REPORTS THAT NEWT GINGRICH IS BACKING HUCKABEE turn out to be false:

Also, there has been some speculation that I have endorsed a Republican candidate or that I am supporting a particular candidate “behind the scenes.” Nothing can be further from the truth. The fact is that I have offered my advice to any candidate that wants it and have had personal conversations with several candidates on a number of issues. My goal is to help every candidate be the best they can be. I want the strongest possible field because ultimately that will lead to a stronger America.

That’s too bad in a way — I had thought that if Newt was supporting Huckabee, Huckabee had to be less of a big-government social engineer than I feared. Newt’s also blogging about his new book, which sounds interesting.