Newt Gingrich has jolted the Republican presidential race with a resounding victory in the South Carolina primary.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (English) REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NEWT GINGRICH, SAYING:<br/> "We want to run not a Republican campaign, we want to run an American campaign (applause) because we are optimistic about the future because America has always been optimistic about the future."<br/> His supporters felt he was the one to go up against US President Barack Obama.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (English) MIRIAH DERBY, GINGRICH SUPPORTER, RECEPTIONIST, 30, SAYING:<br/> "I think he has a clear cut contrast to Obama and I think that is what we really need and he has some great ideas on how he is going to get America back on track."<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHRIS BUKI, 22, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA STUDENT, ORIGINALLY FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., SAYING:<br/> "You really see conservatives align around Newt Gingrich as the alternative to Romney because before there had been a lot switching between different candidates."<br/> Republican candidates have their eyes on Florida and beyond.<br/> Former businessman, Mitt Romney was confident he had what it took.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (English) REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE MITT ROMNEY SAYING:<br/> "If President Obama thinks he can compare his record of job losses with my record of job creation, that's a battle we're gonna win. And if he thinks he can compare his record of crony capitalism with my record of free market success, that's a battle we're can win.<br/> Rick Santorum noted the three different candidates.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (English) REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE RICK SANTORUM SAYING:<br/> "Well, three states, three winners, what a great country."<br/> Gingrich, Romney and Santorum have each won one of the first three contests in the state by state battle.<br/> Despite coming fourth, Ron Paul has vowed to continue his campaign.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (English) REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE RON PAUL SAYING:<br/> "You know, a lot has been done here in the last week or so also there's been now three elections and a total of 37 delegates have been chosen so far - less than two percent - like one and a half percent. This is the beginning of a long, hard slog."<br/> Eyes now turn to Florida as its January 31st vote is the next up in the state by state nominating contest.<br/> Marie-Claire Fennessy, Reuters
