Newt backs former rival Romney in Virginia

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on Monday dismissed his own past criticisms of Republican presidential contender and one-time rival Mitt Romney as he took part in a nationwide attack on President Obama’s credentials as a job creator.

Gingrich, who dropped out of the presidential race in May and withheld an endorsement of Romney at the time, stopped by an Arlington electronics store Monday to bash Obama on Romney’s behalf for telling business owners that they “didn’t build” their own businesses. The Romney campaign held similar events in 11 other states.