This past weekend, Republican presidential nominee Newt Gingrich surprised the nation with a staggering win in the South Carolina primary. Gaining about 40% of the overall vote, the conservative former Speaker of the House managed to pull ahead of frontrunner Mitt Romney to win the state’s election.
If anything, Gingrich needed the win. With Romney claiming New Hampshire and barely losing out on Iowa –Rick Santorum recently had the race called in his favor- , Gingrich needed a strong showing in SC to reassert himself in the race.
Who knew that a major controversy would help lead to Gingrich’s eventual win.
Shortly before the first southern primary, Newt Gingrich’s second ex-wife, Marianne Gingrich, came forward during an interview with ABC News, revealing startling claims about the former Speaker’s past.
Ms. Gingrich accused Newt of desiring an “open marriage” during their time together in the midst of an affair.
We have already seen scandal destroy the campaign of one presidential hopeful. If history was to repeat itself, a storm was brewing for the Gingrich campaign.
This time, history decided to be original.
Just before the polls opened in South Carolina, the Republican nominee hopefuls held a final debate.
The opening question came from the hot topic of the night – the “open marriage” interview.
The moderator asked Gingrich if he wished to comment on the issue. Newt gave a stern reply.
“No, but I will.”
The crowd erupted into a standing ovation.
Gingrich continued.
“I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run for public office,” he said. “And I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate with a topic like that.”
And boom goes the dynamite.
The standing ovation continued.
Gingrich took the possibly detrimental situation, turned it around, and provided viewers with what could be one of the strongest moments of his campaign. By striking down the claims with confidence, Gingrich made lemonade out of a batch of potentially extra-sour lemons.
On top of a strong performance during the debate, Gingrich also received needed support from Rick Perry. Perry ended his campaign before the primary.
Newt Gingrich left South Carolina with a sense of renewed strength. The former Speaker successfully put himself back into the running for the nominee, taking away from Mitt Romney’s hot streak.
Now, the remaining four (Gingrich, Romney, Santorum, and Ron Paul) will look to Florida where a crucial primary awaits.
According to a recent Rasmussen poll, Gingrich currently holds a solid lead with an estimated 41%, leading Mitt Romney’s 32%. Santorum (11%) and Paul (8%) fall far behind the other two candidates.
Keep in mind; Romney held a comfortable 22 point lead in the Sunshine state a short two weeks ago.
In a race where Romney had everything all but tied up, Newt Gingrich, the comeback kid, is now giving the former governor a run for his money.
We’ve met Mitt Romney. Now, it’s time to meet Newt Gingrich.
Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve got a race on our hands.