DES MOINES, Iowa – Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wept Friday as he recalled his late mother’s end-of-life illnesses, a moment of poignancy in a notably negative Republican presidential Iowa caucus campaign with four unpredictable days yet to run.
“I do policy much easier than I do personal,” Gingrich told an audience of women as he tried to regain his composure. The tears flowed as the former speaker was responding to questions about his mother from a pollster and longtime political ally.
Gingrich’s emotional moment came as his rivals engaged in traditional campaign tactics, and as polls suggested large numbers of Iowa Republicans could change their minds before caucuses Tuesday night provide the first test of the 2012 campaign.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney sought to marginalize his closest pursuer in most polls, saying, “I don’t think Ron Paul represents the mainstream of Republican thought with regards to issues, particularly in foreign policy.”
Paul
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