Gingrich drops presidential hints

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Alexander Mooney
CNN Ticker Producer

(CNN) – Swinging through Iowa Wednesday to promote his new book, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich suggested he and his wife may be spending a lot of time in the key campaign state next year.

Though declining to discuss the specifics of his political future, Gingrich said his wife – who attended college in Iowa – may be preparing to make an extended return to the Hawkeye State.

"She likes being in Iowa and its very possible she'll be spending a lot of time in Iowa," he joked with reporters in Des Moines, according to CNN affiliate KCCI.

Gingrich has repeatedly left to the door open to a presidential run, saying last January that he considers his name to be on "a list of seven or eight possible candidates at this stage."

The former House Speaker has also remained significantly involved in the Republican Party, having been a constant fixture on the campaign trail for a string of GOP candidates this cycle. He's also appeared at several high profile party conferences and become a forceful critic of President Obama.

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