Many attendees were eager to hear what he would say during his speech after he criticized the conference and its organizers during an interview with nationally-syndicated radio host Laura Ingraham, in part for its decision to disinvite moderate Republicans like Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) to this year’s conference. He reversed his position during the speech, however, calling this year’s CPAC a “remarkable” one.

Gingrich continued on to attack the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, whom he believes are dragging their feet when it comes to enacting change in Washington. “They control every committee and every sub-committee in the House, ” Gingrich said in exasperation. “They could be having a hearing every week on the future.”

“It is virtually impossible to get Washington D.C. to actually learn how to think about a new world,” he added.

He also took issue with the fact that many conservatives in Washington, including Florida Senator Marco Rubio, believe that the GOP doesn’t need new ideas.

“We don’t need new principles, but we need lots of ideas about how to implement those principles in the 21st century,” he argued. “We are not the anti-Obama movement.”

Ever the self-promoter, Gingrich used his CPAC speech as a platform to tout the ‘Newt University‘ seminars he runs. “We need your help at the Newt University if you want to sign up,” Gingrich pleaded with the audience.

His wife Calista, who introduced him at the conference, also used the opportunity to speak as a way of promoting the various other projects the couple is currently involved with.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4baBNRnels0&w=560&h=315]