While Romney clearly needed to win in Michigan to remain a viable candidate for the Republican nomination, his 39%-30% victory over McCain is unimpressive.

Unlike McCain in New Hampshire or Huckabee in Iowa, Romney was a clearly a favorite son candidate in Michigan. His father, George W. Romney, was governor there in the 1960s. His brother Scott Romney and ex-sister-in-law Ronna Romney live in Michigan and have been active in the state Republican Party. In 1998, Scott unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Michigan Attorney General. In 1996, Ronna was the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat held by long-time incumbent Democrat Carl Levin and lost that year. Despite his advantages, all that Romney did was keep his faltering campaign alive.

McCain hurt himself by being too honest about the near-future prospects of Michigan's auto industry. It was just bad politics to talk about his support for higher auto mileage standards and his opposition to oil drilling in the Alaskan Artic. I am certain that the Democrats and Independents whom McCain was attempting to woo--given the lack of any real contest in the Democratic primary--are also concerned about the health of Michigan's auto industry. He missed a golden opportunity to knock Romney out of the race. To maintain his post-New Hampshire momentum, McCain now needs to win in South Carolina, or at least in Nevada, on January 19th.

Huckabee has failed to repeat his Iowa sucess in the subsequent three contests--Wyoming, New Hampshire and Michigan--finishing no better than a distant third. If Huckabee loses to McCain in South Carolina, his Iowa caucus victory will look more-and-more like just a flash in the pan. Huckabee may yet prove to be an also-ran like past Iowa winners Bob Dole and Democrat Dick Gephardt in 1988.

I agree with you that the author downplayed the Romney ties, so thanks for paying attention. And though sad but true, McCain's honesty has always gotten him to trouble, even though I've appreciated it and will thus support his presidential push. I not only want McCain to win - I BADLY want him to win.

More importantly it will be interesting to see how the voters disperse if/when Thompson and Giuliani drop out. Considering what he stands for it probably won't matter where Ron Paul's votes go once he gets creamed, but I have a feeling he's in it for the long haul considering his money stash and spending habits.

But I think it's time for Giuliani and Thompson to exit. I'm hoping those votes go to McCain, but it's hard to say. Hopefully we'll never see another Huckabee win, either. If I need a priest, I'll go to one.

While I agree that Mitt's Michigan roots were are small help in winning, I believe there is more to it. I believe that this week voters FINALLY saw the real Mitt. I have been following news on Mitt Romney for about a decade. He is a brilliant financial man who knows how to bring people together to solve serious problems. I cannot think of a time in history when we have needed such a person more than we do now. My husband and I have been waiting and waiting for him to emphasize his ablitities that would benefit this country. My hope is that voters begin to think for themselves. If Americans will study the issues and records of these candidates Mitt Romney will stand out as the clear choice for change for this country. If they continue to listen to the media, America lose once again.

It impressed the media. People turn on the teevee and hear pundits talking about how Romney is back on top, looking like a winner, grabbing victory from the jaws of defeat, etc. It might not allow him to win, but it keeps him alive. That's better than he could have hoped for a few days ago.

And it squelches a McCain comeback, at least for now. McCain looked like he was poised to take over with a win in Michigan, perhaps knocking out a couple of his rivals. His second place finish tells the others, at least in their minds, "Anything can happen. I could win the next primary."

Personally, I was hoping McCain would win. I liked the fact he walked into Michigan and told the auto workers, "Your old jobs ain't comin' back. We have to find new jobs for you." Romney told them he'd get their old jobs back, about the closest thing to a lie he could say and get away with it.

I too think there was more to Romney's win than ties to a state. I live in Florida and could care less who may have lived or governed here in the past. I care about my issues. I think most Americans can and do think for themselves, even it the media does attempt to manipulate those thoughts (sometimes successfully).

Romney actually believes he can bring the American automobile industry back to its needed world leadership position. He knows we need to be competitive. He knows the challenges of fossil fuels. I think he is actually the only candidate running who CAN viably assist us with economic needs. We need the most powerful American office to be held by a person who understands the complexities of a global economy. Sadly, it is money that shapes the future of the world, not religion. I would just be happy if someone who has good moral clarity along WITH economic leadership abilities would win the White House.

I think McCain is a bit too arrogant, and perhaps old, to be an effective leader anymore. I think his day in the sun is long since passed. And what a temper! I would not want to be a person on his staff to imply he might be wrong about immigration. I think Romney is correct in saying this is an economic issue, nothing more, nothing less.

We don't need new immigration laws, we probably just need to enforce the ones we have and work with corporate America to be more creative in making sure we stay a strong nation. I think Romney also understands a level global playing field is where we need to be. Let China and other countries manufacturing goods coming here have to abide by the same pay rates and working conditions as our employers do. Then we can be come a truly global society and watch America continue to win on ingenuity and first to market as we always have.

"Let China and other countries manufacturing goods coming here have to abide by the same pay rates and working conditions as our employers do" You seriously propose the US regulate employment law in every other country on the planet? Innnnteresting....

