Newt Gingrich's REAL Statements on Iraq

Surely enough, 99% of blogs (including myself initially) fell for the old reporter's trick of taking Newt Gingrich out of context. Thanks to Severe Writer's Block, who offers Gingrich's complete context:

Gingrich's position of Iraq has been consistent and clear:

1. The decision by Paul Bremer to go from a liberation model to an occupation model in June 2003 was a major mistake (Gingrich first said this publicly in December 2003).

2. The United States needs to train the Iraqis as rapidly as possible and "pull back" from the cities to bases and air fields and serve as reinforcers as opposed to occupiers (this position is outlined in today's WSJ as the official policy).

3. The United States is likely to need to keep some forces in Iraq for a very long time (Gingrich has been saying this as far back in 2003).

Hmm....that's a bit more nuanced than the Argus-Leader reporter's statement:

"It was an enormous mistake for us to try to occupy that country after June of 2003," Gingrich said during a question-and-answer session at the school. "We have to pull back, and we have to recognize it."

Unfortunately, no one really bothers reading beyond the headline anymore, including every moonbat blog I've come across:

Newt Flips on Iraq: "We Have to Pull Back"
Gingrich Says Iraq Occupation was a Mistake
Why Does Newt Gingrich Hate America?