Newt to GOP: Pledge $30 million before Oct. 21st and I'll compete for the nomination

[Amerigo Vespucci]

MARIETTA, Ga. (CNN) — Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich edged closer Thursday to launching a possible run for the GOP presidential candidacy in 2008, telling supporters that if they pledge at least $30 million to his campaign over a three-week period starting Monday and ending Oct. 21, he will compete for the nomination.

Gingrich chose Thursday, the 13th anniversary of the signing of his "Contract With America," to launch his "Solutions Day" campaign, which he said is a search for bi-partisan answers to the country's major challenges.

While never mentioning the 2008 race in his speech Thursday night, Gingrich outlined what sounded like a campaign message when he called for "real change, not the same old stuff."

He said "very bold" proposals are needed to bring the United States government into the 21st century. "I think, as a general rule, that levees should not break, that bridges should not fall, that students should actually learn," Gingrich said.

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