Gingrich shoots for a win in Alabama

(AP) Gingrich shoots for a win in Alabama
By BETH FOUHY
Associated Press
DOTHAN, Alabama
Republican Newt Gingrich is counting on a win in Alabama’s primary Tuesday.

The former House speaker attended five campaign events Saturday and stressed his Southern connections. Gingrich served 20 years in Congress from Georgia and won that state’s primary last Tuesday.

Gingrich poked at top rival Mitt Romney, who drew snickers last week when he told a campaign audience he’d eaten cheesy grits for breakfast. Gingrich said familiarity with grits is essential to understanding Southern culture.

Polls show Gingrich, Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum in a tight race in Alabama. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, has yet to win a Southern state.

Gingrich’s campaign also released a memo targeting Santorum, suggesting he had contributed to the overspending in Washington that led Republicans to lose Congress in 2006.