Gingrich may mull presidential run

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., said he would consider whether to run for president after the 2010 midterm elections.

Gingrich said it seemed the Republican Party was fielding a strong group of emerging candidates, but he said he would consider whether there's a voice he believes he could fill, The Hill reported.

He and his wife would review their options in February 2011, Gingrich said Sunday during an interview with C-SPAN.

"(We're) going to reach out to all of our friends around the country, and we're going to decide if there's a requirement as citizens that we run, I suspect we probably will," Gingrich said. "And if there's not a requirement, if other people have filled the vacuum, I suspect we probably won't."

"I want to see an alternative Republican Party, not an opposition Republican Party," Gingrich said. "We need to have standard-bearers who are prepared to offer (a) vivid, powerful alternative."

Gingrich praised several Republicans who are testing the presidential nomination waters, the Washington publication said.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is "going to add a lot to the race," Gingrich said, while Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is "one of the most talented people in politics."

If the economy is still in a dismal state, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has the business chops to address the economy if it remains in a dismal state, Gingrich said.