Gingrich wins South Carolina primary

Using hard-edged debate performances, former House speaker Newt Gingrich completes comeback against Mitt Romney.

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Jan. 21, 2012

Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich stands with his wife, Callista, at the Hilton Hotel in Columbia, S.C. after winning the state's primary.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

Jan. 21, 2012

Newt Gingrich celebrates his victory at a rally in Columbia, S.C.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Newt Gingrich, with wife Callista, emerged from the South Carolina primary with a 12-point win.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

Jan. 21, 2012

Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney speaks at his South Carolina primary election night rally in Columbia, S.C.

Jim Young / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

A large crowd gathers to hear Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney speak.

Mladen Antonov / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Mitt Romney addresses the crowd in Columbia, S.C.

Emmanuel Dunand / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum addresses his supporters at his South Carolina primary night rally in Charleston. He came in third.

Chris Keane / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) appears onstage in Columbia, S.C., with his wife, Carol. Paul finished fourth.

John W. Adkisson / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Ron Paul supporters John Baker and Ludmila Baker wait to hear their candidate speak at a primary night rally in Columbia, S.C.

John W. Adkisson / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Brothers Drew, left, and Jack Gallaher play with signs supporting Republican presidential candidate and former House speaker Newt Gingrich at his South Carolina primary election night rally in Columbia, S.C.

Mary Ann Chastain / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Republican presidential candidate and former House speaker Newt Gingrich takes part in a TV interview during a campaign event at the Grapevine Restaurant in Spartanburg, S.C.

Matt Rourke / AP

Jan. 21, 2012

Republican presidential hopeful former House speaker Newt Gingrich greets potential voters inside Tommy's Ham House in Greenville, S.C.

Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

A video screen shows Republican presidential candidate and former Massachussetts governor Mitt Romney, left, and President Obama in a campaign video sponsored by the campaign of rival candidate and former U.S. senator Rick Santorum (not pictured), at Romney's South Carolina primary rally site as supporters wait for the rally to begin in Columbia, S.C.

Brian Snyder / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

A supporter walks into the Republican South Carolina presidential primary night rally for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in Columbia, S.C.

David Goldman / AP

Jan. 21, 2012

A Mitt Romney supporter holds a picture of him as she awaits his arrival at his party headquarters in Greenville, S.C.

Emmanuel Dunand / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, wait during early returns at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, S.C.

Charles Dharapak / AP

Barbara Marks, 78, of Laughlin, Nev., made the drive from her home four days ago to take in the South Carolina primary. "I think this is the most important state vote in my history," says Marks as she waited for Newt Gingrich to speak at the Hilton Hotel in Columbia, S.C. She is a Gingrich supporter and will vote in a few weeks in her home state.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

D'Andria Wider, 15, and her brother Davon Wider, 12, of Greensboro, N.C., take in the scene at the Hilton Hotel in Columbia, S.C., where presidential candidate Newt Gingrich will speak later tonight after the polls close on primary night in Columbia. The teens are visiting with their father Carlos Wider, not shown, who says "It's a tough race."

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

Jan. 20, 2012

Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) is on stage during a campaign rally in Columbia, S.C.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

Jan. 21, 2012

William Deloch, left, and David Smith chat after casting their ballots in the Republican presidential primary at "Vincent Smith's Garage" polling station in Horse Gall, S.C. The polling station, which serves southeast South Carolina, was moved from the Smith family's garage to the den 10 years ago to make voters more comfortable.

John Moore / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Voter Larry Conn wears a hat that said "undecided" on it. Republican presidential hopeful former House speaker Newt Gingrich modified and autographed it during a meet and greet with potential voters inside Tommy's Ham House in Greenville , S.C.

Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Poll worker Matt Lanzer places an "I Voted" sticker on Ella Ibbotson, 2, as she and her twin brother Will, accompany their parents, Ryan and Elizabeth Ibbotson of Myrtle Beach, S.C., background, to vote at a library in Socastee, S.C.

Charles Slate / AP

Jan. 21, 2012

Newt Gingrich, center, laughs next to his wife Callista, right, during his introduction to supporters during a campaign stop at Whiteford's Restaurant in Laurens, S.C.

