Newt Gingrich maintains campaign despite departure of top aides

Published on Friday 10 June 2011 15:56

Former United States House speaker Newt Gingrich has seen the wheels fall off his presidential campaign, with his upper echelon of aides quitting.

Nearly two dozen staffers participated in the exodus, provoked in part by the right-winger's decision to go on a two-week cruise of the Greek isles rather than drum up support in the US.

The exit of senior strategists and advisers has left Mr Gingrich's bid to win the Republican nod for next year's White House election in tatters. The campaign had already been hit by a series of gaffes and the disclosure of the politican's $500,000 credit account with upmarket jeweller Tiffany's.

Senior aides of the 67-year-old politician jumped ship on Thursday citing "incompatible" differences over the direction of the campaign.

Amongst those heading for the exits were Mr Gingrich's spokesman Rick Tyler and campaign manager Rob Johnson.

Mr Tyler said: "We had a different vision for victory. And since we couldn't resolve that difference, I didn't feel I could be useful in serving him."

Other departures included that of senior aides in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina - crucial states in the race to become the Republican presidential candidate.

Despite the setback, Mr Gingrich declared his intention to continue with his push towards the White House.

He announced on his Facebook page: "I am committed to running the substantive, solutions-oriented campaign I set out to run earlier this spring."

It is believed that the source of conflict between Mr Gingrich and his advisers centered on his perceived lack of commitment.

While rivals were campaigning hard on the ground, Mr Gingrich opted to embark on a Greek islands cruise with his third wife Callista.

Senior members of his campaign team confronted Mr Gingrich during a conference call earlier this week.

The politician was in New Hampshire promoting a documentary on Pope John Paul II he had made with his wife.

The implosion of Mr Gingrich's campaign could leave the door open for other right-wingers to enter the race.

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin is thought to be toying with the idea of running for president. In contrast to Mr Gingrich's low-profile campaign, the former vice-presidential candidate has been touring the east coast in a patriotically decorated bus.

Confronted with a lack-lustre list of nominees, some Republican voters are hoping for a white knight candidate to enter the race.

Texas governor Rick Perry is being eyed by many as a potential runner.