The point is that, even if the VA GOP did put out a "new" rule that over 15,000 signatures would lead to automatic placement on the ballot, Gingrich never came anywhere close to that. So he was never denied the opportunity for automatic placement. And, again, article after article is out there with the info that all the candidates were advised to get 15-20,000 signatures, just to be safe. And, again, Gingrich never came anywhere near that.
Gingrich certainly knew the rules and was not duped about the review process. The day before the deadline, he admitted that his campaign was "scrambling." Then he tweeted that his campaign "Passed req 10K signatures in VA, 600 from each district. On the way to 15K. Join us in Arlington Wed & Richmond Thurs."
Newt knew very well that he needed to try to get to 15,000. It just didn't happen.
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