Rats deserting the sinking political campaign.

From Yahoo/Associated Press:

Gingrich campaign in tatters as top aides resign
The entire top echelon of Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign resigned on Thursday, a stunning mass exodus that left his bid for the Republican nomination in tatters. But the former House speaker vowed defiantly to remain a candidate.

"I am committed to running the substantive, solutions-oriented campaign I set out to run earlier this spring," the Gingrich said in a posting to his Facebook page. "The campaign begins anew Sunday in Los Angeles."

Rick Tyler, Gingrich's spokesman, said that he, campaign manager Rob Johnson and senior strategists had all quit, along with aides in the early primary and caucus states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Other officials said Gingrich was informed that his entire high command was quitting in a meeting at his headquarters in Washington. They cited differences over the direction of the campaign.

"We had a different vision for victory," Tyler told The Associated Press. "And since we couldn't resolve that difference, I didn't feel I could be useful in serving him."

And the other shoe can be found over at The National Review Online:

GOP Consultants Expecting Newt�s Guys to Jump to Perry
Just checked in with three GOP consultants, all of whom have been in the campaign business a while and none of whom are yet affiliated with a 2012 presidential campaign, about today�s mass exodus of staffers from Team Newt.

GOP Consultant One: �Knew this was coming� I bet Perry is in this thing sooner rather than later � these guys aren�t jumping off without somewhere else to land.�

GOP Consultant Two: �Knowing all those guys, they are neither impetuous not impulsive. I also have never seen a two week vacation two weeks after entering [the race]; I took that as portentous.�

GOP Consultant Three: �Gingrich was clearly melting down, and Perry is clearly gearing up, so it was time for the switcheroo.�

Going to be an interesting campaign. I would really like Perry in the White House -- he has done really well with Texas. Get Palin or West as VP and you have quite the dream ticket.