Gingrich Pledges To Keep Campaigning

(NewsCore) - Newt Gingrich pledged he would not withdraw from the Republican presidential race following Mitt Romney's projected victory in the Nevada caucuses Saturday night.

"We will continue to campaign, all the way to Tampa," the former House speaker told a press conference in Las Vegas, adding that by the Texas primary -- on March 6, Super Tuesday -- he expected to be running level with the frontrunner.

Gingrich, who was pushing ahead in a battle for second place in Nevada with Texas Rep. Ron Paul, was at pains to squash speculation that he might pull out of the competition, saying, "We intend to compete in every state."

He said he believes conservatives "want an alternative to Romney," slamming the former Massachusetts governor for being "substantially dishonest" in debates, for negative campaigning and for his moderate policies.

Yet he would not commit to running only a positive campaign himself when pressed by a reporter, saying that he has to stay in the fight.

Gingrich's conference -- which came in place of a previously scheduled appearance -- was greeted with some surprise by pundits, who saw it as lacking in positivity and rambling.

FOX News Channel commentator Charles Krauthammer said afterwards of Gingrich that, "When he speaks about America he's great, when he speaks about himself he's awful."

Earlier, author Ann Coulter told FOX News that the negative tone and "bitter infighting" of the campaign needs to end soon, as it is damaging the chances of the eventual nominee to face President Barack Obama in November.