CNN Reports Gingrich Planning May Campaign Announcement

CNN’s Jessica Yellin reports former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has told former staffers and supporters he is “leaning toward a yes” on a presidential run in 2012.

Gingrich, speaking on a conference call, indicated he “hopes to announce a presidential bid in late May at noon in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall,” Yellin reports. Gingrich asked for help building a national audience for the campaign kickoff via local media and social media. How serious is he “leaning?” Yellin says he’s “leaning heavily:”

In response to a question, Gingrich told the group “corporate PACs can give $5,000 and obviously we’d be thrilled to have as many of them sign up as early as possible.”

In an apparent reference to the Contract with America that helped make him speaker in the 1990s he told the group “the campaign I want to build would have a contract in late September of 12” and help “build the party across the board.”

Several times Gingrich pointed out that “for legal reasons” he can’t say too much – “we are still in the exploratory phase,” but he has lined up the beginning of a campaign rollout. He expects former Georgia Senator Zell Miller to be a co-chair “once we put the campaign together.” He says his campaign would be headquartered in Atlanta.

CNN reports Gingrich is trying to recruit supporters in key states like Iowa. A Gingrich aide said he’s planning direct mail solicitations starting next week and telemarketing efforts beginning this week.

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