The way I read this is Newt is moving the goalposts. He said he would drop out if Romney got to 1144; he now sees that Romney will almost certainly get to 1144; so he's now saying he will drop out only if Romney gets to an "undisputed" 1144.
Actually this column is not Newt’s first foray into the delegate discussion, as he has been tutoring on this fact since Florida, from time to time. Probably his supporters are the only ones paying attention, but now the media is beginning to get the picture.
This will affect the paradigm on “inevitability”, as facts fist have to be drawn in crayon for the media.
1144 means more than 1144. It means 1144 of the real deal - committed delegates. Newt teaching Basics 101. Again.