Did Ron Paul offer a little support to Newt as Speaker? I think he did.

At one point in the debate,  Ron Paul offered his explanation as to Newt's stepping down as speaker.  After pointing out that he was there,  as a House member,  during the 1990's,  he made it clear that Gingrich did not quit in disgrace.  The House censure happened in 1997 and Newt continued as Speaker after that event.  He quite in 1999,  when it became clear that he no longer had the membership needed to continue his agenda.  The GOP had lost a few seats in the 1998 election,  weakening the GOP majority and preventing Newt from finishing the work he had in mind.  

After the debate,  some idiot babe on MSNBC charged that Paul had undercut Newt's explanation,  that under Newt's leadership,  the House had lost seats,  that after the censure,  he was kicked out as Speaker.  That is what she said of Paul's comment.  A flat out lie.  It is very discouraging to know that these network sources actually employ media whores to do their dirty work.  

It is a matter of record. 

I will double check my memory against the record,  as soon as someone produces the debate's transcript.  

I have to tell you that,  to date,  the criticism of Newt by the MSM has been specious at best and intentionally deceptive at worst.  If that is all they've,  Newt will survive their onslaught.