Weigel

NASHUA, N.H.  -- Newt Gingrich had something to share with the Rotarians, news that had exploded online just moments before.

"I got a very nice phone call from Todd Palin," said Gingrich. "Sarah's husband, and he indicated that he was endorsing me today."

Slightly fewer than half of the people in the room, a well-dressed mixture of businessmen, lawyers, and retirees, applauded. After the short speech, the enthusiasm boost provided by Toddmentum was... well, it may or may not have existed.

"It's certainly a plus for him," said Phil Hall, a retired engineer. "His wife was a very important figure in the last election."

"I don't know why it would matter to anybody," said Mike Duffy, an attorney. "He's a snowmobile driver. Is some candidate going to come up here and announce that an extreme snowboarder just endorsed him?"