Gingrich to announce 2012 plans

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is expected to announce plans today to embark on a 2012 White House run, CNN reports. Gingrich will launch an exploratory committee for the presidential election cycle, making him the first Republican contender to enter the race.

The former Congressman from Georgia, who will have no trouble with name recognition during a presidential campaign thanks to his fiery quips against Democrats and run as speaker from 1995 to 1999, has had strong public criticism in the past, following his affair with a former congressional aide, who later became his third wife.

“I’ve had a life which, on occasion, has had problems,â€