Gingrich on Palin: I would ask her to consider taking a major role in the next administration if I’m president.

Today former House Speaker Newt Gingrich spoke with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer about a potential role for Sarah Palin in a Gingrich administration. TUNE IN – this full interview will air today on CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer 4-6 pm ET. A highlight from the interview is after the jump.

On Thursday, Jan. 19, just two days before the highly anticipated primary election in South Carolina, CNN and the Southern Republican Leadership Conference (SRLC) will present a presidential town hall debate live from the North Charleston Coliseum. The two-hour debate will begin at 8 p.m. ET and will be moderated by CNN anchor and chief national correspondent John King.

Please credit all usage of the interview to CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer

Highlight from Full Interview
THIS IS A RUSH FDCH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

WOLF BLITZER, HOST: A lot of us noticed last night that Sarah Palin virtually endorsed you.  She said if she lived in South Carolina, she’d probably vote for you right now, which in my mind, and I suspect in others, immediately raised the possibility if you were to get the nomination, would she be on your short list as a potential vice presidential running mate?

GINGRICH:  Well, look, I don’t want to suggest anything about–we haven’t talked about anything at all.  Governor Palin is somebody who I think was a very good reform governor.  She was extraordinarily effective negotiating with big oil.  She did a good job in the state of Alaska.  I think she’s a very articulate leader of the Tea Party conservative movement.  I was honored and delighted last night when she said if she were in South Carolina, she’d vote for Newt Gingrich.  I hope everybody who likes her decides she’s right.  And I hope they vote for me.

Certainly, she’s one of the people I’d call on for advice.  I would ask her to consider taking a major role in the next administration if I’m president, but nothing has been discussed of any kind.  And it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss it at this time.

I’m just delighted that she and Todd have been both of them so supportive of my candidacy.  And they recognize that, you know, I’m a Tea Party Reform conservative.  I’m not part of the Washington establishment.  And I think that’s the signal that her endorsement last night really sends.

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