Sarah Palin would 'vote for Newt'

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Sarah Palin, 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, said she'd endorse GOP hopeful Newt Gingrich if she were voting in Saturday's South Carolina primary.

During an appearance on a Fox News political talk show, Palin said she wants the race for the Republican presidential nomination to continue because "iron sharpens iron, steel sharpens steel."

"These guys are getting better in their debates, they are getting more concise, they're getting more grounded in what their beliefs are and articulating what their ideas are to getting the country back on the right track and getting Americans working again," said Palin, a Fox News commentator.

When asked if she was close to endorsing presidential candidate, Palin said, "If I had to vote in South Carolina, in order to keep this thing going I'd vote for Newt and I would want this to continue."

The longer the campaign, the longer the vetting process, she said, adding, "because we know the mistake made in our country four years ago was having a candidate that was not vetted … ."

The Gingrich campaign could not be reached for comment, ABC News said, but Gingrich's Twitter page posted, "Thanks @SarahPalinusa for throwing your support my way in the South Carolina primary."

Palin's husband, Todd Palin, endorsed Gingrich last week.

The South Carolina primary is Saturday. National polls show former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the lead.