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August 10, 2007

Posted: August 10th, 2007 05:00 PM ET

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) – Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich told CNN he thinks former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney will take home a first place finish Saturday at the Ames, Iowa straw poll.

"He's outspent everybody else by about 35 to 1," said Gingrich. "He's got the organization, and I'll be very shocked if he doesn't come in first."

Gingrich made the comments while signing copies of his book at the Iowa State Fair.

When asked what could happen if Romney, the frontrunner in Iowa polls, doesn't come through with a big finish in Ames, Gingrich said, "I think if he doesn't, I think he's got a problem. You can't have 35 times as much money as your next competitor and not do well."

The Ames straw poll is an unofficial testing of the waters for Republican presidential candidates. However, national frontrunners such as former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and Senator John McCain, R-Arizona, have said they will not officially participate in this poll.

– CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch

Filed under: Iowa • Mitt Romney • Newt Gingrich

9 Comments | Permalink


Ron Nebraska		August 12th, 2007 6:04 pm ET Gee that Newt sure is brilliant!

Kyu Reisch, Radcliff, Kentucky		August 11th, 2007 9:38 am ET Gingrich is a liar and loser, I don't care about what he think? I don't understand what is he looking for exactly? Don't wasete people's time.

Emma Diemer, Santa Barbara, CA		August 10th, 2007 11:16 pm ET Does anyone really care what Gingrich thinks?

Kim, Mpls, Mn		August 10th, 2007 10:49 pm ET Geez, who cares about what any of the candidates or potential candidates think of state winners or potential tickets. Let the people speak without this useless information.... My Repl. straw poll prediction: Hmmm, Romney because he's the only front-runner participating....rocket science.. Democratic Ticket: Obama/Bloomberg Publish that.

Chip Marietta		August 10th, 2007 10:33 pm ET Romney with Gingrich could be a winning ticket!

Myron, Honolulu, HI		August 10th, 2007 9:20 pm ET Money can't buy me LOVE but it sure does buy votes! ask Newt!

John, Ca.		August 10th, 2007 8:01 pm ET Wow, really going out on a limb there Newt. Can you also let us know if the sun will come up tomorrow? Why does anyone give coverage to this guy? His ego is bigger than the monthly checks that we send to Haliburton. He is only in this to stroke his ego! He is not going to run, because even he knows he wouldn't have a snowballs chance in hell of winning in the general election. Please, stop covering every word this hasben Pol utters, please! Enough Newt coverage. No one cares!

Greg, Phoenix, AZ		August 10th, 2007 7:31 pm ET BRILLIANT Great bet considering he's the only candidate who is participating!

dilmont		August 10th, 2007 6:40 pm ET Please, please, please, oh PLEASE, someone pretend I'm relevent. Anyone at all!!!
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