Benjamin Myers / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Supporters cheer for Newt Gingrich during a campaign stop at Tommy's Ham House in Greenville, S.C.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

Jan. 21, 2012

Supporters shelter themselves from the rain with campaign signs after Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich spoke at Tommy's Ham House in Greenville, S.C.

John W. Adkisson / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

A poster of election rules is placed under a portrait of Civil War general Wade Hampton in the Pee Dee Farms Co. in South Carolina.

Randall Hill / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, a Republican presidential candidate, looks out the drive-thru window at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Anderson, S.C.

Eric Thayer / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Newt Gingrich greets supporters at Tommy's Country Ham House in Greenville, S.C. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney also campaigned at the restaurant just before Gingrich.

Win McNamee / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Mitt Romney calls potential voters as he meets supporters at his party headquarters in Greenville, S.C.

Emmanuel Dunand / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Mitt Romney climbs over a table at a campaign event at Tommy's Country Ham House in Greenville, S.C.

Eric Thayer / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Supporters of Newt Gingrich hold up a sign as Mitt Romney visits Tommy’s Country Ham House in Greenville, S.C.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Candidate and former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum speaks to voters at the Mission polling place as they vote in the South Carolina primary in Greenville.

Mary Ann Chastain / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Rick Santorum gives a thumbs up as he speaks to voters at the Amick's Ferry Fire Station polling place in Chapin, S.C.

Mary Ann Chastain / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Rick Santorum waves to voters at the Amick's Ferry Fire Station polling place.

Mary Ann Chastain / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Rick Santorum runs for cover as he arrives at Amick Ferry Fire Station to speak to voters.

Mary Ann Chastain / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Jene Boner of Charleston, S.C., votes at W L Stephens Aquatic Center.

Andrew Burton / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Brad Wallace and his daughter Hannah Wallace, 6, of Charleston, S.C., vote in the South Carolina primary at W L Stephens Aquatic Center.

Andrew Burton / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Candidate Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House, boards his bus after visiting Powdersville Middle School polling location in Greenville, S.C.

John W. Adkisson / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Newt Gingrich shakes hands with a supporter while visiting the Powdersville Middle School polling location in Greenville, S,C.

John W. Adkisson / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Newt Gingrich greets volunteers, from left, Joy Boudreau, Mary-Jane Bennett and Nancy Graham while visiting the Powdersville Middle School polling location.

John W. Adkisson / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

A crowd gathers at Powdersville Middle School as Newt Gingrich visits.

Eric Thayer / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Thomas Pounds, right, votes as poll manager Pinkie Cowans stands nearby at the Anderson Recreation Center in Anderson, S.C.

Ken Ruinard / AP

Jan. 21, 2012

Newt Gingrich shakes hands with supporters after speaking at Tommy's Country Ham House in Greenville, S.C.

John W. Adkisson / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Supporters cheer for Newt Gingrich at Tommy's Country Ham House.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

Jan. 21, 2012

Newt Gingrich greets supporters at Tommy's Country Ham House. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney also campaigned at Tommy's Country Ham House just before Gingrich.

Win McNamee / Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

People wait to greet Newt Gingrich at a campaign event at Tommy's Country Ham House.

Eric Thayer / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Campaign signs supporting Republican presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney sit on a table at a campaign event at Tommy's Country Ham House in Greenville, S.C.

Eric Thayer / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Mitt Romney leaves Tommy's Country Ham House in Greenville.

Eric Thayer / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Mitt Romney meets supporters at his party headquarters in Greenville, S.C.

Emmanuel Dunand / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

Mitt Romney greets supporters at a campaign stop in Greenville.

Jim Young / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Mitt Romney greets a young supporter inside Tommy's Ham House in Greenville.

Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2012

A voter in the South Carolina presidential primary casts her ballot electronically alongside a statue of a fireman at Canaan Volunteer fire house in Cope, S.C.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Jan. 21, 2012

Suporters cheer for Mitt Romney during a campaign stop in Greenville, S.C.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

Jan. 21, 2012

Mitt Romney greets supporters during a campaign stop in Greenville, S.C.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

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