Gingrich: Justice Dept Wants to 'Steal Elections

(The Blaze/AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich blasted the Justice Department for blocking a South Carolina voter identification law and suggested the Obama administration wants to "steal elections."

During a campaign stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the former House speaker questioned why Attorney General Eric Holder is "so determined not to identify if people are not eligible to vote"

Gingrich went on to say that, "you have to ask, why is it that they are desperate to retain the ability to steal elections and I think that's what it comes down to."

The Justice Department recently rejected South Carolina's law requiring voters to show photo ID at polling places as discriminatory against minorities. Republicans argue stricter voter ID laws are needed to avert voter fraud.

The South Carolina primary is Jan. 21.

Gingrich's once promising campaign has derailed over the last month, especially in key early caucus Iowa where frequent attack ads against Gingrich have sent the former Speaker of the House from first to fourth place in polls over the last month.