Romney's Mich. Win Clouds GOP Race

Party Lacks A Front-Runner Heading Into Saturday's South Carolina Primary

(CBS/AP)  Mitt Romney's win in the Michigan Republican primary on Tuesday over John McCain and Mike Huckabee not only revived the former Massachusetts governor's presidential hopes, but also further complicated a GOP race already lacking a clear front-runner.

Romney himself said it was "very possible" that Republican voters don't know what they want in an appearance on CBS' The Early Show Wednesday, while seeking to downplay any expectations that his win in Michigan could give him a boost headed into Saturday's South Carolina primary.

"I think John McCain is way in the lead there but we'll give him a run for his money, and then comes Florida," Romney said. "I think one of the big surprises is that someone like Mayor Giuliani, who was leading in all these states, either no. 1 or no. 2, really hasn't been able to hold on to that lead in any way. I'd love to be able to pick up some portion of the delegates if I could, and maybe pull off some kind of surprise."

The South Carolina contest is followed on Jan. 29 by a primary in Florida, where former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani hopes to score a win and kick off a strategy based on amassing delegates in big states, especially those among the 21 holding GOP contests on Feb. 5.

Meanwhile, McCain, an Arizona senator, has risen to the lead in national polls while Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, continues to be the favorite of evangelical Christians, one of the Republican Party's most influential voting blocs.

In remarks Tuesday night, McCain sought to portray Romney's triumph in Michigan as nothing more than a win by a "native son" - a terms used to refer to candidates only viable in their home state. Romney was born in Detroit and his father, George Romney, was a three-term governor there and is still remembered fondly.

Romney won 39 percent of the primary vote, followed by McCain at 30 percent and Huckabee at 16 percent. Folling them were Ron Paul with six percent, Fred Thompson with four percent and Rudy Giuliani with three percent.

"Michigan welcomed their native son with their support," McCain told the AP. The Arizona senator congratulated Romney and vowed to "win in South Carolina" on Saturday. (Watch McCain video)

Huckabee, too, already campaigning in the next primary state, said in Lexington, S.C.: "We're going to win South Carolina. We put a flag in the ground here Saturday." He also jabbed at Romney, who has poured at least $20 million of his personal fortune into his bid: "We need to prove that electing a president is not just about how much money a candidate has."

Three GOP candidates now have won in the first four states to vote in the 2008 primary season.

"There has been no Republican primary like this since the dawn of primaries," said CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield. "They are an organized party - they like a frontrunner. This time, good luck finding one."

Of the three GOP candidates competing hard in Michigan, Romney needed a victory the most to right a bid weakened by searing losses in Iowa and New Hampshire.

"Momentum has yet to make an appearance for any candidate but his win in Michigan gets the monkey off Romney's back for the moment," writes CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.(Read Ververs' full analysis)

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Complete Michigan returns

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A muddle from the start, the GOP race has only grown more fluid as the first states voted over the past two weeks.

Huckabee won the Iowa caucuses, McCain prevailed in New Hampshire's primary, and Romney was second to both - but claimed victory in scarcely contested Wyoming. Fred Thompson, the former Tennessee senator, is camping out in South Carolina looking for his first win. Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor, is doing the same in Florida, which votes Jan. 29.

"The more candidates that are in there, the worse it is it seems to me for John McCain, who is now leading in the national polls," said CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer.

Without an established front-runner South Carolina may not serve as a firewall for any of the candidates like it has in the past. In 2000, McCain's momentum came to a halt there and his loss put George W. Bush on a clear trajectory to his party's nomination after a campaign that saw Bush accused to using under-handed tactics to secure victory.

This year, Huckabee has been accused to using push-polls containing disparaging information and charges against his rivals, including Thompson, according to the Associated Press. One country chairman of Thompson's campaign reported receiving a call containing attacks on Thompson's position on abortion and his past job as a lobbyist.

The group behind the calls is promising to make 1 million more of them in advance of the primary despite the Huckabee campaign's calls for them to stop. "We know nothing about that and don't condone it. Anyone who is doing that in an effort to help us needs to stop. This does not reflect the positive spirit of the campaign," a spokesperson told the AP.

