Newt Gingrich Schedules Press Conference in Nevada, Prompting Rumors [Updated]

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, in Nevada for the Republican primary caucuses, has scheduled a mysterious press conference in Las Vegas later tonight. Active candidates typically hold a rally regardless of voting results; Mr. Gingrich’s presser has prompted The New York Times to report via its political blog The Caucus that “rumors have been flying” in Nevada that Mr. Gingrich will cease his run for the presidency.

Those rumors may be unfounded–embedded journalists following the campaign have already a received preliminary schedule of appearances Mr. Gingrich will make in upcoming caucus states such as Colorado and Ohio.

Casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, a major donor to a Super PAC supporting the Gingrich campaign, is based in Las Vegas as well, so Gingrich could simply be acknowledging a major donor’s support. The upshot is no one really knows what the former Speaker is up to, which is perhaps just the way he likes it.

UPDATE: In his press conference after Mitt Romney was declared winner of the Nevada caucuses, Mr. Gingrich declared he was the only real conservative seeking the nomination and definitely still in the running.

[NYTimes.com]