Gingrich admits cutting the deficit means fewer teachers

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on Monday acknowledged that budget cuts would lead to the United States have less teachers.

"I think we have to come to grips with how big the challenge is, and does that mean there will be fewer teachers?" he told CNN's John King. "The honest answer is yes. Does it mean that you're not going to get quite the same pension plan people have been getting? The honest answer is yes. Now, President Obama may say, well, we can borrow our way out of that decision. I don't think the American people agree with him."

At a campaign stop in Iowa on Friday, Romney had blasted Obama for pushing Congress to fund more teachers, firefighters and police.

"Governor Romney is saying quite clearly something almost the exact opposite of President Obama." Gingrich added. "Obama is saying bigger government, more Washington-centered behavior. Governor Romney is saying smaller government, more private sector-centered behavior."

"That's going to be a big choice," he continued. "It's going to affect Senate races, House races, the entire national dialogue. And I think that's healthy. That's what a good campaign should be about."

On Tuesday, Romney said the notion that he wanted to cut public sector jobs like teachers and firefighters was “completely absurd.”

Watch video, clipped by Talking Points Memo, below: