Some say Gingrich should drop out

WASHINGTON, March 8 (UPI) -- Some Republican strategists say it may be time for Newt Gingrich to bow out of the race for the presidential nomination.

A spokesman for Gingrich's campaign told The Hill Wednesday Gingrich needed to win the Alabama and Mississippi primaries in order to maintain a chance for the nomination. The same day, supporters of Rick Santorum began to call for Gingrich to step down.

On Super Tuesday, the former speaker won his home state of Georgia, his first primary victory since he won South Carolina in January.

Even members of Gingrich's own campaign say it may be time to throw their efforts behind another candidate.

"[Gingrich] has tried really hard, but I think it's time to drop, and it's time to put our allegiance behind the man that I believe can beat Barack Obama, and that's Mitt Romney," DeLinda Ridings, one of the regional directors for Gingrich's campaign, told CBS

"If Rick Santorum were to win Alabama and Mississippi, I think it becomes a crescendo," said GOP strategist Keith Appell. "People will be calling on him to do the right thing for the party, in public. And, in private, people will be telling him: 'You don't want to reopen the whole can of worms about being petulant or being diva-like.' "

Gingrich however, still believes he has a chance.

"If I thought he was a slam-dunk to beat Romney and to beat Obama, I would really consider getting out. I don't," Gingrich said in a radio interview. "I think each of the three candidates has strengths and weaknesses and that this is a very healthy vetting process."