Newt Gingrich's campaign is touting a Fox News appearance by former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, with the headline, "If I Were A South Carolinian, I Would Vote For Newt."
Palin did not really endorse Newt, but she did have nice words about his debate performance. She said she would vote for him if she were in South Carolina because it would keep the process going -- and prevent Mitt Romney from becoming the anointed nominee. From her appearance with Sean Hannity:
I do think that Newt is the one who won the debate, if you will, because Newt came out just like South Carolina's own Smokin' Joe Frazier. He came out there swinging, talking about work. Talking about jobs. Talking about work ethic. ...
If I were a South Carolinian -- and each one of these primaries and caucuses are different, Sean -- I want to see this thing continue because iron sharpens iron. Steel sharpens steel. These guys are getting better in their debates. ... If I had to vote in South Carolina, in order to keep this thing going, I'd vote for Newt. And I would want things to continue. More debates, more vetting of candidates. Because we know the mistake made in our country four years ago, with having a candidate that was not vetted to the degree he should have been.
WATCH VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THIS STORY (via Fox News)