How Newt will structure his campaign

Newt's campaign will not re-hire the same kind of expensive consultants who, on top of their own salary, spent the campaign into debt. Instead, they will get a boost from what Jason Clayworth calls "professional volunteer[s]." Former U.S. Representative Greg Ganske of Iowa is the latest example. He will serve as the Iowa finance chair of Newt 2012.

A few quotes from Clayworth's article:

"Reviews are being made and it’s possible that paid Iowa campaign staff will be hired but the center of the team will focus largely upon volunteers, Hammond said."

"As a campaign we have a lot of confidence in people who voluntarily come forward," said spokesman R.C. Hammond. "It's empowering and tough to question the dedication of a volunteer who is coming forward and saying, 'I want to help you.'"

"In addition to multiple ground-level supporters, several well-known Iowa political types have also stepped forward including Rep. Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton as Gingrich’s Iowa senior policy adviser and House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, R-Garner, the campaign’s Iowa campaign chairwoman."

Gingrich has a proven track record as a fundraiser: He raised more than $250,000 for Iowa GOP candidates in the last election cycle, Ganske noted.

Ganske said he believes Gingrich can revamp his campaign and become a major player in the Iowa caucuses by focusing on small events and gatherings that will cost the campaign little money but build his support.

R.C. Hammond also said that Newt will be in Iowa for 16 of the next 45 days.

The Iowa Republican touts Newt's latest hires: "exceptional" and "impressive"

Earlier today, Newt rolled out his latest hires in the state that will hold the first nominating contest.

Of Katie Koberg, who was the Vice President of a Iowan fiscal conservative think tank until recently, Craig Robinson of The Iowa Republican said:

Koberg is an exceptional hire for Gingrich. With so many of Iowa’s political operatives now working in state government since the state has a Republican governor for the first time in over a decade, there are not that many operatives with a resume like Koberg’s out there for presidential candidates to choose from.

Over a span of almost six years, Koberg has developed contacts and relationships with legislative candidates across the state through here work at Iowans for Tax Relief. Those relationships, and her knowledge of the political landscape across the state, will be an asset for the Gingrich campaign.

Robinson had the following to say about Iowa House Speaker Pro Tempore Jeff Kaufmann:

Gingrich also announced that Rep. Jeff Kaufmann will serve as his senior policy advisor on Iowa related issues such as rural economies, agriculture and energy. Kaufmann is another impressive addition to Gingrich’s Iowa team. Kaufmann has a large following in eastern Iowa and was a huge asset to the campaigns of Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Terry Branstad.