As Newt Gingrich heads into Tuesday's southern primaries, Managing Editor for The Hill Bob Cusack said rumors of a Gingrich ticket with Rick Perry could help the waning GOP candidate stay on the radar screens of conservative voters.
"I just think Newt Gingrich is in a fight to stay relevant," Cusack said on Fox News Monday morning. "He's got to win Mississippi and Alabama, I think ... but this kind of speculation keeps him in the news and generates some buzz and I think that's good for Newt Gingrich."
Rumors of a Gingrich-Perry ticket were squashed by both camps Monday as Gingrich continues to fight for the southern vote among calls for him to concede the race.
“Gov. Perry thinks Newt Gingrich is the strongest conservative to debate and defeat President Obama and truly overhaul Washington,” said Catherine Frazier, a spokeswoman for the Texas governor, in a statement. “The speculation is humbling but premature."
In an interview Sunday with CBS, Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond also called the speculation “premature,” and said discussions like that would be more appropriate for “later in the process.”
But some outside the Gingrich camp see these speculations as a way for Gingrich to stay in the game. The former Speaker of the House needs to win at least one of Tuesday's contests to continue forward.
"I'm surprised more candidates don't do this because it creates some buzz — that's what New Gingrich has to do," Cusack said. "Does this help him tremendously? No. But Newt Gingrich needs to stay in the news and this is a little bit of a good move."
Editor's note: In the video, Cusack states that the Texas primary will take place in April; due to redistricting in the state, the primary has been moved to May 29.
