THE race to become Republican candidate for US President was blown wide open
when Newt Gingrich beat hot favourite Mitt Romney in a crucial contest.
The veteran, hit last week by claims he told his ex-wife he wanted an open
marriage, won the South Carolina primary.
No Republican since 1980 has secured the party Presidential nomination without
taking the state.
The win for Newt, 68, also lifts his hopes in the next primary in Florida on
January 31.
The ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives had a swipe at
multi-millionaire Mr Romney in his victory speech.
Mr Gingrich said: “We don’t have the kind of money that at least one of the
candidates has. But we do have ideas.”
His hopes appeared to suffer when ex-wife Marianne claimed he wanted to see
other women while they were wed.
The more moderate Mr Romney, 64, was thought to have the nomination in the bag
until yesterday’s result.
Gingrich won 40 per cent of the vote, with Romney on 28. Rick Santorum, 53,
took 17 and Ron Paul, 76, polled 13.
Bookies last night cut odds on Mr Gingrich winning the right to face Barack
Obama in the November 6 election. Ladbrokes make him 11/10, with Mr Romney
4/6. The other two are both 33/1.
Analysts think a win for Right-winger Mr Gingrich may help Mr Obama.
The Republican winner will be nominated in August.