Mitt Romney is anticipating polls opening in Florida Tuesday with the enthusiasm of a candidate who's surged back into front-runner status in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Newt Gingrich is still full of fight, saying Romney may have buried him temporarily with a big spending spree but now labels his rival as a liberal Republican.

Gingrich rode a triumphant wave into Florida after a South Carolina victory nine days ago. But since then, Romney and his allies have pummeled the former House speaker on TV and on the campaign trail. Romney turned in two strong debate performances,
while Gingrich faltered.

GOP officials in Florida are anticipating a big turnout, more than 2 million voters, up from a record 1.9 million in the Republican primary in 2008.