Indiana Rep. Mike Pence’s decision not to run for president places the focus now on three Republicans—former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and South Dakota Sen. John Thune—who may decide their plans as early as February, finally engaging a nomination fight that has thus far seen all the major combatants waiting cautiously in their corners…
The former Georgia congressman has set a clear timetable for his involvement in the race, a strategist familiar with his thinking confirmed: He’ll decide whether to form an exploratory committee by the end of February and – if he chooses to proceed – announce the committee during the first week in March.
Gingrich will take the following month to raise money, meet with party leaders and do more political travel. By the first week in April, he’ll either announce a full-blown campaign or opt out.
Unlike other candidates, Gingrich wouldn’t hesitate to be the first declared Republican challenger to President Barack Obama, according to the same source.
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