In a blog entry at the American Prospect, Jamelle Bouie says that Newt Gingrich rode to victory in South Carolina because GOP "voters weren't just looking for a conservative; they were looking for someone who could stand up to President Barack Obama, stand up to Congress, and get things done."

... By aggressively confronting the moderators in both presidential debates, Gingrich gave voters what they were looking for.

“I think he is the only candidate who is defending conservatism and not just himself,” said Ashley Bell, the Republican county commissioner from Georgia who was one of a handful of African Americans at the Gingrich event.

Ken Darr, a Spartanburg-based lawyer who was a latecomer to Gingrich’s campaign, offered a similar take. “I think the whole interview with the ex-wife ended up helping him in the debates, and gave his supporters a lot of energy,” he said.

That energy was pulsing through the ballroom, as more people packed into the area, and the DJ moved from 1980s arena-rock, to 1990s dance hits (“Everybody Dance Now”) and a little Prince (“1999”). I used this as an opportunity to move to the lobby of the hotel, in hopes of meeting a few of the elected officials who would join Gingrich on the stage when he gave his speech. I saw South Carolina Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell as he was hurried into a private room, and I had the opportunity to speak with Arizona Representative Trent Franks, who endorsed Gingrich last week.

Read Jamelle Bouie's entire blog entry at the American Prospect. 

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