Gingrich on verge of campaign reassessment
New York, New York (CNN) – Newt Gingrich is preparing Tuesday night to reassess his presidential prospects and that includes considering suspending his campaign, CNN has learned.
The Gingrich campaign has come up with a few "what-if" scenarios based on the outcome of Delaware's primary, one of five states holding contests Tuesday.
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According to campaign spokesperson R.C. Hammond, options include the unlikely "break-in-the-dam scenario," in which the former House speaker pulls off an upset and defeats presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney in Delaware.
Gingrich trails far behind Mitt Romney in the race, with 141 delegates to Romney's 695 delegates, according to a CNN estimate. Although he has only won primaries in South Carolina and Georgia, Hammond said a Delaware win for Gingrich, "changes the narrative that Romney has wrapped up the nomination."
On Monday the former House speaker acknowledged he would reconsider his White House bid following the results of this week's slate of primaries, particularly Delaware where he has made frequent campaign stops in recent weeks, telling NBC News, "I think we would need to take a deep look at what we are doing."
What appears to be Gingrich's more realistic and likely scenario involves getting "their butts kicked in Delaware," according to the campaign's press secretary. If that happens, Hammond said Gingrich will begin "reassessing his campaign." He told CNN the former speaker will continue to campaign in North Carolina and talk to supporters and donors there and nationwide.
In the coming days Gingrich will "assess whether or not there is a path forward." Hammond said the path forward, which includes the possibility of suspending his presidential campaign, could occur "in a few days."
Gingrich is realistic about where his campaign is right now, according to Hammond, who added the former speaker doesn't believe staying in the race is damaging the party. He also added his candidate's motivation is "nothing personal against Romney."
If there's any bright light for the cash-strapped Gingrich campaign, it is the fact that the super PAC supporting his candidacy, Winning Our Future, has indicated they have more money to spend on advertising to help Gingrich continue competing in North Carolina, the next primary contest hurdle.
After North Carolina, Gingrich could do well in states like Kentucky and West Virginia. Hammond was realistic their prospects hinged on how much Winning Our Future weighed in, adding that Gingrich could do well in those states "with the right television backing."
- CNN's Ashley Killough contributed to this report.
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he is one hard headed fool, give it up already!
Ah, come on Newt. Don't you want to rack up another $3 million dollars in private jet fees. What a self-consumed, self-important blowhard.
No offense, but that would be best for the GOP. Gingrich has no chance of winning at all.
Is this guy still around. Sometimes no matter what you do, you just can't get the stink out!
This guy is so egotistical he's lost touch with reality. The water is already around his neck on his sinking ship of a campaign and he wants to reassess? Too funny...
After my meeting with Mitt & him paying off my bounced check in Utah, I have concluded that I will support whole heartly Team MORMON / JACK MORMON. I wish to be in the cabinet of The Bishop & RUBES!!!!!!!!!
I'm almost 65 years old and about 5'10" tall. I'm thinking about giving up my future plans for an NBA career as a center. I'll just stick with point guard...
Ho Hum. Newt played you for a fool AGAIN CNN. He likes the free press he gets every time he says this.
You think the Gingrich's are going to give up their free room, board, transportation book tour? You're silly. Save the U.S.? HA! Save Newt - that's all he's ever been about (wish we could bill him for $44,000 per day for security - I'm sure some of our homeless vets could live an entire year on that).
His pedantic and pontificating proclivity is profusely purulent.
Just looking at this fat bloated pig makes me want to lose my lunch.
Me, too Boo.
You have to feel sorry for Newt.
Well, no, on second thought, you don't.
I pity the fool!
Are Taxpayers paying for his Secret Service? If so, shame on Newt for milking the taxpapers out of thousands of dollars...and for WHAT?????
"reassessment"? He should have quit, no, actually he should have never even started.
Gingrich is on the verge of receiving a payoff from Romney.
That's all he's been waiting for.
As long as there is another book to be sold and a way to improve his chances of getting a talking head spot on Fox The Newtster will be a candidate and continue to waste our tax dollars on a secret service detail.