Gingrich criticizes Romney, Obama

DERRY, N.H., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich lashed out at party rival Mitt Romney and President Obama during a campaign event in Derry, N.H.

Gingrich touted his work in Congress in the early 1980s to help pass the agenda of President Ronald Reagan and his role as house speaker in passing legislation during Bill Clinton's presidency in the 1990s to position himself Sunday as the best candidate to challenge Obama in November, The (Manchester) New Hampshire Union Leader reported Monday.

Taking a swipe at Romney, Gingrich told the audience at a town hall event: "Winning is not enough. We need to have a leader who is decisive and can move forward with change. What we don't need is an isolated candidate."

Gingrich said the United States needs a president who can rise above partisanship, something he said he did when he was in Congress.

He criticized Obama for being the "food stamp president," pledging to be the "best paycheck president" if he wins the nomination and is elected.

New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary is Tuesday. National and local polls indicate Romney leads the GOP field by a hefty margin.