Gingrich grins talking about Valentine’s Day plans for Callista

Newt Gingrich gave teasingly few details about his Valentine’s Day plans for his wife Callista, but his answer was enough to elicit loud chuckles and blushes from the crowd.

“What are you going to do for your beautiful wife tomorrow on Valentine’s Day?” a woman attending a Hispanic fundraiser asked the candidate. People in the audience hooted audibly.

Almost (but not quite) embarrassed, Gingrich looked around to supporters on stage and joked, “After that question, I need something a little stronger than water."

“All I can promise you is that I believe she will quite happy tomorrow night,” he continued. “And we’re going to have a nice, little private – I think the first time in a while, we have a private dinner, and just hopefully exchange gifts and, you know, reconnect a little bit, but she’s uh -- “ Gingrich paused as cheers could be heard from the crowd, “You know?” A man behind him on the stage smiled knowingly.

The candidate, grinning, held his hands up, “But I’m not going to get into -- no more details!”

His comments come as the campaign is ramping up Callista’s public profile. Gingrich’s eyes twinkled when he acknowledged reports that yes, Callista would be having a more prominent role on the campaign trail.

On Tuesday, his wife will address the San Diego County Federation of Republican Women in the morning, her first solo appearance since a November book signing.

Most often seen smiling quietly beside her husband during his stump speech, Callista made two public speeches on Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference – first on the main stage to introduce her husband and later at a film screening.

Until now, Callista has enjoyed chatting with voters at rallies one-on-one but has mostly resisted taking the mic, doing so just once in Iowa and once in South Carolina.