"In 2008, the firewall isn't there, at least not for any one candidate," Ververs wrote for CBS's Horserace blog. "There is no front-runner on the ropes for it to save and the field is fragmented like never before. But the ugliness appears to be alive and well."

[antoniof123]

The Republicans should look at the turn out for the Democrats verses the Republican turn out. There is a reason why so many more Democrats and Independents are turning out this year for the Democrats.

People are tired of the compassionate conservative.

People are saying if this is compassionate then we don''t want it.

[Krazcarl]

I''m a bleeding heart liberial but John McCain is worthy of respect and one of the best cannidites in the field I''ve concidered oh no I couldn''t it wouldn''t be right but the democratic field is light and bitter in my opinion a lot of wannabes. Is it me or has politics gotten shallow Nixon?

[prinzowhales]

Did you see the filthy creature lurking in the background from McClown?...the ''independent'' Senator Liebermann...

McCain is married to the Mob...he is a Keating Five S&L crook...He is for open borders...He is for the Police State...Just how stupid are the Republican voters of Michigan?!!

On the other side, the CIA operator of the ''Daily Kos'' is telling any Democratic turkeys silly enough to listen to vote for Romney...A man who is going to continue the Bush foreign policy of war, war, war and, of course, war.

Michigan, a state wrapped up in recession is voting for two of the people who represent those responsible for their plight--Romney...with his wealth off shore and McCain...in the pocket of the Banks and financiers and the Mob...

And Giuliani?--Anyone contemptible enough to vote for this monster who betrayed the first responders, lied about WTC7 and has has crooked relations with mob figures--aside from being a transvestite and open borders servant of the Wall Street...any voter contemptible enough to vote for him...deserves him.

[gunownerdan]

It doesn''t matter which party or "front runner" you support. Corporate fascism is on the march in America!

[denn034]

A part of me that reveres the founding of America for religious freedom identifies with Romney but, the Reagan Republican in me favors Thompson. Romney will probably win this but, here''s wishing all the best for Thompson.

[micma-2009]

It doesn''t matter which Republican wins Michigan. All any of them have to offer is a third Bush term. Four more wars anyone?

[tylenol6]

European press: "It wasn''t a miracle Hillary won via rigged vote." Michael Carmichael
Global Research

According to the report, Ron Paul should have finished 3rd, instead of 5th. It appears Obama and Ron Paul were primary targets of VOTE RIGGING operations in New Hampshire.

[shanev137]

It''s going to be McCain and Hillary.

[pakaal]

denn034 wrote: "A part of me that reveres the founding of America for religious freedom...".

If you revere that, the one candidate you can certainly cross off your list is Huckabee. On the anniversary of "Religious Freedom Day" (that''s today, in case you didn''t mark it on your calendars), Huckabee says "what we need to do is amend the Constitution so it%u2019s in God%u2019s standards".

Hey Huck, look out, here comes a smack-down from our founding fathers:

"no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish enlarge, or affect their civil capacities."

Jefferson & Madison, 1779

[pakaal]

crzmeat: "I''''m a bleeding heart liberial but John McCain is worthy of respect"

Sorry, the second half of that phrase conclusively refutes the first half.

[pakaal]

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and native son of Michigan whose late father once was the governor, was more confident, declaring in Grand Rapids: "Michigan is going to vote for a Romney again!"

And with the Democrats helping you trying to stay in the race, you might actually win it, Mitt!

[greatdrivew]

The GOP stands a snowball''s chance in Hell of winning the White House. Unfortunately for the world though, that heat-resistant snowball exists, and her name is Hillary. She is the GOP''s, and specifically McCain''s, only hope for winning next November. That is true because Hillary is the second most divisive person in America, and McCain will beat her if she wins her primary. If on the other hand Barack wins the primary, then the GOP stands a 0% [zero] chance of winning.

So other than the fact that the GOP is DOA, what''s the moral here? Simple: John McCain''s career is over. He may win his primary, and perhaps even the Whtie House, but it will only be because of massive revolt against his opposing candidate. And that "My friends," means John McCain is nothing more that a second choice; a hack. Which is exactly how his one liners came across in the last debate. And what''s with the WEIRD smile after every one liner, John? Are you amusing yourself, or going senile?

