(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.
CNN Live: Tune in Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET for CNN's live special coverage of the New Hampshire Primary and follow real-time results on CNNPolitics.com and on Twitter at #cnnelections. Stay up to date with CNN apps for iPhone, iPad, Android or other phones.
- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
"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
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Seriously, is Newt so pitiful that he feels an endorsement from TODD PALIN is enough to get him back in the game? Santorum flew all the way to South Carolina to get an endorsement from Gary Bauer, the short, popeyed religious nut, and now this? My endorsement is now for sale. It would carry as much weight as these two guy's endorsements.
Despert republican House Party: Will accept anything @ this point...........Who is sarah endorsing?
Fascinating stuff. Shall we comb the trailer parks and find out who the rest of America's white trash is endorsing in the Republican primaries?
And I endorse ... (drum roll) ... Donald Duck!!! What?!?!?! No press coverage? I'm shocked!
This really is not news.
Todd endorsed Gingrich and Gingrich brags about it in public. Who is the biggest fool?
Oh goodie....one idiot backing another idiot.....Hey Todd, do you really thing America cares what you think...get a life.
Todd Palin is endorsing Newt? OMG! Now I HAVE to jump on the Gingrich bandwagon for sure. After all, anyone who receives the thumbs up from someone as well read, astute, articulate and clearly intelligent as Todd Palin is CLEARLY the person for the job.
Talk about the penultimate 'Who cares?' moment. Of course, the ultimate and definitive word will be bestowed by HRH herself, once she figures out how to spell their name.
If I'd were Newt, I'd be embarrased to make such an announcement... I'd just keep that on the down low.
Very smart of CNN to post this article. They knew people were going to click this one just to sound-off on how ridiculous this endorsement is!
And Todd matters why? Maybe it's his relationship with Joe the plumber. Come on CNN!
Who cares? Haha. Todd is not a politician. Why doesn't the wife of Ed Rendell (former Gov of PA) make an endorsement??? That would be the same idea...
Todd who?
Now i know that Newt will not win. Palin is just plain stupid
Newt put out a press release on this. Note: His staff is hyping this irrelevant endorsement!! Just let it pass in the night, Newt. His lack of silence on this useless endorsement smacks of total desperation. So sad.
WOW...The queen of sleaze's husband announces support for the king of sleaze. I bet they're both promoting a new book or something.....
It's adorable that the Palins think they're still a thing in the political circles.
Do you people really think the public cares about this? CNN sometimes you are just as bad as Faux News.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha reps make me laugh!
I miss Sarah and family. Haven't heard any real funny jokes on Leno lately.
I'm absolutely positive my Labrador retriever just endorsed one of the GOP candidates. He was trying to pass a T Bone that was breach. Between the howling and yipping it sounded like Santorum. Now this is a dogfight between credible endorsers and credible candidates.
I would not have know how to cast my vote were it not for this late breaking endorsement.
And this is real NEWS??? And in CNN's view, BIG news??? Long GONE are the days of real news...
Who is Levi endorsing?
Because the recipient of that endorsement will be the next Leader of the Free World.
Wow, that's almost as good as the coveted Elmer Fudd endorsement. Almost.