Romney and Gingrich refuse to move dueling events

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Rival presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are set to appear at the same barbecue restaurant at the same time on the day of the South Carolina primary.

Both campaigns say they will not change schedules announced Friday that have the dueling candidates visiting Tommy’s Country Ham House in Greenville at 10:45 a.m. EST.

Romney’s campaign calls the scheduling a “coincidence” and says it won’t change its plans.

Gingrich campaign spokesman Nathan Naidu says Gingrich’s schedule came out first and that Gingrich is, in his words, “happy to have Gov. Romney join us at our event.”