Gingrich Dealt Himself Back in the Game with Some of the Newt Magic

Gingrich back on his game

By: Ginger Gibson, Politico
February 23, 2012 12:30 AM EST

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Newt Gingrich didn’t have a game-changing moment in Wednesday night’s Arizona debate.

But the former House speaker’s newest approach to the Republican presidential race — staying above the fray, avoiding attacks and focusing on the issues — proved to be a winner for him anyway.

“Newt’s last two outings were disjointed and low-energy,” said Rick Wilson, a GOP strategist who is unaligned in the presidential race. “Tonight was markedly better.”

But Gingrich had more ground to make up than the other candidates in Wednesday’s debate. More than his GOP rivals, Gingrich has used his debate performances — often marked by scathing attacks on the media — as a springboard for jump-starting his erratic campaign. Many attributed Gingrich’s sole win this primary season in South Carolina to a confident performance in a pre-primary debate.