After a 13-point ex-speaker upset over Mitt Romney in the Republican primary in South Carolina on Saturday, some Republicans are signaling openness to the presidential candidate Gingrich.
The appearance on "Face the nation" CBS "Sunday, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, stopped the approval of Gingrich, but conceded that not only" Newt Gingrich has changed in a positive way, "but that he was the American people, he can go in lockstep with President Obama in 2012.
"Newt, not only won the debate," said Graham. "He convinced people that he can defeat Barack Obama ... electability was the question before the South Carolina primary, during the primary and on election day. Newt won."
In the period after the loss of Mitt Romney, many observers have pointed to a number of wrong move by Romney last week - but said Graham results of the competition on Saturday was not so much about Romney's loss, as it was about Gingrich victory.
"We had 600,000 people vote," he said. "The biggest Republican primary in history happened yesterday. People were energized. They were looking for loved ones. They chose Newt. It was Newt to win more than anyone else loses."
On the question of whether he was ready to endorse Gingrich, Graham objected - but allowed: "That's what I want to say that Newt Gingrich has changed in a positive way."
Referring to his position on immigration, Graham added: "Newt puts real solutions to the table in such a way today that he would not do in 1994. This maturation and thought, I think it will help the party and help him."
Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, as well as on the show, cited Graham's suggestion that "Newt has become a much better candidate" for a long time, although he said he thinks it "remains to be seen" whether Gingrich is more likely to on beating Mr. Obama.
But, he said, "it is a great in the debates. He's the best debater, of course, is not close. Strong Romney over management."
Barbour did not dismiss those qualities, however.
"There are many people in the United States who understand we need some control after watching this administration," he said. "We need someone that knows how to get things done. Romney, in my opinion was very brave to deal with legal programs of the Obama administration."
