Newt Gingrich asks Rick Santorum supporters to back him, vows to stay in the Republican presidential [View all]

[brooklynite]

Source: Boston Globe

Newt Gingrich praised Rick Santorum’s “remarkable campaign” Tuesday after the former Pennsylvania senator bowed out of the presidential race, and Gingrich invited Santorum’s supporters into his own camp.

“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. “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. We know well that only a conservative can protect life, defend the Constitution, restore jobs and growth and return to a balanced budget.”

Gingrich has conceded he has little chance of securing the 1,144 delegates needed to win the Republican nomination outright. Late last month, his campaign announced it was shedding a third of its staff, and the former House speaker also has pledged to back front-runner Mitt Romney, if Romney becomes the nominee.

But Gingrich is holding out hope that he can attract enough votes from Santorum supporters to prevent Romney from reaching 1,144 delegates before August and that he can win the GOP nomination at a contested Republican National Convention.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2012/04/newt-gingrich-asks-rick-santorum-supporters-back-him-vows-stay-the-republican-presidential-race/nNXgQUjYx0my4PoCnB8SQM/index.html

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I predict Newt will challenge Romney to a mano-a-mano Debate (maybe "Lincoln-Douglas" style) as the last two "real" candidates.

I also predict Romney won't acknowledge Newt's existence.