Posted on 01/14/2012 12:19:44 PM PST by TitansAFC
DUNCAN, S.C. -- As soon as Newt Gingrich wrapped up his remarks on Saturday night at a forum hosted by the Republican Parties of Greenville and Spartanburg counties, it was Rick Santorum's turn to take the stage.
But Gingrich ensured that the spotlight remained on him.
As the former Pennsylvania senator began his remarks to hundreds of GOP activists gathered inside a high school cafeteria, Gingrich drew most of the media on hand to a nearby hallway where he held a press conference apparently timed to steal Santorum's thunder.
Gingrich took a pass when asked how, over the next week, he would contrast his record with Santorum's.
But even before taking a question, the former House speaker -- who just last month promised to run a relentlessly positive campaign -- launched an all-out barrage against Mitt Romney, laying into the former Massachusetts governors record on abortion, the Second Amendment, taxes and job creation.
The message Gingrich was trying to convey was clear: that the real battle in South Carolina was between himself and Romney, with the other candidates playing bit roles.
If we end up splitting the conservative vote, were going to end up nominating somebody with whom 95 percent of the people in this room are going to be very uncomfortable, Gingrich had told the crowd, clearly referencing Romney, whom he has labeled a Massachusetts moderate.
Gingrich has some recent numbers to back up his belief that he is the Romney alternative best-positioned to turn back the national front-runners momentum in South Carolina. According to the latest RCP Average of Palmetto State polls, Gingrich trails Romney by less than 5 percent, while Santorum and the libertarian-leaning Ron Paul are 12 percentage points behind. Rick Perry and Jon Huntsman continue to spin their wheels in the mid-single digits.........
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
GOOD to get a first person report. Thank you very much.
I think this is the event I watched on CSPAN.
Newt’s answers to the Congressmen were great!
But people don’t like folks with sharp tongues. The MSM told me so.
Mitt and Rick seem so civil. Gosh... ya just have to admire how pure they are..
Is the “Massachusetts Moderate” label catching on as a popular pejorative down there in SC Republican Party circles? Just wondering, especially after that Wynn-guy blasted Gingrich for attacking Romney on his business record.
Candidates who didnt attend this event were foolish.
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Let me guess
Romney wasnt there but sent a couple of his obnoxious sons
Just like in Aiken in 2008
Weird!
Sweater vest power?
Not even the one my mother gave me.
Could you tell me why Santorum and Romney always seem to pull their punches against each other?
Perfect graphic!
Right on. Newt Gingrich our next President.
VERY good video!
Me neither.
Hey dingdong, they are very comfortable in winter. You should try one, education is a blessing. Mother knows best.
LOL!
I don’t see any evidence of that. Santorum clobbers Romney in the head to head.
Actually, the polls so far don’t bear that out. Santorum does quite well against Obama.
You mean sweater to sweater.
I mean head to head. He’s got a 20 point lead over Romney.
Newt actually loses when it’s him vs. Romney.
Try a red plaid insulated one.
The cashmere one with the crest isn’t working
Gitter done!
Rick Santorum is such a weak sister its ridiculous!
This is the guy that’s going to be the standard bearer? LOL!
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