Newt Gingrich wins S.C. primary

Newt Gingrich completed a stunning political comeback by winning a do-or-die South Carolina primary Saturday - thrusting the Republican presidential nomination race into turmoil.

Gingrich, who trailed by double digits in South Carolina polls less than seven days ago, roared past frontrunner Mitt Romney to claim victory in the Palmetto State to propel the wild GOP derby into the Florida primary next week — and beyond.

The former House Speaker, whose campaign was all but given up for dead after disappointing fourth-place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, had enough of a lead in the early going for ABC, NBC and Fox News to call it soon after polls closed at 7 p.m.

Romney was in second, while Rick Santorum and Ron Paul were battling far behind for third.

South Carolina could have been a coronation for Romney, who would have all but locked up the GOP nomination with a win.

But the bitter defeat capped of a brutal week for the former frontrunner, whose Iowa caucus victory disappeared days ago in a recount, and who now heads to the Sunshine State bloodied and battered - with questions swirling about whether he can ever truly win over the right-wing core of his party.

His conservative rivals had vowed to go down fighting in South Carolina, and while the Republican Civil War claimed the candidacy of Rick Perry, Gingrich emerged with a renewed chance at the nomination.

Gingrich surged back to life after a few strong debate performances - and his aggressive denial of his ex-wife's claims that the Speaker wanted an open marriage.

He also may have been the recipient of some sympathy votes after a pair of fake emails - the latest episode in South Carolina's long history of dirty politics - circulated Friday claiming that Gingrich pressured his former spouse into an abortion.

The former Speaker cackled earlier Saturday when Romney ducked what could have been a bizarre meeting between the two rivals. The campaigns each scheduled an event for the same time at a Greenville ham house - but Romney blinked, showing up 45 minutes early and then departing before Gingrich arrived.

"Where's Mitt?" Gingrich asked, his tongue-in-cheek question drawing roars from his supporters gathered in the quaint restaurant.

"I thought we could have a little debate," said Gingrich, who then once again slammed Romney as a "Massachusetts Moderate" before wryly noting, "I don't think they even serve New England clam chowder here."

But Romney still boasts some significant advantages as the GOP race moves south to Florida, which votes on January 31.

He has been airing ads in Florida - which has far more expensive media markets then South Carolina - for weeks already and his well-oiled staff has been plugging away in the crucial state for months.

Sensing defeat in South Carolina in recent days, Romney's team started lowering expectations in the Palmetto State while also laying out their plan of attack against Gingrich going forward, which includes slams on the ex-Speaker's days as a lobbyist and his seemingly erratic character.

Gingrich, meanwhile, does not nearly possess the organization or cash of his well-heeled rival - but does stand to gain momentum from his shocking South Carolina victory.

He could also benefit if one of the other candidates - particularly Santorum, who also appeals to the GOP's conservative elements - drops out, but neither the former Pennsylvania senator or Paul indicated they were ready to abandon their White House bids.

Gingrich's victory means that for the first time in the mode primary season, three different candidates captured Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Despite toado waings and heavy rains, tuout appeared high in the Palmetto State, a state rife with Evangelicals that is far more conservative than Iowa or New Hampshire.

The electoral breakdown is far more diverse in Florida - where all four candidates are expected to debate again Monday night.