Newt to crowd at Tommy’s: ‘Where’s Mitt?’

Marion Square Park in Charleston, S.C. (Photo by Kay B. Day)

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich was supposed to meet up with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney at Tommy’s Ham House in Greenville on Saturday morning. According to various accounts, Romney arrived early.

Fox News said Romney stayed about 15 minutes and the tone of his remarks seemed to “signal preparedness for defeat.”

Gingrich showed up—Fox said the crowd was very large for both candidates—and asked, “Where’s Mitt?”

Fox also said approximately half a million people are expected to vote.

Michael Reagan, son of President Ronald Reagan, appeared on Fox and talked with Neil Cavuto about the primary and the race in general.

Reagan pointed out there’s a divide within the Republican Party between the ‘Bushites’ [going for Romney] and the ‘Reaganites’ [going for Gingrich].

Reagan also pointed out he was unhappy with Romney’s debate performance—he said it “made me uncomfortable…”

Reagan said Romney’s taxes are an issue, not because of how much money the governor may have made, but because he still doesn’t have an answer about it.

Reagan said, “Gingrich had his ‘I paid for this microphone’ moment with John King.”

King opened Thursday night’s debate with a question about ABC airing an interview with Gingrich’s ex-wife the night of the debate. There was nothing new in the interview—the woman had already provided a full confessional  to a print publication in 2010. Gingrich and his ex-wife parted ways more than a decade ago.

As soon as I heard ABC was going to do the interview, I knew it would backfire. Conservatives really don’t like ad hominem attacks, especially if they’re based on old news that has nothing to do with the problems facing our country today.

Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) sounded a note of caution during an interview with Cavuto.

Cavuto asked Clyburn what candidates Democrats would prefer to run against—who would be easier to beat?

Clyburn said this race won’t be easy for Democrats or Republicans, and he tossed in a bit of ideology too. He said Romney has a tax return issue and it was important for the governor to keep up the tradition of releasing returns started by his father. That way, people could see “whether you’re being fair with your contributions.”

Taxes as contributions—a premise only a Democrat can love.

Polls close at 7 p.m. ET in the Palmetto State.

The major daily, The State newspaper, said early turnout is strong.

Sources in SC told The US Report the weather upstate is gray, with a drizzle.

(Commentary by Kay B. Day/Jan. 21, 2012)