国际英语新闻:Romney Wins Florida Republican Primary

Gingrich was confident after the Florida poll, telling supporters he will be victorious.

"Now, you might ask, in the face of a five-to-one onslaught, how can that be true? And I will give you the answer," he said. "It was stated at a historic moment in 1863 in dedicating our first national military cemetery by the president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, who said, 'We have government of the people, by the people, for the people.'  And we are going to have people power defeat money power in the next six months."

Florida is among the states with the largest number of delegates at stake, and the winner not only garners more delegate support for the Republican national convention later this year, but his campaign may draw in new backers in other states.

The delegates officially nominate the candidate to face President Obama, a Democrat, in the November presidential election.

Former U.S. senator Rick Santorum and Texas Representative Ron Paul also were on the ballot in Florida, but they were far behind the front-runners.

During the Florida campaign, Gingrich lashed out at Romney, accusing him of being a liberal and running dishonest political ads.  The former congressman said he expects a long campaign in the battle for the party nomination.

Romney has said that Gingrich was making excuses for his debate performances, and he criticized Gingrich for being found guilty of ethics violations that forced him to resign as House speaker.