The deal fell apart when neither man could envision himself in the number-two slot. | REUTERS A Gingrich-Santorum ticket?

It was almost Newt and Rick. Or Rick and Newt?

Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum held discussions in February last year over a unity ticket that they believed could have toppled eventual GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. But the deal fell apart when neither man could envision himself in the No. 2 slot.


“I was disappointed when Speaker Gingrich ultimately decided against this idea, because it could have changed the outcome of the primary,” Santorum told Bloomberg BusinessWeek. “And more importantly, it could have changed the outcome of the general election.”

After Gingrich’s loss in the Florida primary, Santorum strategist John Brabender approached the Gingrich campaign with the idea of a unity ticket. He proposed Gingrich drop out in the middle of a nationally televised debate and endorse Santorum. Gingrich suggested both men stay in the race, but each would focus on the regions where they were strongest against Romney. The teams held a series of closed-door meetings, culminating in a one-on-one meeting between the two candidates just before the Michigan primary in February.

Gingrich tried to convince Santorum the GOP historically chose the senior figure in the party as its nominee, but the Pennsylvanian was unmoved.

“In the end, it was just too hard to negotiate,” Gingrich said.