Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich pitched himself as the boldest presidential candidate with the right vision for America before a crowd of a few hundred supporters Wednesday night at the Gainesville Civic Center.

Gingrich stopped in Gainesville as part of his four-day Georgia bus tour before the state's Super Tuesday primary. He's looking to pick up some big victories when 10 states make their choice for the Republican nominee on Tuesday.

As part of that, Gingrich told voters winning in Georgia is "very, very important."

During the rally before an exuberant Gainesville crowd, Gingrich criticized the policies of President Barack Obama, calling his world-view "the opposite of reality."

"This is a president who combines radicalism with incompetence," he said.

Meanwhile, Gingrich also hoped to distinguish himself from the other Republican hopefuls by saying they were not bold enough.

"We're not going to get America fixed on timidity," he said.

During his speech, Gingrich highlighted his policies on cutting taxes and regulation to aid economic recovery, adopting a firmer stance on an Iranian nuclear program, bolstering America's military and increasing domestic oil production.

Gingrich also reiterated his promise to bring rising gas prices back to $2.50 a gallon.

Gov. Nathan Deal and Hall County Commissioner Ashley Bell were among the dignitaries who introduced the candidate at the Civic Center ballroom, which was nearly full with supporters and members of the national media.

In introducing his former House colleague, Deal called his longtime ally a "man of big ideas" and said "he has demonstrated he can take those ideas and put them into practice."

Gingrich took the stage with his wife, Callista, and Deal, to a roar of applause.

"The governor told me we'd have a positive, enthusiastic crowd," he said to supporters. "He may have understated the local reception."

Gingrich is counting on that kind of reception in Georgia to help him win the state, which offers the most delegates on Super Tuesday.

After choosing not to campaign in Tuesday's Arizona and Michigan primaries, Gingrich finished far behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Thus, political analysts have said a strong showing on Super Tuesday is essential to the survival of his campaign.

In his critique of fellow Republican candidates, Gingrich blamed "purely" negative ads from Romney for his defeats in Iowa and Florida. He also dismissed Santorum's record as a fiscal conservative.

During his speech, Gingrich pointed to his leadership as House speaker as proof of his ability to execute big objectives in balancing the budget and cutting taxes.

"I have a vision for this country," he said. "It's a vision of the most productive economy in the world and with 4 percent unemployment."

Gingrich's promises for bold ideas continued in his points on energy policy and national security, tying the two together.

"I regard American energy independence as a national security issue," he proclaimed.

That's a concept that's been pushed by Republicans and Democrats, but Gingrich used it to springboard into a discussion of increasing domestic oil production.

"Remember, if we go to energy independence, not only do we no longer bow to the Saudis, but we pay off (debt to) the Chinese with the royalties," he said.

The candidate has also promised to lower gas prices.

That message was a popular one in Gainesville, with supporters holding campaign signs showing a gas pump reading $2.50.

Before the rally, 14-year-old Noah Daugherty of Covington was passing out the signs as the crowd poured into the Civic Center. He was volunteering with his mother, Pam, and his 12-year-old brother, Jonah.

When asked about the meaning of the sign, Daugherty was quick with an explanation.

"Gas prices have been going out of control under the current regime of Obama, and Newt will be able to fix it," he said, citing a cut to EPA regulations and expanded oil drilling.

One supporter in the audience asked the candidate to talk about his proposed military policy.

Gingrich took aim at the president's handling of recent Quran burning by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and the administration's apology after riots broke out in the country.

"You have my commitment that as commander in chief, I will not apologize for the young men and women in uniform," he said.

He also proposed "rebuilding" and "modernizing" the military.

As expected, most of the crowd in attendance showed up with Gingrich as their preferred candidate.

Cliff McCulley and some fellow Gingrich supporters from Barrow County showed up hours early, passing out stickers with a bald eagle that read "Fed Up."

McCulley said he would support any of the Republican candidates over the president, but he's voting for Gingrich on Tuesday.

"I believe he's got the fire," he said, praising the former speaker's "tenacity and drive" to make a difference.

But a few in attendance were still deciding on a Republican candidate. Flowery Branch resident Patti Golab came to the rally with her husband, Ted, a Gingrich backer.

After the speech, Golab said she "really liked" what Gingrich had to say, but still had not decided between the former speaker and Romney.

"I just wonder if (Gingrich) has mass appeal," she said.

However, other supporters were undeterred by the candidate's recent showings in primaries.

Glenn Thompson of Pendergrass said he'd prefer that Gingrich had won more primaries.

"But I still think he's got a good chance coming off of a strong Super Tuesday," he said.