Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney won the Michigan
Republican primary Tuesday night, reflecting voters' growing
concerns towards economy.
For Romney, who finished second in Iowa caucuses and New
Hampshire primary, it is a much needed victory in his home
state.
Although the vote count is not completed, all major media
outlets are projecting a Romney win.
According to preliminary results, he narrowly beat Sen. John
McCain and enjoyed a wider margin over former Arkansas governor
Mike Huckabee.
McCain conceded his loss, but said he had no regrets about his
Michigan strategy.
Meanwhile, Romney declared, "Tonight marks the beginning of a
comeback -- a comeback for America" at a victory rally.
CNN said in its analysis that the growing concerns toward
economy among Michigan voters helped Romney's victory over
McCain.
Exit polling found economy was the most important issue for
Republicans in Michigan, well ahead of the war in Iraq, immigration
and terrorism as half of the surveyed Michigan Republican primary
voters cited the economy as their biggest concern.
Michigan's economic crisis, fueled by a downward spiral in the
auto industry and depressed real estate market, has been a major
topic for the presidential candidates.
The state's unemployment rate reached 7.4 percent, much higher
than the national rate of 4.7 percent.
Romney, 60, has stumped very aggressively in Michigan, reminding
voters of his native son appeal and his time spent creating jobs in
the private sector.
"I know why jobs come and why they go" is a standard Romney
stump line.
At a campaign stop, Romney declared: "We're going to do it
today."
In comparison, McCain's strategy in Michigan has been based
around the same themes that propelled him to victory in New
Hampshire last week -- a profound record of service in and out of
office and a promise to provide "straight talk" to voters.
The senator from Arizona, 71, had also hoped to appeal to
Democrats and independents who can vote in the Republican primary
under state law.
McCain won both groups overwhelmingly in his 2000 primary
victory over then-Texas governor George W. Bush.
However, early exit polling suggested that fewer Democrats and
independents were taking part in the Republican primary than they
did eight years ago, which is bad news for him and therefore is
good news for Romney.
On the Democratic side, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York is the
only front-runner on the ballot.
Party officials voted to strip Michigan of its Democratic
delegates for its decision to schedule the primary so early and
therefore the Democratic race in Michigan has no significance.
Tight race for Republican candidates
Looking ahead, the next battle for Republicans will be the Jan.
19 primary in South Carolina, where McCain is well positioned to
win.
The results from the Michigan primary ensured that Romney is
still in the game, but it also indicates a still tight race among
Republican candidates.
Each of Iowa, New Hampshire and Michigan picked a different
favorite for the national Republican candidate in the upcoming
final with the Democratic competitor .
Meanwhile, former mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani, is playing a
different game which focuses on bigger states such as Florida.
The moment of truth for the Republican nomination battle will
not come earlier than Feb. 5, when more than 20 states will
vote.
(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2008)
