Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich took to the stage at the 2012 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday in Washington.
Gingrich is the third and final GOP candidate to address the thousands amassed for the annual gathering of conservative enthusiasts.
The former House Speaker, along with rivals Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney, aimed to coalesce support as they pitch their bids for the White House to the throngs of attendees at the conference.
Santorum drew wild applause and numerous standing ovations during his remarks Friday morning. The sweater-vest-clad firebrand attacked Romney without saying his name, warning of a “hollow victory in November” if Republicans choose a centrist.
The auditorium was also packed for Romney’s address, but the front-runner didn’t draw the same furor and passion from the crowd as his opponent did earlier in the day.
Romney earned polite applause as he tried to sell his conservative credentials to the crowd, who have shown skepticism about his record and expressed concern about his tenure as governor of Massachusetts.
Gingrich, took the stage around 4:10 p.m. and was introduced by his wife Callista Gingrich.
