Gingrich ends run for U.S. President

Newt Gingrich ends his run for presidency Wednesday after dazzling in televised debates but slumping to defeat in Republican primaries under a barrage of attack ads portraying him as a Washington insider.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) FORMER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NEWT GINGRICH SAYING:

"Today, I'm suspending the campaign, but suspending the campaign does not mean suspending citizenship. Calista and I are committed to be active citizens."

Gingrich fell short of endorsing rival Mitt Romney.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) FORMER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NEWT GINGRICH SAYING:

"I am asked sometimes - is Mitt Romney conservative enough? And my answer is simple: compared to Barack Obama? This is not a choice between Mitt Romney and Ronald Reagan. This is a choice between Mitt Romney and the most radical, leftist president in American history."

Gingrich won primaries in South Carolina and his home state of Georgia this year but failed to make a mark in dozens of other states.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters