Cain to Endorse Gingrich

But can soaring Newt beat Mitt Romney's ground game?
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 5, 2011 6:48 AM CST
Updated Dec 5, 2011 7:57 AM CST
Herman Cain to Endorse Newt Gingrich
Republican presidential candidate and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Newt Gingrich’s rise from the ashes continues: Just after suspending his own campaign, Herman Cain is set to endorse Gingrich today, My Fox Atlanta reports. A press conference is scheduled for 2pm. While the expected move could be another boon for the former speaker, he faces a big challenge from Mitt Romney on the ground, the New York Times reports. Romney has been building his operation in key states all year, but Gingrich is just getting to work, only now mobilizing volunteers in Illinois, Vermont, Virginia, and elsewhere. In Iowa, for example, “the reality is we’re flying by the seat of the pants,” says a Newt insider.

Gingrich is ill-prepared for the long battle that could result if neither frontrunner commands a quick victory in early voting, the Times notes. Such a scenario would make later primaries, like those of New Jersey and California in June, even more important—though such an extended contest would mean the ultimate nominee would have less time to focus on beating Obama. Gingrich's campaign has only just begun collecting signatures to get on later ballots, and he has already missed the filing deadline to be on Missouri’s slate. What’s more, Gingrich lacks the door-to-door effort Romney has drummed up in states like New Hampshire. But with money now pouring in at the Gingrich camp, things could turn around. (More Newt Gingrich stories.)

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