Newt Gingrich Can't Afford to Get on Utah Ballot

Newt Gingrich has already made it explicitly clear that he believes dropping out in the face of overwhelming odds is for lesser beings. Unfortunately for Newt, his lack of money may finally be becoming a problem.

Case in point: Right now, more than anything, Gingrich would need to win a primary to look like a realistic alternative to Romney. But he can't do that if he can't afford to get on the ballots of major primary states, and based on the fact that his check bounced when he tried to get on Utah's ballot, that might not be such a realistic thought. USA Today has more:

The Salt Lake Tribune reports Gingrich's $500 check to pay the filing fee has bounced. If the former House speaker doesn't pay up by April 20, the story says, his name won't appear on the ballot.

The Utah primary -- the last of the presidential nominating season -- is June 26.[...]

Gingrich acknowledged Sunday that he recently contributed some of his own money to help his campaign, which is about $4.5 million in debt.

A $500 check isn't exactly a large expense for a national Presidential campaign, and either way, a check that small bouncing suggests that Newt's campaign is either suffering from gross financial incompetence or just financial insolvency.

Of course, given the high concentration of Mormons in Utah, it could be argued that Gingrich might want to spend his $500 (assuming he has it) someplace else.