Posted on 04/11/2012 2:14:04 AM PDT by iowamark
Newt Gingrich pledged to stay in the race for the Republican presidential nod, even as Rick Santorum suspended his campaign on Tuesday.
“I am committed to staying in this race all the way to Tampa so that the conservative movement has a real choice,” Gingrich said in a statement released after Santorum’s announcement in Gettysburg, Pa.
Gingrich, whose campaign is carrying roughly $4.5 million in debt, immediately began trying to use Santorum’s exit as a fundraising vehicle, adding a banner to the front of his website declaring him the “last conservative standing.”
“I humbly ask Senator Santorum’s supporters to visit Newt.org to review my conservative record and join us as we bring these values to Tampa,” Gingrich said in his statement. “We know well that only a conservative can protect life, defend the Constitution, restore jobs and growth and return to a balanced budget.”
But in recent weeks, Gingrich was forced to dramatically scale back his campaign operations and slash much of his staff after winning just two primaries since the GOP race began — his former home state of Georgia and neighboring South Carolina.
Santorum, in contrast, won 11 primary states and was clearly seen as the leading conservative alternative to Mitt Romney, who has now all but officially clinched the GOP nod.
But Gingrich continues to doggedly pursue his long-shot campaign — he was in North Carolina on Tuesday while his wife, Callista, held events in New York — and has told reporters that he sees no reason to drop out while he can still push Romney to the right and influence the party’s platform at this summer’s convention.
It’s not even clear that the former House speaker will be eligible for nomination at the convention; GOP rules require winning five primaries. Gingrich has dismissed the rule as a technicality and an attempt by the establishment to ensure Romney’s nomination.
Even before Santorum’s exit, Herman Cain, the former presidential candidate and Gingrich supporter, signaled on Tuesday he was ready to fall in line behind Romney.
“I have always said I will support whoever the nominee is and it looks like Mitt Romney’s going to be that nominee, and we do need to get behind him,” Cain said Tuesday morning on Fox News. “I remind people all the time, … ‘Keep your eye on the mission.’ And the mission is to get control of the Senate, maintain control of the House and defeat Barack Obama. That means get behind the nominee so yes, I’m ready to get behind the nominee.”
“If Newt is still on the ballot” If Newt doesn’t come up with the 5 C notes he won’t be on Utah’s primary ballot.
You can still vote fgr Santorum. Just because they suspend their campaign that doesn’t mean your vote don’t count or their delegate (if they carry a district) doesn’t get seated. I’ve already voted for Santorum in my state and he’s got those delegates. If I lived in PA I’d have a Santorum yard sign up and be voting for him on the 24th.
Rick Santorum was not my first choice but I certainly would have supported him over Romney had it come to that. I wish him and his family well. I made the right choice in supporting and remaining loyal to Newt and I certainly understand those who get involved in the campaign and being loyal to another candidate.
And you don’t think that works both ways?
On the couch w/ nancy ring any bells?
Actually, what’s “crummy” is what Rick did.
e had stayed in, he and Newt and even Ron may have had enough delegates combined from stopping Romney before Tampa.
I have common sense and not what you call political amnesia. On a sofa about a theory - seems to blind you - how dumb are you? Talk about how anything can blind those who are hell bent to be blind and remain blind.
How about the other candidates sitting with evil to do it’s will. That doesn’t seem to shake you - you must be comfy with evil!
I can't because it is NOT about a candidate but OUR COUNTRY! And NEWT is the ONLY ONE with the love, determination, the know how, the proven past accomplishments to bring back our country from the hands of evil/Barry/Mitt.
I agree that conservatives should stop Romney from getting a majority of delegates before the convention. Do the majority of former Santorum supporters endorse Romney, Gingrich, Paul, or someone else?
“I can’t because it is NOT about a candidate but OUR COUNTRY! And NEWT is the ONLY ONE with the love, determination, the know how, the proven past accomplishments to bring back our country from the hands of evil/Barry/Mitt.”
I don’t disagree with you, I chose Newt for the same reasons.
“EVERY reason WHY we should support Newt”
...is contained in this speech:
2011, NRA Annual Meetings - Newt Gingrich - Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aMNzrPovu8
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOnWzGB7G1g
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEHaF-6TEQ4
There is plenty more, if the above is not enough to convince you.
And this is the man whose favored brand of shoe polish you are so eager to taste?
Common sense...Tsch.
Romney’s court appointees may be no better than obama’s.
You are one clueless dude and the kind the GOP E considers ‘right for the pickings’. It’s way past time you got dressed.
I guess you’re no fan of President Reagan then. Hmmm...
It was a resolution that was realistic. Newt and Rick were friendly with each other, and Rick had also said publicly that he would definitely consider Newt as his running mate.
The next thing that happened was talk about Newt's meeting with Romney, followed by Newt's weekend comments concerning Romney's being the most likely candidate.
Now what is wrong with this picture so far? IMO (and I very well may be wrong - only time and leaks will tell), Newt decided not to back Santorum and/or form a coalition with him, and Newt's Romney remarks are a reflection of that decision.
Furthermore, I think Newt's stance became a significant factor which contributed to Santorum’s decision to suspend. And to add insult to injury, once Santorum dropped out, Newt made moves to get his campaign going again.
Stuff about this will be leaked. It's only a matter of time. I will stand corrected and make a statement saying so, if I'm wrong.
It's a shame that a coalition never happened. IMO, many of us were hoping for it.
I agree.
But that is now impossible, since Santorum begged Romney to pay off his campaign debts. In addition to that, Santorum’s big financial backer has already gone over to Romney.
Newt's big backer is also about to pull the plug on the already sinking canoe that Newt is riding in. Reality does not choose sides. It is what it is, so we need to figure out how to beat Obama with what we have, as well as make sure our interests are represented as Conservatives.
IT IS a fantastic speech and it was there and then, after I watched it, that I decided to support Newt.
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