Newt Gingrich Spring 2011 Pander Winner

WASHINGTON D.C.--Newt Gingrich today surprised many by winning the prestigious Spring 2011 "pander bear" contest.

"We felt he had the best credentials of any in the Republican field," said one of the judges. "His telling seniors what they wanted to hear was priceless."

Gingrich famously called the Paul Ryan plan "rightwing social engineering" in order to pander to seniors who don't want to see Medicare for non-seniors affected by potential cuts. Ryan's plan is said to set the Medicare program on a sustainable long-term spending trajectory. -TS