Mellower Gingrich Focuses On Policy

(NewsCore)(The Wall Street Journal) - A tamer, less combative Newt Gingrich showed up in Golden, Colo., on Monday, pulling most of his punches against Mitt Romney and arguing he is best suited to bring "big changes" to Washington.

Gone were the jabs at the Republican frontrunner's wealth and Cayman Islands bank account. While Gingrich again brought up Romney's remark last week that he is "not concerned" about the very poor because they have a safety net, he did so late in his remarks and stuck mostly to policy.

"This is exactly backwards," the Republican presidential hopeful said calmly, a day before Colorado holds its caucuses. "The safety net doesn't protect you from falling. It becomes a spider web that traps you from independence."

The new tack comes after some Gingrich advisers argued during lengthy meetings in Las Vegas last week that Gingrich should return to the positive tone and focus on "big ideas." It is also possible that Gingrich just did not feel like being feisty Monday. On Saturday night, as he lost the Nevada caucuses to Romney, the former House speaker told reporters that it is impossible to run a purely positive campaign.

But on Monday, Gingrich's harshest criticism of the former Massachusetts governor was that he worked with Democrats. "Gov. Romney doesn't represent profound change," Gingrich said. "You look at what he did in Massachusetts, he basically accommodated Democrats."

Voters said they appreciated the new tone, even if applause was muted and attendance was light at the hotel ballroom.

"He was more subdued," said 69-year-old Golden resident Carole Cruson, who joined Gingrich on stage but said she will likely caucus Tuesday for Romney. "He's probably heard some of the feedback that he's sounding angry and desperate and defensive lately."

Stan Payne, 59, an unemployed man from Littleton, Colo., said he also likes the nicer Newt. "It sways the dumb-minded," he said of political attacks, though he conceded they work.

Polls show Gingrich on track to take third place in Colorado Tuesday and the Romney campaign has pivoted to attacking former Sen. Rick Santorum, signaling it no longer feels as threatened by the former speaker.

But it seems Gingrich's campaign still views Romney as its main rival. When spokesman R.C. Hammond was asked if Gingrich would speak with reporters Monday, he referenced a Washington Post article Monday that said Romney has not taken audience questions since Jan. 13.

"I refuse to do one more media [availability] until Mitt Romney speaks to at least one more American," Hammond said.

Read more: The Wall Street Journal