Romney's claims about not resting until he sees economic turnaround in Michigan and, especially, how he disagrees with McCain that some of the auto industry jobs aren't coming back is pandering at its worst. I know that Romney supporters place a lot of trust in his abilities as a business leader, but if you believe that Romney, as POTUS, can actually bring targeted economic improvement to Michigan or reverse decades of macro economic shifts away from the Detroit auto industry, then your faith in Romney is no longer logical. If you believe all those promises, then quite simply you believe he is magical.

Romney is the most bold face "tell people what they want to hear" politician we have today. The man reinvents himself for nearly every audience to which he speaks. One reason he's polling at about 14% nationally is because people just don't trust him. Winning Michigan will keep him in the race through Super Tuesday, but his only chance at the nomination is as the lessor of all evils. His base of support in the Mormon community is rock solid, but elsewhere it's very shallow.

America can do better than Romney. Much better.

@mudshrimpmoe that's my exact take on Romney, but you said better than I ever could.

why does everyone keep saying he needed this win so badly? if we would've come in second he still would have been in the lead with delegates. he now has come in first TWICE and second twice- making him the leader. Hello? I'm not the biggest fan but lets at least credit him with what hes already earned.

OK, I understand Romney is Mr. Pander and says what people want to hear. I'd actually like to see the auto industry make a comeback. Did he ever say how at all?

I appreciate optimism and heard the happy words, but did he have a plan whatsoever other than wanting it to happen? I want it to, but Detroit has to change somehow--ees take less, get rid of medical burden, get some sort of tax breaks, something.

Don't know if laid out any plan or not--if so, good for him, if not, whoosh, talk about empty...

John, I know as a writer you can't help but voice your feeling about Romney, it's evident you don't want him for president. Throwing him one bone doesn't cut it. You have your way of writing as many others have theirs. I'm not writing you to tell you that you have to be positive about Romney after a great big win, but how can your writing express so much personal dislike for someone? My guess is you have a hang up with his religion? Not that you would admit that, but God knows the truth, are you able to tell me the truth? I will only take your response as survey and give no response or argument. Unless you beg for it. Mr. Reichner

John's not going to beg for it. I doubt he cares what you think. I for one, don't have a huge problem with Mormonism (all religion is based on crazy myths, but maybe not all where forged by such a transparent con man as mormonism) but rather that Mitt is just a big old Mr. Pander Pants. He will say anything to be elected and is a huge phony.

I honestly and whole heartedly suggest that everyone interested in the economy and general state of America recovering to position similar to the time whe America was the most innovative, propserous and peaceful nation on the planet - take a look at Ron Paul.

<link>

Do yourselves a favor and don't let anyone else (especially the media) make up your mind on any candidate or issue...learn and explore for yourself. Not a single candidate, Republican or Democrat alike, can hold a candle to Dr. Paul on monetary, tax and inflation issues. Read all about it, then come back to this discussion and make fun of me if you feel the need. I had someone do this same exact thing to me months ago...and it was the best political advise I've received in my life.

Best of luck with your decision.
-MWF

If Mike Huckabee had made racial comments about a leading black candidate or sexist comments about a leading female candidate, he would have been castigated by the media. How he was able to launch his surge with religious bigotry is dumbfounding to me. It seems that everyone is oblivious to the obvious. In the event that Mitt Romney does not win the nomination, then history will show that Mike Huckabee pulled off the political crime of the century. It was Mike Huckabee that raised religious issues among Iowa evangelicals by comments toward Romney’s religion. As Huckabee’s tactics started to show in the Iowa polls, Mitt responded with his “Faith in America” speech. Romney was then forced to work on Damage control. Romney’s efforts in Iowa payed off and he continued to rise back in the polls but the damage gave him a second in a state he held firmly until Huckabee’s misuse of the public forum. McCain saw his window and concentrated on New Hampshire while Romney was being unduly “occupied” in Iowa. Romney was forced to agressively address things detracting from what his positive messaging had been and did so famously. Romney then relied on comparison ads to contrast differences. These ads were constantly referred to as “attack ads” by Huckabee, who continually portrayed him as “desperate”, and “attacking”. Now Huckabee, and John McCain for that matter, is able to capitalize on such tactics. Because of Huckabee’s misleading of the majority evangelical state of Iowa and with the ignorance of the media toward the Mormon religion, he flew under the radar of a nation that has worked since Lincoln to erase such bigotry. A majority of the nation now sees only that Mike Huckabee won the Iowa caucus and that John McCain won the New Hampshire primary yet know nothing of the back story. I think it important to present it.

Does no one tire of political politics? I just wanted to take a breath to say that I am proud of McCain for telling it like it is. It is one of the many reasons that I like the man. He means what he says. My kingdom for a leader who fits that bill.

Now, I would not vote for him, I am an Independent and I think the Democratic selection this election is incredible. But of the republicans he is easily the one I most respect, and the one I most trust. If our boy Mitt was half as much a stand up guy, there would be no competition among the Republicans. It is not his religion that holds him back, but his "amendable" principles, and the personality that allows for them.

So yay McCain, and booo Mitt!

So glad I kept that mature,

Den-