The Hill News

Newt Gingrich suggested that Rick Santorum and Rick Perry should consider dropping out of the presidential race to consolidate support behind his candidacy while campaigning in South Carolina Tuesday.

"I'm respectful that Rick has every right to run as long as he feels that's what he should do," Gingrich said, according to the Huffington Post. "But from the standpoint of the conservative movement, consolidating into a Gingrich candidacy would in fact virtually guarantee victory on Saturday, and I'd be delighted if either [Rick] Perry or Santorum would do that. They have to make that decision."

Gingrich also reiterated his claim - first made Monday - that a vote for his rivals would, in essence, be a vot! e for Mitt Romney, who, fresh off consecutive victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, could parlay a victory in South Carolina to status as the presumptive nominee.

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