Newt Gingrich, Gop Debate | featured news

Newt Gingrich was hammered by TV ads, in interviews and on the debate stage Thursday as his GOP rivals sought to slow his momentum.

Donald Trump withdrew Tuesday as the moderator of a debate planned for later this month in Iowa, citing his interest in possibly still running for president as an independent. Trump pulled out of a debate he had planned to host along with the conservative magazine Newsmax, scheduled for Dec. 27, just days before the Iowa caucuses. All the GOP presidential candidates save for Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum said they would not participate.

The newest Republican front-runner parries attacks on his character, his record and his ideas, including recent statements about Palestinians. In a freewheeling clash that reflected the heightened stakes in the 2012 presidential contest, GOP front-runner Newt Gingrich parried relentless attacks on his ideas, character and record from rival candidates in a televised debate Saturday night.

Newt Gingrich has said "yes" to The Donald. Gingrich yesterday became the first GOP presidential candidate to accept an invitation to a Dec. 27 debate in Iowa moderated by Donald Trump. "I would want to go just for the entertainment value," Gingrich told reporters after a campaign event Saturday. "I can't imagine what a debate hosted by Donald Trump would be like."