HuffPost's Howard Fineman Discusses Newt Gingrich On 'Hardball With Chris Matthews' (VIDEO)

HuffPost's Howard Fineman appeared Tuesday on MSNBC's 'Hardball with Chris Matthews' to discuss Newt Gingrich.

Matthews brought up Gingrich's recent criticism of Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) Medicare proposal. Fineman, putting this topic in the context of Gingrich's political style, explained, "Newt Gingrich is by nature a bomb-thrower, he knows how to put the plastique in just the right place to blow up the bridge. And it's the way he is. Why not, since he's totally screwed everything up today, why not give him a little credit for saying, you know what, I don't agree with their [the Republicans] approach."

Analyzing the political consequences of Newt's recent comments about Ryan's plan, Fineman said, "on the one hand, Newt is going to get attacked by fellow Republicans for not being a team player and for issuing a devastating shot at the heart of the whole Republican attack plan this year. But at the same time, if Newt manages to get anywhere, which is unlikely, he's going to be attacked by the Democrats for saying he wanted to see Medicare die on the vine."

WATCH (via MSNBC):

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Comments

[topillogical]

10:00 PM on 05/19/2011

I was so looking forward to doing Donald impressions. He was going to be a goldmine for my comedy. Newt was my second comedic choice for president. Now, his popularity is waning, just as I was making a time line of his wives. My third comedic pick is Michele Bachmann, but it's going to be harder to impersonate a lady. What is a comic to do?!?

My website: topillogical.com
It's humor, and lefty news. Enjoy.

[Farmers Market]

06:53 AM on 05/18/2011

The Republicans and tea baggers are eating themeselves alive for lack of viable candidates.

[AFBlueSuitor]

08:33 AM on 05/18/2011

Plenty of time.

[Farmers Market]

09:51 AM on 05/18/2011

Cant share your nonchalance Air Force Blue Suitor.

Time is running out! The race has started!

[Zadoc]

01:24 AM on 05/18/2011

I love Newt's comments. I think he accidentially let the truth out. Oops.
Poll: Is Newt Gingrich correct that Republican plan for Medicare is right-wing social engineering?
Link: http://www.wepolls.com/r/433476

[inkhosi]

12:04 AM on 05/18/2011

Get your popcorn, guys, this is gonna be entertaining! Don't forget the butter and salt.

[logic63]

11:50 PM on 05/17/2011

I had no use for daddy reagan but I like Ron when he is on hardball. Ron seems like a reasonable person. I can't imagine going on matthews show without losing my patience with him asking a question and then not letting you answer and continually saying what he thinks every time you try to answer

[siljerjo]

01:33 PM on 05/18/2011

Yeah, Chris definitely interrupts way too much and it makes me unable to watch the show regularly. He has his moments though, and sometimes the interruption goes to good use, like when he was "debating" the birthers etc.

[looknmirror]

11:07 PM on 05/17/2011

saturday night live candidates from hell are all possible republican 2012 nominees.........

cause, its so easy to be a one-line critic..........a little harder to have some real content.......

[flaven]

10:59 PM on 05/17/2011

The Republican Brotherhood, one thigh-slapper after another. Keep it coming, kids.

[toomuchpr]

10:34 PM on 05/17/2011

That Newt was not DOA on Ethics Violations and Marital Infidelity speaks volumes about this years' Republican field. I really hope he stays in the race and continues to throw bombs rightward.

[bdoz58]

10:05 PM on 05/17/2011

Newt is a hypocrite and in other breaking news, water makes you wet.

[Catch 22]

10:03 PM on 05/17/2011

Turn off the lights. The party's over. He is toast, and he just got started.

[Rosalee Harris]

09:37 PM on 05/17/2011

"Why dont you get out before you embarassed yourself" WOW repubs are so Nasty to each other i LOVE IT

Thats so funny

[RButler]

09:16 PM on 05/17/2011

Newt is married to a policy position and then 'cheats' on it with another position.

[The Patriot]

09:35 PM on 05/17/2011

he'll just leave it dying and go find a new, younger, better looking position.

[bigmadd]

09:08 PM on 05/17/2011

Newt has political cover, He'll just say he was for it before he was against it. He'll try to have it both ways.