Newt Gingrich Praises Marco Rubio, Calls for Lincoln-Douglas Debates With Obama

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich told attendees at the Presidency 5 event in Orlando on Saturday that he admired a favorite son of the Sunshine State -- U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Gingrich added to an answer that he made in Thursdays debate and said he would consider having Rubio as his running mate if he won the Republican presidential nomination. Gingrich also saidif he won the Republican nomination he would challenge President Barack Obama to seven Lincoln-Douglas style debates.

While there are some Gingrich supporters at P5, his campaign has done little to organize for the straw poll held later on Saturday. Gingrich clearly has his fans -- there were long lines for a book-signing he had on Friday. Still, while Gingrichs speech received cheers and applause, it probably did not help him with what he needs the most at P5 -- votes.