Mitt, Newt squaring off in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The Republican presidential campaign rolled out of South Carolina Sunday and headed south to Florida where political analysts see a possibly pivotal contest.

Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney both have one primary win, and analysts predicted that momentum of the race for the nomination could shift considerably based on the outcome of the Florida primary at the end of January.

Gingrich, a former U.S. House Speaker, could rock front-runner Romney back on his heels if he can follow up his win in South Carolina with a victory in Florida. On the other hand, a win for Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, might snuff out Gingrich's recent surge.

Some analysts see the primary going either way, even though Romney's well-heeled organization has the advantage in television reach. Ann Herberger, a GOP fundraiser and former Jon Huntsman advisor, told Politico: "Florida is absolutely in play and anybody who tells you it isn't is just not truthful. Down here, nothing is inevitable."

Not everyone agrees. While Gingrich has exposure on talk radio and mainstream media coverage, he has yet to marshal the funds needed to match Romney's paid advertising and the groundwork he laid earlier in the campaign.

"Romney has worked the state continuously, one way or another, for the last six years," GOP strategist Mac Stipanovich told the Los Angeles Times. "Gingrich lacks both the organization and the financial resources to capitalize on a win in South Carolina."

Politico said Gingrich's win in South Carolina could make him more appealing in Florida because it addressed the question of whether he could beat Romney and possibly President Obama. That clears the deck for Gingrich to focus on social issues and conservative ideology as he stumps in Florida.

There is also the question of a close result or a strong showing by undercard combatants Ron Paul and Rick Santorum. That, the Washington Post said, would throw the race into the three-state arena of Nevada, Michigan and Arizona.