Gingrich gets New Hampshire endorsement

MANCHESTER, N.H., Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Newt Gingrich scored a potentially major endorsement this weekend from the statewide Union Leader newspaper in the critical primary state of New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire Union Leader officially endorsed the former U.S. House speaker Sunday, saying the United States needed more than just someone to replace President Obama in 2012.

"We are in critical need of the innovative, forward-looking strategy and positive leadership that Gingrich has shown he is capable of providing," publisher Joseph McQuaid said.

The traditionally conservative newspaper said Gingrich is not the perfect candidate but urged readers to look through what it said was media preoccupation with "fluff, silliness and each candidate's minor miscues."

Politico said the Union Leader's endorsement was a disappointment for Mitt Romney, who leads in New Hampshire in the polls and was actively seeking the newspaper's nod.

On the other hand, Politico noted, the endorsement was not expected to have a major impact on the pecking order in Iowa, another early primary state that often is in competition with New Hampshire when it comes to selecting the early front-runners for president.