Hundreds of people gathered in Perry Saturday for the GOP Annual Fish Fry. People from all around Middle Georgia where at the Miller-Murphy Howard building to socialize and meet their elected leaders. Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich was a speaker at the event, but could be seen mingling in the crowd before his appearance on stage. Gingrich said he wanted to come out to the fish fry to visit with old friends.

“ This is a great opportunity to see lots of friends from all over the state. I've been active in the Republican Party for a long time and I knew that today-- with Governor Perdue having organized this for years-- we would have a great crowd and a great chance to catch up with each other.”

Gingrich took the stage early in the afternoon welcoming the crowd and thanking them for their support. He told the group that he decided to run because he felt it was absolutely necessary.

“ We need a candidate who can tell the truth better than the Democrats can lie,” he said to the enthusiastic audience. “ We need to be pro-jobs, we need to be pro- national security, we need to be pro-American exceptionalism, and we need to communicate the positive American future that is possible if we do the right things,” he continued.

Gingrich wrapped up his speech by asking the crowd for their help and support as the primaries draw closer.

“ I want you to go home and on Monday I want you to call the Georgia delegation and I want you to tell the Georgia delegation that there are positive things we can do. As a Presidential candidate I intend to lead now, not just promise that I will lead someday in the distant future.”

Tune in to NewsNight on the Patriot Monday at 6 pm for a full report on the weekend's events.