Gingrich bypasses Kansas to focus on Alabama, Mississippi
Montgomery, Alabama (CNN) – Following the Super Tuesday results, Newt Gingrich cancelled a visit to Kansas later this week to instead focus on two must-win southern states.
Less than 24 hours prior the campaign was touting a two-day trip to Kansas in the lead-up to Saturday's caucus. The press release even included a quote from State Director Mike Pirner that said Gingrich is "taking Kansas very seriously and this aggressive schedule is a demonstration of that."
- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
- Follow Shawna Shepherd on Twitter: @ShepherdCNN
Gingrich claimed a decisive victory in Georgia Tuesday night but watched as Rick Santorum claimed the first spot in three states and Mitt Romney six. The campaign reassessed their strategy overnight.
Shortly before Gingrich's first rally in Alabama Wednesday, spokesman R.C. Hammond held a gaggle with reporters and said, "Cancel your trip to Kansas gang, you're going to stay here."
The campaign decided to skip the Kansas caucus and focus on upcoming primaries in Alabama and Mississippi where they believe Gingrich has a greater chance of winning.
It might be the end of his presidential run if he loses next Tuesday. A reporter asked Hammond, "You have to win both Alabama and Mississippi to remain credible?" Succinctly he replied, "Yes."
Hammond dismissed the notion that the sudden shift in strategy suggested the Gingrich camp was more concerned about their prospects in the two southern states.
"I would look at it more as a switch in tactics. You still see us communicate with voters in Kansas, just our candidate's schedule is going to be here," Hammond said in Montgomery. "We'll still allocate resources that the campaign has into Kansas.".
"We do not have large amounts of money to throw on television, so if you look at where our strengths are as a campaign this is where our better opportunity is," he said.
Hammond added, "A big win in Georgia kept us in the race. Big wins in Alabama and Mississippi will add even more fuel to the tank."
Tuesday night after Gingrich's victory speech, former staffer Rick Tyler predicted the former speaker will win Alabama and Mississippi but was less confident about Kansas. "We'll see," he said.
Winning our Future, the super PAC supporting Gingrich's candidacy where Tyler serves as senior adviser, is still running ads there going after Mitt Romney. (Include link to yesterday's story)
"We're in Kansas now, we've been in Kansas for over a week," Tyler said in Atlanta. "We're focused on those next three states. I think we'll just take it one step at a time from here on out."
Also see:
'Joe the Plumber' wins GOP primary in Ohio
From CNN Politics
- Intelligence community's top election official: China and Iran don't want Trump to win reelection, Russia working against Biden August 7, 2020 08:04 pm
- Trump continues his norm-breaking by campaigning from the White House August 7, 2020 08:33 pm
- White House rejects Democrats' offer for $2 trillion stimulus price tag August 7, 2020 07:10 pm
- 'They're not even trying to hide the racism': Wisconsin Democrats blast GOP efforts to aid Kanye West's candidacy August 7, 2020 05:34 pm
- Karen Bass faces searing scrutiny as she emerges as potential Biden VP pick August 7, 2020 05:47 pm
- Judge rules E. Jean Carroll can continue to seek Trump's DNA in defamation suit August 7, 2020 07:09 pm
Newt Drop out
Newt, your moon colony, along with being a secular McCarthyist Bircher who has anger issues for having to sit in the back of air force one are reasons to go back to ole Virginny. It was fun, but you should give your sugar daddy, Adelson, a break, as he will need those millions to support Mittens.
Sure, Newt, only campaign in confederate states. Avoid Kansas because of those activists like John Brown.
That is not very bright.
He should put what energy he has left into golf lessons,he could talk about Moon Colonies to his buddies for 18 holes..
I take that back, he probably couldn’t walk for 9 holes.....
The guy lost 52% of his own state. How can he win a general election???
Now where are all of those folks who keep posting remarks suggesting Newt Gingrich is not smart. The man isn't stupid. He knows that if it doesn't sweep Alabama and MIssissippi, his campaign is done for. It won't matter if he wins Kansas, or loses the state. His peach cobbler is done if he lets Santorum win either state, much less both of them.
I can't belief, in the life of me, that Newt still think he will be a nominee.
I think, Once a Lizard, always a Lizard.
Newt, Newt, Newt... if you're not ready or capable of sustaining a NATIONAL campaign at this point, you need to get out of the race. It isn't happening and you need to accept reality. Yes, you're a great debater, but you need much more than that and you simply don't have it. PLEASE drop out.
Newt – please, please bypass Texas.
Please, Please you are just too much of a meany, "Mr. Cheerful" drop out and quit lying on our President.
Newt, Newt, Newt... do not quit. Go on to the convention. Yes, you're a great debater and will be needed at the convention. You are fully capable of sustaining a NATIONAL campaign at this point.
You can deliver several key speeches at the convention and then when they tell you it is not you revert to the vile p!g you are, call everyone names and go off on the uber-dollarzen speaking progrom of the obersaltzen.
stay in the race newt us democrates love it. What a bunch of clowns Obama /Biden 2012
Obama/Biden 2012
I think the President is doing pretty good too; he has got my vote here in Arizona.
{{cue the Platters}}.......Only New-w-w-w-w-w-t ...can make your dreams come true.....
M-y-y-y one...my one and only New-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-t!
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi–can anyone see a pattern here? Mr. New "moon-colony" Gingrich, you are running for the President of the United States–not just the confederacy!
Makes sense; the South does have some of the best golf courses in the country. Maybe he just wants to improve his game using the guise of 'campaigning'?