(Charlie Neibergall/Ap)-Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich welcoming locals after talking on the field Willow Ridge golf, Thursday, December 15, 2011, in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa
Former House speaker, led the nation and state GOP opinion, setting the stage by pushing back against criticism of its main rivals Mitt Romney and pledged in a new advertisement to be positive in the race.
Romney expected to test the Gingrich
Also participating in the debate is Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Texas Governor Rick Perry, a former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman. Huntsman is not campaigning for Iowa caucuses but has recently been gaining on Romney in New Hampshire next-up.