WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online)  -  UPDATED: As speculation grows concerning a possible withdrawal from the campaign, a reliable source has just confirmed the former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich will continue his candidacy.

In a city where politics is a sport and the only thing to spread faster than fact is speculation, this much is clear, the senior staff of the presidential campaign of Newt Gingrich has resigned.What that means for his presidential campaign is not clear.

Rick Tyler, the campaign spokesman who has been with the former Speaker of the House , in numerous capacities, for a very long time, is among those who have left the campaign.

In fact, Tyler is the source for the numerous reports rapidly spreading throughout the media and the blogosphere confirming this surprising news.

Included in the exodus is Rob Johnson, the campaign manager and unnamed "senior strategists" along with aides to the campaign in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Reports indicate that it was the decision of the departing team members who did not agree with the "direction of the campaign".

What that means is not clear and is the subject of growing speculation and conjecture in numerous reports.It will keep the talking heads of the pundit class busy for some time.

Of course, it is precisely that kind of obscure comment given to a hungry Washington media which gives rise to the speculation which has begun and causes "feeding frenzies" in a press pool on high alert inside the beltway, hunting for a story.

The sources confirming the departures also confirm that the candidate told his departing staff that he intends to stay in the race. As of this report, the candidate has not yet clarified the matter.