Game on in Iowa as GOP attacks target Gingrich

Also on Wednesday, in hopes of reviving a flagging rival campaign, Texas Gov. Rick Perry launched an ambitious effort to compete against Gingrich for the support of Christian evangelicals by emphasizing his Christianity in a flood of new commercials in the leadoff caucus state of Iowa. Separately, Texas Rep. Ron Paul pressed his contention that former House Speaker Gingrich was simply a Washington insider who would eventually flame out.

“He’s the flavor of the week,” Paul said dismissively on CNN. “Our growth is steady.”

The sharper tone — limited to TV for now — marked a pronounced shift in the Republican presidential race away from policy differences and toward character distinctions, with the new GOP leader in state and national polls — Gingrich — clearly the focus a month before the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses. The former Georgia lawmaker is getting a second look from Republican voters across the country after his campaign imploded earlier this summer, and time is running short for his opponents to slow him before the voting starts.

Game on in Iowa as GOP attacks target Gingrich