(CNN) – Newt Gingrich announced Monday he received the backing of Todd Palin, husband of former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
At an early afternoon Rotary Club meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire, Gingrich said he just learned of the developments.
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"About 20 minutes ago I got a very nice phone call from Todd Palin, Sarah's husband, and he indicated he was going to endorse me today," Gingrich said.
The 2012 GOP hopeful later sent out a message on his Twitter account, saying, "Honored to be endorsed by Todd Palin. President Obama has failed. We need a Bold Reagan Conservative in the WH."
Gingrich's message linked to an article on the website of ABC News, which first reported Todd Palin's endorsement.
In a statement released by Gingrich's campaign, Palin touted the candidate's leadership skills.
"Newt Gingrich is a true leader, which he has proven not only since the beginning of his campaign, but throughout his career," Palin wrote. "Just like Sarah, Newt has faced many successes and challenges. Despite his consultants leaving him last summer, Newt is still standing because of his ideas and his success in the debates – not by spending millions of dollars in campaign ads."
Todd Palin, often referred to as the "First Dude" by his wife when she was serving as Alaska's governor, has long served as one of Sarah Palin's closest political advisers.
Sarah Palin has yet to publicly endorse a candidate.
Also see:
Santorum to South Carolina: 'Step up'
Paul looking forward to South Carolina, caucus states
From CNN Politics
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You're kidding, right? Right?
If I was Newt I'd keep that endorsement a secret.
One more reason for voting for someone else.
Now this is what you call a kiss of death.
Todd's endorsement? Great! That matters about as much as Homer Simpson's endorsement!
Talk about the kiss of death...................
Todd must have written a book.
OMG!!
Is this suppose to be a joke?
One more reason not to vote for Newt, as if another was needed.
Todd and Sarah who???
Why would I care about what the husband of a completely unqualified politician has to say? This actually seems like a negative for Newt Gingrich in my book.
Wow! Does that help or hinder Mr. Gingrich?
Great news, Newt, you got yourself a really top notch endorsement. Because Todd Palin is such a powerful figure on the political scene.
Todd Palin is a big endorsement? For doing what? Being married to a half-term governor of the Great White Northwest?
Stop it. We all know Todd plain is not old enough to vote.
Ron Paul 2012
Who cares????!!!!
Is Gingrich sure he wasn't punked?
Just one more reason not to vote for Newt.
The kiss of death for Gingrich.
And I should care what he thinks BECAUSE?????????????
Who in this world cares about what Todd thinks???
I'm sure this has been said perhaps several times already but I'll say it again...WHO CARES?????
Well, considering he wasn't a republican a decade ago, and seems to be a fan of Succession from the United States.. i'm surprised he didn't endorse Perry or Ron Paul – I mean.. that would align more with his Ideology. But, this really isn't about Ideology, is it? No – it's about Cash, thinking the Palin's still matter in the Political Sphere, and hoping that Newt wins the Primary so his wife can have a 2% chance of getting a VP Nod so they are relevant again. But, Newt's not as dumb as McCain.. he won't make the same mistake twice.
And THAT is important because?
Oh that will really help Newt claw his way back to the top. They are all so sad and boring.