Gingrich gets flak on Medicare in Iowa

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa, May 20 (UPI) -- Newt Gingrich's criticism of Rep. Paul Ryan's Medicare plan dogged him on the campaign trail in Iowa Friday morning.

Outside a breakfast event in Council Bluffs, Don Blackford, a former party chairman in Harrison County, picketed with a sign reading, "'Radical, right-wing social engineering.' You spoke from your heart, Newt. Shame," The Des Moines Register reported.

He was referring to comments the former House speaker made on "Meet the Press" Sunday, which have outraged many Republicans.

"I know he apologized to Paul Ryan, but he still spoke from his heart. That is how he truly feels. He feels it's a radical plan. There's no apologizing for that," Blackford said.

Meanwhile, Ron Duncan held a sign protesting Gingrich's support of the 1986 immigration overhaul, which was signed by Ronald Reagan.

"The only reason I'm here is because of my grandson. If we have individuals like him as president they're not going to have any freedoms left," he said.

But Council Bluffs resident Alberta Latimer praised Gingrich.

"I've loved him ever since I first heard him as speaker. I want him in the White House before it's painted black," she said.