AMES, Iowa -- As he struggles to eke out a top-three end in Tuesday's Iowa caucus, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich launched one in all his harshest attacks nevertheless on front-runner Mitt Romney, saying the previous Massachusetts governor would "buy an election if he may."
As he was leaving a campaign event, the previous House speaker was asked by journalists a few report that he, earlier within the day, had accused Romney of making an attempt to shop for votes. Gingrich replied, "No, I did not say he was. I said he would if he may. ... He would get an election if he may."
Gingrich said he was concerning the negative ads that a PAC backing Romney is running against him in Iowa, and said that the ad buys may total $3.5 million. Gingrich's comments came as he and his wife, Callista, left the West Towne Pub en route to his next campaign event.
Romney was asked for his response by a National Journal/CBS reporter traveling together with his campaign. He failed to address the ads, however noted that Gingrich has raised plenty of cash as a candidate. "He anounced that he raised ten million this quarter, and he need to be pleased with that. ... this is often an election, however, that is not being driven by cash raised. It's being driven by message reference to the voters, dialogue and knowledge."
Gingrich has vowed to remain "positive" in his quest for the GOP nomination, however has been increasingly on the attack against Romney as his poll numbers have declined, mainly in response to the barrage of negative ads purchased by teams supporting Romney, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas and different of his rivals. an excellent PAC calling itself Restore Our Future and run by former Romney aides has spent nearly $3 million on ads in Iowa.
Accusing Romney of making an attempt to "buy votes" serves Gingrich's purpose of portraying his rival as an elitist, calling attention to his background as a wealthy former investment banker at Bain Capital. however it comes with some risk for the previous lawmaker, who himself created millions once leaving Congress by trading on his influence in Republican political circles in Washington.
Sarah B. Boxer contributed to the present story.
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