Gingrich breaks from campaign trail to attend Kennedy Center Honors

Newt Gingrich took a break from the campaign trail Sunday night to attend the annual Kennedy Center Honors awards.

"No politics tonight," he said repeatedly when asked about the presidential race.

The former Speaker, who's leading in the polls for the Republican nomination, was at the event with no visible entourage. He and wife Callista walked the red carpet without a handler and sat quietly together in the orchestra section of the Opera House, one level down from the presidential box.

On the red carpet, he let Callista do most of the talking. She spoke about her love of music, adding that they were most excited to see cellist Yo-Yo Ma and actress Meryl Streep, who were being honored that evening.

"We love her work," Callista Gingrich said. "We love ‘Mamma Mia.’ We’ve seen it several times. Newt’s ringtone is ‘Dancing Queen.’ We’re big fans."

She, too, declined to discuss anything political. Wearing a black gown and a diamond necklace, she wouldn't say if the jewelry came from Tiffany & Co., where the couple reportedly has an account.

Asked who made it, she would only say: “A very talented jeweler.”

The annual Kennedy Center Honors is one of the biggest gala performances in Washington. Every year, five artists from the performing arts are honored with a show that airs later in the month on CBS. The event draws several celebrities and politicians from both parties. President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama also attended.

Even with the political-heavy crowd, Gingrich wouldn't be drawn into a discussion on the presidential campaign. Asked later in the evening about a report that rival Herman Cain — who suspended his campaign Saturday — would endorse him on Monday, Gingrich declined to comment.

Instead, he talked about the performance, saying how much he enjoyed Stephen Colbert's introduction of Yo-Yo Ma.

Asked if the comedian had invited him to appear on his show "The Colbert Report" report, Gingrich said: "No, but he will."

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