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**Written by Doug Powers

Ouch. Sure, Gingrich is recognized in some circles as the “smartest” in the field, but, as George Coote once advised, every family should have three children — that way if one of them turns out to be a genius the other two can support him. Or in this case, get him on the Virginia ballot:

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Gov. Rick Perry failed to submit enough valid signatures to qualify for the Virginia primary ballot, state GOP officials said Friday evening and early Saturday.

The Republican Party of Virginia announced early Saturday that Gingrich and Perry failed to submit 10,000 signatures of registered voters required to get their names on the ballot for the March 6 primary.

“After verification, RPV has determined that Newt Gingrich did not submit required 10k signatures and has not qualified for the VA primary,” the party announced on Twitter.
[...]
Earlier Friday, the Republican Party of Virginia certified former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) to appear on the ballot.

Bachmann, Huntsman and Santorum also failed to qualify to appear on the Virginia ballot.

At last glance Gingrich had a slight lead over Romney in Virginia.

The Gingrich campaign says Virginia has a “failed system” and will now pursue a write-in campaign. Look for Newt to challenge Republican Party of Virginia officials to a series of Lincoln/Douglas-style debates.

**Written by Doug Powers

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