Gingrich set to face critical test in SC primary

[January 21, 2012]  CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- For Newt Gingrich it all comes down to South Carolina voters.

After disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, the former House speaker hit his stride in the days before the nation's first Southern primary, rising in the polls as he has rallied conservatives behind him as the most viable alternative to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Fueled by fiery debate performances and assisted in part by his Southern roots, the former Georgia congressman is counting on a strong performance Saturday in South Carolina's GOP primary to catapult him back into the top tier of White House hopefuls.

Gingrich has campaigned around South Carolina promoting himself as the Reagan conservative in contrast to Romney's Massachusetts moderate.

Gingrich is set to dash through five campaign stops Saturday as voters go to the polls, including one morning event at a Greenville ham house where Romney is set to appear at the same time -- highlighting their rivalry.

"We're happy to have Gov. Romney join us at our event," Gingrich spokesman Nathan Naidu said.

[Associated Press; By SHANNON McCAFFREY]

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