Gingrich's campaign was probably doomed from the start, since he carried enough baggage to sink the S. S. United States. And then you might recall his campaign's horrible beginning, when he antagonized many of his would-be conservative supporters by denouncing the Ryan budget plan as "right-wing social engineering." He then took a leisurely cruise through the Mediterranean when he should have been getting his campaign together. You may also remember that his entire staff resigned.
Since he styles himself as a subject expert in American history, Gingrich should have followed the pattern of Republicans such as Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan who succeeded in winning the White House. Successful candidates begin laying the groundwork early on, build a solid and reliable campaign organization, and avoid taking on baggage or taking actions that antagonize their base of support.