Is Newt Gingrich Capable Of Bowing Out Gracefully?

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Newt Gingrich was able to deliver on his self-proclaimed need to win his home State of Georgia on Super Tuesday.  Gingrich won Georgia handily defeating both Romney and Santorum capturing 47% of the vote.  His win in Georgia along with his previous win in South Carolina are the only two bright spots in his diminishing campaign.  Super Tuesday was not all that super for Gingrich though.

Finishing first in Georgia was the expectation.  What he couldn't have hoped for was 5 fourth place finishes among the ten states up for grabs on Tuesday along with three 3rd place finishes.  Not strong performances for someone wanting to win his party's nomination.  Gingrich has fallen far behind in the delegate count even with the pick-up of a good number in Georgia. 

Today, Rick Santorum's Super PAC, Red, White and Blue, has come out encouraging Gingrich to toss the towel and leave the race.  As you might expect, they believe that Gingrich is splitting the conservative vote between him and Santorum keeping the door open for Romney to continue his march toward the nomination.  They believe that Santorum would have won Ohio and probably at least one or two other states had Gingrich been out of the race. 

One does have to wonder what Gingrich gains by staying in the race.  It is unlikely that anything of significant consequence could happen between Romney and Santorum that would open a door for Gingrich to reemerge as a leading contender for the nomination.  It also seems likely that Santorum would benefit the most by Gingrich's departure locking up a greater number of social conservatives than Mitt Romney would. 

So what does Gingrich gain by staying in the race?  A place at the table perhaps.  Maybe a greater voice when it comes time to develop the Republican platform.  Maybe a cabinet position or some other role of importance.  I would suspect that someone on Santorum's staff, maybe Santorum himself, is trying to reach out to Gingrich asking for him to step down and throw his support his way.  Somewhat ironic given that Gingrich asked the same of Santorum some months back.

In addition to Santorum making the request, other Republican leaders must be thinking the same thing.  Narrowing the field at this time would be of great benefit to Santorum and it might even help Romney as the two candidates could then focus on only their differences and level most of their criticism toward President Obama.  Of course you have the financial considerations as well given the length of the primary season and the growing need to build funds leading toward November. 

Ron Paul's candidacy has no real bearing on either Santorum or Romney.  As the libertarian, he is the odd man out and will only capture that portion of the Republican party that subscribes to his whole philosophy.  My guess is that Gingrich will stay in the race hoping to build on his Georgia win with victories next week in Alabama and Mississippi.  Poor showings in these states would be the end of the Gingrich candidacy. 

Will Newt bow out gracefully or will he leave kicking and screaming?  We should know a week from today.