeking to move our nation in the wrong direction. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Newt Gingrich, and other conservative giants are the voices of the conservative movement's conscience. Everyday, millions and millions of Americans--myself included--turn on their radios and televisions to listen to what they have to say, and we are inspired by their words and by their determination. At the end of the day, every member of the conservative movement, from our political commentators and thinkers to our elected officials, share an important and common purpose in advancing the cause of liberty, reigning in a bloated federal government, and defending our traditional family values.