Florida Primary: Gingrich Vows Six-Month Fight as Paul, Santorum Head West

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appears to be on the verge of a convincing victory in the Florida primary, but his opponents are working to ensure that won't be a knockout blow.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich sounded a defiant note, telling reporters that he was the sole candidate capable of unifying conservatives and predicting a nomination fight that would stretch until the Republican National Convention. He scoffed at suggestions that he might drop out of the race, citing recent national polls that showed him beating Romney.

This is a long, long way from being over, Gingrich told reporters Tuesday morning as he arrived at a polling station in a Baptist church in Orlando. I'd say June or July unless Romney drops out earlier.

Gingrich Campaign Buoyed by Fundraising Totals

Gingrich's campaign was also buoyed by news that he had raised $10 million in the final three months of 2011 and about $13 million for all of 2011, a sum that was far eclipsed by Romney's $56 million haul in 2011. While Romney's substantial war chest gives him an advantage, the rise of super PACs -- organizations that can spend unlimited amounts of money supporting a candidate -- have already played a role in keeping Gingrich's run alive.

Meanwhile, former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) decided to cut their losses in Florida and refocused their respective campaigns on future primaries. Both candidates are in Colorado, which will hold its primaries a week from Tuesday.

No matter what happens in Florida, this race is wide open, Santorum said while speaking to Colorado voters at the Lone Tree golf club, near Denver. We plan on being in this campaign for a while.

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