Daily Caller editor-in-chief Tucker Carlson put aside his past reverence of Newt Gingrich to lash out at Gingrich's criticism over the Caller's so-called "bombshell video" showing then-Sen. Barack Obama talking about race issues in front of African-American clergy members in 2007. Carlson and others hyping the five-year-old video claimed it was evidence of “divisive class warfare and racially-charged rhetoric.”
During an appearance on Fox News' America Live, while attempting to defend his decision to release the video, Carlson was made aware of Gingrich's criticism. Carlson responded: “Who cares what Newt Gingrich said?”
Gingrich yesterday discounted the video, agreeing that Obama's record as president has a “far greater impact” on the election. Gingrich said: “I don't think this particular speech is definitive.”
Other conservatives have also questioned the video's importance, saying the 2007 speech holds little significance in the current presidential race.
Carlson's dismissive response is in contrast with his past comments praising Gingrich. In 2009, he referred to Gingrich as “the soul” of the GOP and “the intellectual center of the Republican Party -- the smartest, most energetic guy.” More recently, Carlson praised Gingrich for the “great job” he did calling Obama the “food stamp president.”