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Mitt Romney's Michigan Plight

February 17, 2012 RSS Feed Print

The Michigan presidential primary on February 28 could be a head-on collision with political reality for Mitt Romney.

On the surface, Romney seems to have many advantages. The Republican candidate was born in Detroit. His father George was head of American Motors Corp. and also served as governor of the state. And on Thursday, Romney won the endorsement of Gov. Rick Snyder, and he has a strong organization in Michigan.

[Poll: Republicans on Verge of Political Death.]

But Romney has lost his lead. A new poll by the Detroit News and CNN has former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum with 34 percent of the likely vote to Romney's 30.

Romney's problem in Michigan is the same as it is nationally—conservative voters don't see him as truly one of them, and he hasn't been able to generate much enthusiasm for his candidacy among other segments of the electorate.

But in Michigan, Romney's plight is more acute because, as a native son, he has the home-field advantage and has been expected to win.

"It's still a race up for grabs but if Santorum were to break through in Michigan it would be huge," says Frank Donatelli, chairman of the GOPAC political action committee and former White House political director for President Ronald Reagan. Donatelli predicts that the nomination contest won't be over any time soon even if Romney pulls out a win in Michigan.

Adds another senior Republican strategist: "If Romney loses Michigan, he's got a mountain of trouble."

[Obama's Re-election Chances Looking Good.]

Romney has been intensifying his attacks on Santorum and is about to hit Santorum with the full weight of a planned massive TV ad campaign.

Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, has been emphasizing his support for right-to-work policies that forbid compulsory union membership—a popular view among many conservatives. He is attacking Santorum for voting against a proposed federal right-to-work law as a senator, and says Santorum was a congressional ally of "big labor."

It's unclear what the impact will be of Romney's opposition to the federal bailout of the auto industry, based in Michigan. Many Michigan voters were disappointed by his stand but many conservatives who are likely to vote in the primary back Romney's position opposing the federal bailout, which Santorum shares.

Tags:
Rick Santorum,
Michigan,
politics,
Mitt Romney

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To Alan G Phillips of Il:

Great post until you confused me with your following ideal for a future leader:

"What will lead us to this future President living and teaching traditional values, protecting small business, corporate growth, creating up to twenty million new jobs at home?"

So I had to wonder, which traditional values do you mean and will that president also want to Impose those traditional values by mandates on the people? Thinking of small businesses, my curiosity is how will you want them protected when all they need protecting From basically is government restrictions and rules and regulations that stiffle the free market? And how should corporate growth be protected; mightn't we better assign personal responsiblity to corporate decision makers so that we have an ethical marketplace? Yes, remove the shield of corporate responsibility from predatory executives and have them answer for their decisions. Also, your phrase 'creating twenty million new jobs' has me thinking of government hiring for 'make work' that only produces illusions of prosperity by shuffling money around while the rulers take their "slice" of everything.

As David Henry Thoreau agreed, "The best government is that which governs least".

Small Constitutional government is the most successful experiment in all of political history, and we should revive it now for the good of all.

Of course right now Ron Paul is moving the ball upfield for us, so to speak. When liberty wins, we all win.

John of NY 10:04AM February 21, 2012

THE REAL BATTLE FOR AMERICA 2016?

There have always been surprises resulting from ranking and speculating about the person who will be a future presidential nominee. One would expect most of those names being mentioned, would surface from a background of prior political service, becoming nominees in 2012. Yet, in recent weeks, in fact the last several years we have focused our attention on some leaders who were not only politically incompetent, but lived unethical, devious and dishonest lives. Former Senator John Edwards, Governor Mark Sanford, Senator Ingle, former Governor Blagojevich, and many others have awakened us to the fact that prior political service is no guarantee of fidelity, honesty, and ultimate representation of the American people. This election cycle I believe is witnessing an anti incumbency modality hitherto not seen in recent years.

Where should Americans look for qualified, honest, caring, public servants? Obviously, the original founders looked among themselves for servants of the people. The original fifty-five framers of our Constitution included; shippers, farmers, investors, retirees, lawyers, one minister, a college administrator, and most founders were of good reputation. They were, “give me liberty or give me death” representatives of the people. Only nine of the fifty five actually worked for government compensation.

Where will we find the candidate who will work as a national servant, committed totally to creating jobs, reducing corporate and individual taxes, promoting a strong economy based on free enterprise constitutional liberties and our form of government? Will this future nominee be faithful to both civil and solemn oaths (like marriage) and will the candidate’s children be an asset to American society? Will the nominee stand rock solid against radical leftists, right wingers, lobbyists, special interest groups, rogue nations, terrorists and ultimately swear to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States so help him God, if elected?

How will the nation identify a true grassroots nominee of the people, who will serve for a dollar a year, in the tradition of Abraham Lincoln? What will lead us to this future President living and teaching traditional values, protecting small business, corporate growth, creating up to twenty million new jobs at home? Will this person come to us through public relations imaging and photo opportunities? No, this servant will be identified while walking among the American people stating personal convictions and listening to the advice and suggestions from the public.

This nominee when chosen president will give 24/7 to protect and proudly lead this great country. When elected, this public servant will give the nation pride and vision once again, in its history, and achievements. This candidate of the people will stand boldly in the global assembly of the world and proudly extol American individualism and achievement.

Alan Phillips

Alan G Phillips of IL 3:15PM February 20, 2012

Ken Walsh's Washington

A longtime chief White House correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, Kenneth T. Walsh has covered five presidents beginning with Ronald Reagan. Along with other U.S. News writers, he continues to provide insight into the White House of Barack Obama and the world of presidential campaigns.

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