Video of Newt at Columbia Tea Party Tuesday

First, some good news about Newt's efforts in South Carolina. From this story:

[Gingrich] said he plans to hire staff and open an S.C. office later this month. And he said he has local connections to most S.C. voters.

His father spent 27 years in the military, which Gingrich says can win over “all the retired military and retired veterans along the coast.”

A daughter attended Presbyterian College in Laurens County.

And, lastly, “My son-in-law’s father was Strom Thurmond’s first chief of staff in Washington,” giving Gingrich a connection to the Palmetto State’s political icon.

“We have ties,” he said. “I think the core issues we’re campaigning on really are responsive to the people of South Carolina.”

Second, here is one picture of the event from Jacob Hawkins (jph08 on Twitter):

And now to the video:

Part 1.



Part 2.



Part 3.

Newt was in Columbia, South Carolina, visited a Chick-fil-A

AP reports:

Gingrich spoke to the Renewal Project gathering in Columbia on Tuesday. It's an invitation-only event that had fellow GOP hopeful Michele Bachmann as a speaker on Monday night.

Gingrich said the gatherings are about helping ministers have a better understanding of their role as citizens and the historic contexts of religion and politics. He said it helps them understand what they're up against

The former U.S. House speaker then spent time at a Columbia Chick-fil-A restaurant talking with diners, autographing cups and standing for snapshots.

Gingrich said he had private meetings planned for the rest of the day before heading to Virginia.