HAM HOUSE

Romney, Gingrich Avoid Each Other

At scheduled appearances in Greenville, S.C.

People were hoping for a duel at high noon, but the "Ham House Showdown" between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich never occurred. The GOP candidates battling for the South Carolina primary both had scheduled 10:45 a.m. appearances at Tommy's Ham House in Greenville, but Romney showed up 45 minutes early. In an apparent jab at Gingrich, Romney told supporters he's not a "Washington insider," adding that "This is a campaign about taking America back." Gingrich waltzed in right on time and quipped about the nonshowdown: "I have a question—where's Mitt?" Newt is leading the polls so far today, but Romney was ahead in the Palmetto State at the start of the week.