Updated

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Newt Gingrich is downplaying expectations for his performance in New Hampshire's Republican presidential primary, conceding Monday that he doesn't have the money or organization as rival Mitt Romney, who has maintained a solid lead in the state and served as governor in neighboring Massachusetts.

Discussing strategy with Fox News' Campaign Carl at a defense technology company in Londonderry, N.H., Gingrich noted that New Hampshire and Iowa -- the first two voting states in the nation -- often pick different winners.

New Hampshire voters often say "I'm not going to let people in Iowa tell me what to do," the former House speaker said.

The Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary kick off the presidential voting season in just a matter of weeks. After that comes South Carolina, and that, Gingrich says, is a "big deal" -- and could set up for a long primary fight.

While Romney has held a commanding lead in The Granite State, Gingrich scored a blow against his primary rival a few weeks ago when the state's influential newspaper, The Union Leader, backed Gingrich over Romney. The Leader also chose Sen. John McCain over Romney in the 2008 election cycle.

But Romney, unbowed, scored his own high-level endorsement Monday, from Manchester Mayor Tim Gatsas.

Watch Campaign Carl's full interview with Gingrich after the jump.