Santorum leads in Romney's home turf of Michigan

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Riding a wave of momentum after sweeping three Republican presidential contests last week, Rick Santorum is now leading Mitt Romney in Michigan, according to a new poll.

Santorum leads among likely voters in the Michigan's February 28 primary, with 33 percent, according to a new survey from American Research Group. Romney wins 27 percent support, while Newt Gingrich garners 21 percent and Ron Paul takes 12 percent.

Among likely Republican primary voters who say they will definitely vote in the primary, 36 percent back Santorum, while 25 percent support Romney. Santorum's lead widens more dramatically among self-identified Republicans. The former Pennsylvania senator takes 42 percent of that group's support, while Gingrich takes 24 percent and Romney wins 18 percent.

The survey, with a four-point margin of error, was conducted February 11-12, a few days after Santorum swept the contests in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado. Before Santorum's hat trick, polls showed Romney leading in Michigan.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, speaking at the Detroit Economic Club Monday, said that he'll endorse a GOP candidate next week, the Associated Press reports. However, he wouldn't say which candidate he'll endorse.

The state should be friendly ground for the former Massachusetts governor. Romney was born and raised in Michigan, and his father was CEO of American Motors Corporation and then the state's governor. In the 2008 Republican presidential primary, Romney won Michigan, topping John McCain 39 percent to 30 percent.

Michigan and Arizona are the next two states to weigh in on the GOP contest, followed by Washington state. Those contests are quickly followed by "Super Tuesday" on March 6, when 10 states weigh in.

With Super Tuesday quickly approaching, the candidates will have less time to dedicate to individual states, and the race will become more nationalized. Among Republican voters nationally, Santorum is virtually tied with Romney, according to a new Pew poll. Conducted February 8-12, 30 percent of Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters favor Santorum while 28 percent favor Romney.

Sentiments could easily turn around before Super Tuesday -- Gingrich also experienced a surge of popularity in polls of GOP voters nationwide after winning the South Carolina primary, but he quickly fell behind again.

Still, as the GOP contest lingers on, some conservatives are getting anxious for the field to slim down, in order to avoid a brokered convention. The editors of the conservative magazine the National Review wrote on Monday that Gingrich should exit the race.

"It is not clear whether Gingrich remains in the race because he still believes he could become president next year or because he wants to avenge his wounded pride: an ambiguity that suggests the problem with him as a leader," they wrote.

[Lindag10]

The Republicans remind me of the horses on a merry-go-round. Up and down they all go as they run around in circles trying to convince voters they are the "real" conservative. LOL

[norcalruss]

This should be no surprise that Willard the Waffler is trailing in Michigan after saying that auto industry should WITHER on the vine. Myth Zombie is a spoiled rich prick who has no compassion for the working class or the poor and thinks he can ride his daddy's coattails in Michigan. I suspect the folks up there will NOT see him as a favorite son but rather a turncoat cousin.

[cattiej]

good comment...I couldna said it better myself. You go Rich!

[noloyalisti]

Sanitorium is just the latest flavor of the month. Unfortunately none of them are good flavors.

[kevjustice]

i believe romney once said he would not have bailed out the auto industry! are you kidding? another crazy statement. no wonder he's losing in michigan.

[ProgressNow]

And the nation in general...

[ProgressNow]

I have no problem with Sen Fecal-lube winning in Michigan, why?:

1) Mitt is flip-flopping lair of the first degree and deserves to lose his shirt!

2) Repubs deserve a huge pitiful loser like Santorum to represent what's left of their pitiful loser party.

[scotttx]

I have given up on the Republicans, I could care less who leads them but it won't be for Victory who ever it is, and I don't think I am alone, Sorry don't want to see them turn everything back to the way it was 100 years ago.

[Lindag10]

mariann: ah one of those who long for the "good old days" I see. Of course we had segregation, pollution by all the manufacturers, rivers catching on fire, no OSHA, strip mining, no safety standards for products but why should ANYONE care about such trivial things as that.

[mountainstates1]

Romney's "home turf" is not Michigan. I grew up in Michigan. His dad was governor back in the 60's and left the office in shame after he said he was "brainwashed". Romney voted against bailing out the auto industry in 2008 after the Republicans tanked our economy. Believe me, Mitt won't have many voting fans among Detroit's blue collar base!

[pandygirl]

If Mi voters really did their research on Santorum, they would think twice before they voted for him. He is not as right-winged as He says He is. Santorum campaigned for Pro-Abortionist who, were up for re-election. How can He insist on being the ultra- Conservative when He has campaigned for such people?
Also if they care about the deficit they would not like the fact that He voted in favor of raising the deficit Five times. People really need to do their research before they vote for anyone.

[cowtools82]

Romney had his wife call to accept the W&L Mock Convention nomination. Bush and Reagan accepted personally. Bad mojo.

[RN4Truth]

Could the fact that Romney wanted to walk away and let some of the auto industry "go bust" that may affect how people think of him regarding the economy?