By By Michael Krebs Dec 11, 2011 in Politics Speaking on Fox News' 'Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano,' Conservative talk host Glenn Beck suggested Tea Party support for a Progressive Newt Gingrich was akin to racism. Watch the latest video at video.foxbusiness.com Beck took the opportunity to characterize the surging candidacy of former House speaker Newt Gingrich as one that mirrors the big government ambitions of the Obama White House, labeling Gingrich a Progressive. "Look into his record," Glenn asserted. "See what he believes. This man is a Progressive. He knows he's a Progressive. He doesn't have a problem with being a Progressive. So, if you've got a big government Progressive or a big government Progressive in Obama, one in Newt Gingrich, one in Obama, ask yourself this, Tea Party: is it about Obama's race? Because that's what it appears to be to me. If you're against him but you're for this guy, it must be about race." A similar characterization was Gingrich has been winning big in Iowa, but as Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney does not appear to be slowing Newt Gingrich's appeal among Republican voters. In the latest televised GOP debate on Saturday night in Iowa, Gingrich was seen as having owned the evening, However, Gingrich's candidacy does not sit well with all Republicans, as Glenn Beck's position underscored. "Big government GOP machinery," Beck said, when asked to explain Gingrich's surge. And a big government machine is precisely what the Tea Party opposes. Conservative talk show host and author Glenn Beck appeared on Fox News' "Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano" on Saturday to share his perspectives on the Republican presidential candidate field, with just weeks remaining before the January 3 Iowa caucus.Beck took the opportunity to characterize the surging candidacy of former House speaker Newt Gingrich as one that mirrors the big government ambitions of the Obama White House, labeling Gingrich a Progressive."Look into his record," Glenn asserted. "See what he believes. This man is a Progressive. He knows he's a Progressive. He doesn't have a problem with being a Progressive. So, if you've got a big government Progressive or a big government Progressive in Obama, one in Newt Gingrich, one in Obama, ask yourself this, Tea Party: is it about Obama's race? Because that's what it appears to be to me. If you're against him but you're for this guy, it must be about race."A similar characterization was made by the Baltimore Sun on Thursday , describing Newt Gingrich as a "closet Progressive."Gingrich has been winning big in Iowa, but as MSNBC reported on Sunday , the Gingrich campaign is building huge leads in South Carolina and Florida as well.Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney does not appear to be slowing Newt Gingrich's appeal among Republican voters. In the latest televised GOP debate on Saturday night in Iowa, Gingrich was seen as having owned the evening, according to the Huffington Post However, Gingrich's candidacy does not sit well with all Republicans, as Glenn Beck's position underscored."Big government GOP machinery," Beck said, when asked to explain Gingrich's surge. And a big government machine is precisely what the Tea Party opposes. More about Glenn beck, Newt gingrich, Fox news, Progressives, Big government More news from Glenn beck Newt gingrich Fox news Progressives Big government Tea party Napolitano 2012 presidential el...