Gingrich Claims Victory in S.C. Primary

By Jon E. Dougherty at 22 Jan 2012

(Newsroom America) -- Newt Gingrich defeated Mitt Romney Saturday in the South Carolina GOP primary, leading the former House speaker to look ahead to Florida, where he vowed to deliver a "knockout punch."

According to the results, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum will place third and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas will garner fourth place.

Gingrich, who put in a strong debate performance two days before the primary, won over evangelicals as well on his way to a rout of Romney, the former Massachussetts governor who had been the party's frontrunner.

"It's not that I am a good debater," Gingrich said in a post-primary victory speech with his family. "It's that I articulate the deepest-felt values of the American people."

In his concession speech, Romney congratulated Gingrich but not without landing a few more jabs of his own.

"When my opponents attack success and free enterprise they are not only attacking me, they are attacking every person who dreams of a better person. He's attacking you. I will support you I will help you have a better future," Romney said, giving hints of his campaign strategy heading into Florida.

Part of Gingrich's strategy has been to criticize Romney over his involvement with Bain Capital, an investment firm the former House speaker says was responsible for the loss of jobs during Romney's tenure, a charge he has denied.

"The Republican Party doesn't demonize prosperity. We celebrate success in our party," he said. "And let me be clear, if Republican leaders want to join this president in demonizing success and disparaging conservative values, then they're not going to be fit to be our nominee."

Gingrich trailed Romney by double digits just a few days before the primary, but he put in a strong debate performance Thursday, leading off with sharp criticism of the media for airing and perpetuating comments by his ex-wife, Marianne, who claimed Gingrich asked her for an "open marriage."

Exit polls showed voters preferred Gingrich over Romney 44-22 percent.

The defeat in South Carolina marks the second one in a week for Romney, after Santorum was officially declared the winner of the Iowa caucus.

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