Sustaining momentum will be tough for Gingrich

Newt Gingrich scored a remarkable come from behind victory in the South Carolina Republican primary, delaying — temporarily at least — the Mitt Romney juggernaut.
Gingrich capitalized on Romney’s stumbles, including his inability to defend his status as a wealthy capitalist. But it was Gingrich’s own skill at turning a negative into a positive that explains his surge to a win that was unexpected just a week ago.
Gingrich’s was rewarded big for his tongue lashing of CNN’s John King, who during last week’s debate asked the former House speaker about his ex-wife’s claim that Gingrich had demanded an open marriage.
South Carolina voters recognized a cheap shot when they saw one, and rallied to Gingrich.
But sustaining the moment will be a challenge.
The campaign now heads to Florida on Jan. 31, where Romney has been the only candidate to spend significant money — $3 million in a recent television buy — and build a deep organization.
Romney will be tough to beat in Florida if he regroups, releases his tax returns and keeps battering Gingrich on the Congressional ethics censure he received 10 years ago.
A win in Florida for Romney sends the candidates first to Nevada, where Romney is strong, h  in early February, and then to Maine, Colorado and Missouri, which will likely split, and then to Michigan and Arizona, both on Feb. 28 and both solidly Romney.
Then the race switches from state-by-state voting to a series of cluster elections, starting with Super Tuesday on March 6.
Candidates will have to have broad, sophisticated organizations and lots of money to compete in several states at once. Right now, Romney’s the only one with both.
Of course, If Gingrich follows up his South Carolina win with an upset in Florida, the whole scenario changes.
MICHIGAN MEMORIES: Gingrich isn’t the first candidate to turn a media attack to his advantage.
In 1976, Michigan Republican Congressman Marvin Esch was cruising to what seemed to be an easy victory over Democrat Don Reigle in the U.S. Senate race.
But just days before the election, The Detroit News received tapes recorded by a woman who was sexually involved with Reigle. The tapes recorded their intimate activity, including Reigle’s request that she “call me Prince” in bed.
Salacious stuff. But voters thought it was over the top. That was back when a candidate’s personal life was still personal.
They gave Reigle a huge sympathy vote, and he ended up winning by six points.