The Newt Gingrich campaign for President is only officially four weeks old, but already it is in deep trouble, as a group of top advisers abandoned ship on Thursday, plunging the candidacy of the former Speaker of the House into major uncertainty.
Gingrich lost his campaign manager, chief spokesman, and top advisers in several states in a dispute over the course of the campaign.
And Newt even lost his national campaign co-chairman, former Gov. Sonny Perdue of Gingrich's home state of Georgia.
Not only did Perdue abandon ship, but he quickly threw his support to former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Gingrich vowed to continue his campaign, writing supporters via email and on his Facebook page that his 2012 bid is not ending.
"I am committed to running the substantive, solutions-oriented campaign I set out to run earlier this spring," Gingrich wrote to his supporters.
"The campaign begins anew Sunday in Los Angeles."
On Monday, we'll see just how well Gingrich is doing, as he joins other GOP hopefuls in a CNN debate in Manchester, New Hampshire. (I'll be there as well.)
One of my favorite things to do during a blowup like this is to read all of the different stories on the finger pointing over who is to blame for the inside troubles.
As expected, Gingrich himself took some heat from the departed insiders, who argue he is not focused enough on the campaign.
But more interesting were the barbs lobbed at Gingrich's wife Callista, who was blamed for letting Newt's mind wander and for driving the campaign down the wrong roads.
“We have a spouse who controls the schedule,” was one quote in the New York Times.
"He does whatever she wants,” complained another aide in Politico.
Also drawing fire was how Gingrich and his wife went on a 10 day cruise in Europe - but while it took Newt off the campaign trail, it evidently allowed his staff to join together in what amounted to a mutiny.
Or a "Newtiny" as one wag put it.
One thing about Newt Gingrich, there always seems to be drama.
We'll see if he can realistically keep his campaign going.
