Union Leader endorsement ‘legitimizes’ Gingrich as the ‘anti-Romney’, but doesn’t clinch state, say GOP strategists

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich signs a copy of his book "A Nation Like No Other" as he greets supporters during a book signing event at Books-A-Million in Naples, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Erik Kellar)

The power of the Union Leader endorsement is that it is not merely a one-time flash-in-the-pan, explained Hazelwood.

“The Union Leader will now repeatedly editorialize to support Gingrich so it is not a one shot deal,” he said.

“The question is can Gingrich build on the Union Leader [endorsement] to consolidate and hold a position as the other candidate beside Romney,” Hazelwood added. “If he does get another domino to fall his way in the next 10 days then he will be the real McCoy until Iowa actually votes.”

Also significant, according to Republican political consultant Mike Dennehy, is the that the Union Leader will not just promote Gingrich, but will actively and routinely attack his opponents.

“What many people don’t know is that the Union Leader’s power is at least equal in their ability to bring a candidate down as in their power to build a candidate up,” explained Dennehy in an email. “In 2008, they endorsed McCain when he needed it most and they criticized Mitt Romney every week, which dramatically increased Romney’s unfavorable image leading up to election day. It is unclear what the Union Leader will do with Romney this year, but supporting Newt gives him tremendous credibility when HE needs it most and adds to Newt’s momentum nationally and in New Hampshire.”

Dennehy called “the Union Leader editorial page … the single, most coveted, endorsement by a Republican presidential candidate, and any candidate who says they disagree is lying.”

The Union Leader’s endorsement likely comes as a blow to Romney. Sources tell TheDC that he had worked harder than any other candidate in pursuit of the endorsement and, had he received it, it would have gone a long way to clinching the New Hampshire primary for him.

The decision to endorse Gingrich almost seems like a direct snub to Romney by the paper. In the editorial, Union Leader Publisher Joseph W. McQuaid writes, “We don’t have to agree with them on every issue. We would rather back someone with whom we may sometimes disagree than one who tells us what he thinks we want to hear.” The line appears to be an allusion to Romney’s reputation as a flip flopper. Sources say that they believe McQuaid has something of a problem with Romney and his perceived willingness to say anything to get elected.

Regardless of whether the endorsement allows Gingrich to take on Romney, Galen emailed, “it makes Romney take another look at his Iowa strategy. He’s been running in NH for years and years. I’m not sure the UL endorsement details him but he has to make sure he gets the win there and not divide his resources on what would be a tough win in Iowa.”

The Romney campaign did not respond to request for comment on the endorsement.