NEWT HQ, ORLANDO — Newt Gingrich pretty much conceded the night before it started, putting up a sign reading “46 States To Go” a half-hour at least before the polls closed. Now, with the Florida primary called for Mitt Romney, it’s time to look ahead.
I spoke to Tony and Deanna Ortner, a father-daughter team of Newt supporters. They hope their guy stays in (“even if it’s just Newt and a suitcase,” Deanna said) and are convinced he can make his stand when the primaries reach the South. Of course, one of the southern states — Virginia — can’t go for Gingrich because he’s not on the ballot.
The Ortners have a solution to that problem: Gingrich needs to make a pact with Rick Santorum to urge their voters to vote for Ron Paul in Virginia, denying Romney a win.
“We need to prevent this from becoming a Mitt coronation,” Deanna said.
Asked about tonight’s results, the pair (both from Orlando) said there’s only one thing Gingrich could have done to prevent defeat: “Spend more money.”
