Gingrich super-PAC spokesman says Santorum could have won 'if he could speak English'

The spokesman for the super-PAC backing Newt Gingrich's presidential aspirations jabbed Rick Santorum after his disappointing, albeit close, loss in the Michigan primary, saying Wednesday that the former senator could have won "if he could speak English."

Rick Tyler, Gingrich's former campaign spokesman who now advises the Winning Our Future Super PAC, argued that a series of gaffes and stumbles by Santorum in recent days prevented the former senator from taking advantage of Mitt Romney's vulnerability.

“Rick Santorum failed to win, but Mitt Romney failed to inspire,” Tyler said on MSNBC. “Rick Santorum might win if he could speak English.”

Tyler said Santorum's failure to capitalize provided Gingrich a chance for another comeback in what has been a tumultuous GOP primary. Tyler's remarks were first reported by the National Journal.

Santorum had been riding high after a trio of wins in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado. But a series of controversial statements — calling President Obama a "snob" for encouraging Americans seek higher education, a series of remarks concerning contraception, a statement about the president's "phony theology" — coupled with a poor debate performance ultimately derailed Santorum's efforts in Michigan.

Gingrich is hoping that a win in Georgia, which has the most delegates up for grabs in next Tuesday's voting, can propel him back into the lead as the conservative alternative to Romney.

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