From West Columbia, South Carolina -
The day after a sizzling debate performance by Newt Gingrich, his backers were excited about his chances, but the optics of one of his afternoon events left doubts about what's next for the former House Speaker.
As Gingrich's bus brought him from downtown Columbia to the southwestern reaches of West Columbia, Gingrich staffers were busy pulling dozens of chairs off the floor to prevent any embarrasing camera shots.
It wasn't clear if that was a commentary on Gingrich's campaign - in other words, no bump from the debate - or if it was just something simple like people couldn't get off work to go to a campaign event like they might do in Iowa or New Hampshire.
Up in Florence, South Carolina, the pictures weren't good from a Mitt Romney rally either, as only a small crowd turned out to hear from the GOP frontrunner on Tuesday morning.
While Romney ended up in New York on Tuesday night for a fundraiser, his team was certainly hearing the attacks from the other four Republicans still in the race.
"I'll debate Romney anywhere," said a defiant Gingrich, who alternately ripped Romney and President Obama - and also publicly called on Rick Santorum and Rick Perry to drop out of the Republican race.
"I really want to vote for you," one voter said to Gingrich.
"How can I help?" quipped Gingrich to laughter.
But that's what Gingrich faced with others in attendance as well; one man sporting his FairTax sign, still aggravated that Gingrich has downplayed the idea of major tax reform.
A few hours later, I caught up with Gingrich again, this time at a business forum in downtown Columbia - he defended his attacks on Romney and wrapped up with an appeal for support.
"If I win the primary Saturday, I will be the nominee," Gingrich flatly predicted.
"And if I don't win the primary Saturday, we will probably nominate a moderate and the odds are fairly high that he will lose to Obama," Gingrich added, referring to Romney without mentioning his name.
For reporters, Gingrich is the never-ending sound bite, the news story that won't end. He makes news at almost every stop. That much we know and enjoy.
What's not clear to the scribes on the ground is whether Gingrich can move his poll numbers up dramatically in the Palmetto State, or whether Mitt Romney is sipmly too tough.
Gingrich, Santourm, Perry and Paul have just a few more days to make their case.
For now, Romney remains the frontrunner, with Gingrich back in second; third place is a battle between Paul and Santorum, with Romney trailing the field.
Wednesday should be even more interesting.
