Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich offered up a fiery critique of President Obama in Iowa Monday night, urging Republicans to unite in 2012 to defeat the values of the "secular, socialist left."  

Gingrich was one of five potential presidential candidates to speak Monday at a gathering hosted by the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition. It was billed by organizers as the unofficial launch to the 2012 race for the Republican nomination.  

Despite the absence of a number of top tier Republicans, including former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the event marked the first time this many rumored GOP hopefuls shared the same stage, which translated into an extraordinary level of attention as rumored contenders made an early case to potential Iowa caucus-goers.

"We are at a crossroads that we cannot hide from," Gingrich said, calling the 2012 presidential election as central to the future of America as the election won by Abraham Lincoln in 1860.  

Former Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.) officially launched her Senate campaign Monday with the endorsement of former Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), the Republican whose seat she sought after his retirement back in 2008. 

After losing out to Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.) in a Republican primary three years ago, Wilson is waging another campaign in 2012, this time for the seat of retiring Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.). 

In her Monday rollout, Wilson touted the endorsements of Domenici and dozens of other local GOP leaders from across the state.

"I have worked more closely with Heather Wilson than any other House member during my career in the Senate," Domenici said in endorsing Wilson. "Our nation faces some serious challenges -- a debt that is unsustainable, an economy that isn't creating enough jobs and instability in hot spots around the globe. We need her experience in the Senate to work for New Mexico."

So far, Wilson is the only big name Republican to jump in the race, but that's likely to change. Pearce hasn't ruled out another run and Lt. Gov. John Sanchez (R) is weighing a bid, as well. 

While early polling shows Wilson ahead of Pearce in a potential Republican primary rematch, even if he opts not to run again, Wilson is sure to face a primary challenge from the right.  

Nationally, conservatives are already urging a challenge to the centrist Republican. Last week, conservative blogger Erick Erickson tweeted that keeping Wilson out of the Senate "will be the next great noble cause for conservatives."

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), the chairman of the House Budget Committee, would be the top pick of Republicans in Wisconsin for president in 2012 if he opted for a campaign.

New numbers from Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling (PPP) show Ryan would lead the Republican field in the state with 30 percent of Wisconsin Republicans in support of a Ryan presidential bid.  

He's followed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee with 17 percent, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 12 percent, and former Govs. Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin at 9 percent. 

Despite the numbers, Ryan has shown next to no interest in a 2012 presidential bid and isn't expected to throw his hat into the ring next year. 

He's been mentioned as a potential challenger to Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.) next year, as well, and while a Senate race is more likely, few observers expect Ryan to sacrifice his budget chairmanship for a campaign. 

Still, pollster Tom Jensen says Ryan's solid numbers in his home state are worth noting given that he performs better than most of the leading rumored GOP presidential hopefuls do in their home states. 

Aside from Romney, who PPP found with solid support among Republican voters in Massachusetts, Palin, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.) can't boast great numbers among Republicans in their home states. 

Without Ryan in the mix, Wisconsin Republicans give the edge to Huckabee, who leads with 23 percent of the vote. He's followed by Gingrich and Palin, who each garner 15 percent. Romney takes 12 percent, while Pawlenty follows with 10 percent of the vote. 

Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki (R) said he will consider in "the coming days" whether to run for the seat being vacated by Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.).

Ensign announced Monday he wouldn't seek a third term. The GOP primary for the open seat is expected to be highly competitive, with Rep. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), former Senate candidate Sharron Angle and others mulling runs.

Krolicki was considered a contender for the nomination to face Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) last cycle but decided against a bid. At the time, observers thought that was because he considered a challenge to Ensign to be more likely to succeed.

On Monday, Krolicki called Ensign "a respected conservative voice."

"Today is a day when all Nevadans should be grateful to Senator Ensign for his consistent and conservative votes in the United States Senate and thankful for his willingness to serve our state and our country," he said in a statement.

The release noted that "he and his family will consider opportunities to best serve the people of Nevada" in the coming days.

Sen. Ensign (R-Nev.) made the announcement Monday afternoon in a move that should help the GOP keep his seat.

Republican challengers to Obama must balance conservative demands to slash subsidies with the popularity of price supports in Iowa.

The New Hampshire GOP continues to attract national Republicans to help fill its campaign coffers ahead of the 2012 campaign cycle. Texas Rep. Ron Paul (R) was the latest name announced Monday. He'll be at the Hellenic Center in Dover for a "VIP" fundraiser in March.

"I am very pleased to have an opportunity to help Chairman Kimball and the New Hampshire GOP fund their fight for liberty and a return to constitutional government," Paul said in a statement released by the state party.

The March 25 event will benefit the state party, the Dover Republican Committee and the Strafford Country Republican Committee.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) will also be in New Hampshire in March for fundraisers.

Much of the likely Republican presidential field will be at a suburban Des Moines megachurch Monday night to court a large gathering of social conservatives.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.), former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.) and former Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.) are the top contenders on the program at the event hosted by the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition.

"It's not a debate; it's not a straw poll. We didn't want to do anything to scare them off," said Steve Scheffler, who heads the group formerly known as the Iowa Christian Alliance.

Despite the inviting nature of the forum, former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.) and former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.), the top-two finishers in the 2008 caucuses, weren't able to attend.

Businessman Herman Cain and former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer are the likely candidates rounding out the program.

In addition to having 10 minutes to endear themselves to the socially conservative audience, the potential candidates also have the chance to mingle with Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) and activist Ralph Reed.

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) was also invited, but couldn't make it because of a "scheduling conflict," Scheffler said. "We expect her to participate in our events down the road."

Organizers are expecting a "capacity crowd" of up to 800 for the event at Point of Grace Church in Waukee, Iowa.

—Updated at 12:21 p.m.

Lee's backing of Republican Ted Cruz, who faces a crowded primary, could help Cruz with Tea Party activists.