Gingrich triggers conservative fracas on ethanol subsidies

Republican Newt Gingrich, who’s exploring a presidential run in 2012, has provoked a clash within conservative ranks over his support for ethanol subsidies made from corn. The former speaker of the House says “big city” critics and “big urban newspapers” – he fingered the Wall Street Journal specifically – are against “high-paying jobs” in rural America. Listen to Gingrich speech.

Gingrich delivered his remarks in Iowa, a leading producer of ethanol and the state that historically holds the first vote in presidential elections. His immediate audience was a trade group that supports renewable fuels, mainly ethanol, but Gingrich was probably hoping to appeal to the broader Iowa public and Midwesterners in general.

For years presidential contenders have traveled to Iowa to make known their support for ethanol subsidies, which critics argue are economically wasteful and destructive of the environment. Last year former Democratic Vice President Al Gore, now a foe of subsidies, said he once backed federal aid for ethanol because of his presidential aspirations.

The Journal’s conservative-leaning editorial page, long a supporter of “free markets and free people,” fired right back at Gingrich, as did other prominent conservatives. The paper suggested Gingrich is weak-kneed on spending restraint, lacks good judgment and is pandering for support.

“Even Al Gore now admits that the only reason he supported ethanol in 2000 was to goose his presidential prospects, and the only difference now between Al and Newt is that Al admits he was wrong,” the editorial concluded. Read Journal editorial.

–Jeffry Bartash

source: blogs.marketwatch