As some GOP activists and fund-raisers hope other candidates will decide to enter the field, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is set on Wednesday to become the first of the serious contenders to formally announce his candidacy for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.
"I have been humbled by all the encouragement you have given me to run. Thank you for your support," he said Monday on his Facebook page previewing the announcement.
Gingrich has traveled to key early voting states trying to build a network of support and meeting with fund-raisers. He has assembled a campaign team and told supporters he aims to raise $100 million.
During his appearances, he has pushed a wide array of policy proposals as he has begun to lay the foundation of a campaign and prove he is a serious candidate -- not just a symbol of the past.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/11/gingrich/index.html?eref=igoogledmn_topstories
