 In another surprising 2012 plot twist, Ron Paul became the first Republican candidate to take on the new frontrunner Newt Gingrich today, releasing a scathing video that attacks Gingrich for "serial hypocrisy." Watch: 
 
 Follow CJ on Twitter The ad doesn’t even touch all the bases on Gingrich, but hits hard at Gingrich over his climate change ad with Nancy Pelosi, his criticism of the Ryan budget plan, his Freddie Mac connections, and his support for an individual health insurance mandate, all set to an epic score, and sinister, grainy black-and-white photography. “Ron Paul is the only Republican presidential candidate with that record.” 
 
 The Gingrich campaign defended Newt’s conservative record, but refrained from mentioning Paul — instead taking a shot at GOP candidate Mitt Romney.
– Dear Newt, Ron Paul would like to warmly welcome you to your new role as frontrunner, or at least almost-frontrunner, with this blistering new ad. It's called "Serial Hypocrisy," notes the Daily Caller, and it weaves together various clips (Gingrich talking health care with Nancy Pelosi, the "social engineering" comment about Paul Ryan, his Freddie Mac riches, Rush Limbaugh blasting him, etc.) into a two-and-a-half-minute assault. Business Insider: Calls it "scathing," with a clear aim to "remind conservatives why they didn't like Newt Gingrich the first time around." Politico: "The hardest blow yet against Newt Gingrich ..." Mediaite: It's "absolutely brutal" ... Salon: Joan Walsh is "awestruck" by it, and not because she's in it.