Well, in closing, if Hillary wins, then we have an octogenarian to look forward to as a leader in his second term. Gee, what a way to move America and the world forward into the next century.

[donbl1]

During the NH primary, McCain and Lieberman discussed ...... well, you know..... McCain/Lieberman? That would be interesting.

[cfin5]

I have to say this,....GLENN BECK ROCKED TODAY! Best show that I''ve heard on the radio for awhile.

[excoachken]

If Glenn Beck is the best radio you can get, get away from the radio. He is a fool and a bigot, but otherwise great to listen to.

[cfin5]

Ahw come on coach, listen to todays broadcast for yourself. The closest thing I can get on the radio on the other hand is a PBS station, which isn''t all that bad either.

[pakaal]

%u201CThe key issue of real faith is that it never can be forced on someone. And never would I want to use the government institutions to impose mine or anybody else%u2019s faith or to restrict.%u201D
-Huckabee, December 2007

"I have opponents in this race who do not want to change the Constitution.... What we need to do is amend the Constitution so it%u2019s in God%u2019s standards."
-Huckabee January 15, 2008

Lies make baby Jesus cry, Huck.

[pakaal]

Today on the stump in South Carolina, Mike Huckabee said %u201Cwe ought to put a hiatus on people who come here and give them permits if they come from countries that sponsor and harbor terrorists.%u201D Huckabee adviser Jim Pinkerton backtracked later, saying %u201C%u2018Hiatus%u2019 is synonym for thorough review."

Huck, do me a favor and tell your advisor what I said about lies making baby Jesus cry, OK? ''Cause there are many synonyms for "hiatus" and "thorough review" is not one of them.

[candide777]

Lies make baby Jesus cry, Huck.
Posted by pakaal at 07:46 PM : Jan 15, 2008

LMAO!

Huckabee lied through his teeth during the debate when he said that his allegiance to the tenet that wives should submit to their husbands had nothing to do with being president. The Huckster is an operative for the Judeo-Christian American Taliban. Once in office, we''ll start seeing notices such as: "The Ministry of Vice and Virtue forbids women from raising their voices in public." (paraphrasing from the Kite Runner)

[feelfree1]

Related:

"A Nevada judge has ordered MSNBC to include Representative Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic presidential candidate, in Tuesday night%u2019s debate in Nevada, the Associated Press reports."

"Charles Thompson, a senior district court judge for Clark County, Nevada, said he would issue an injunction stopping the debate if Mr. Kucinich is excluded."

Looks like the Corporate Fascists lose another one.

[danstoned]

Posted by donbl1 McCain/Lieberman?

NYC mayor Bloomberg has yet to announce his independent candidacy for president. If he runs he will siphon votes from the Dems if Hillary is their candidate, and from any and all of the hapless lying ConDumbs, especially if they are dumb enough to pick another Southerner or a Neocon (and they are dumb enough to pick either) so THAT could be interesting.

[fstop100]

there noses grow when they talk!

[feelfree1]

Related:

"European press: It wasn''t a miracle - Hillary won via a rigged vote"

www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7794

[sgtrds]

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and native son of Michigan whose late father once was the governor, was more confident, declaring in Grand Rapids: "Michigan is going to vote for a Romney again!"

Posted by pakaal at 07:03 PM : Jan 15, 2008

He''s only partially right. He''s a son of a something alright, but it''s not Michigan........

[hypnotoad72]

I have my heart set on Obama, for his stance on domestic issues, but if he loses the nomination, I think I know for whom I am voting.

I truly wish Mayor Bloomberg would run. His record seems to be the most solid of anybody''s.

[j-whitman]

Watch out folks -- Huckajsesus just said he wants to change our Constitution to the word of the Living God

[feelfree1]

This is going to be funny.

Because of the authoritarian tactics of the Democrat Party, Mike gravel and Dennis Kucinich- the only candidates worthy of consideration among the Democrats- will also be the only candidates on the ballot in Michigan, along with AIPAC/Corporate-stooge and long-time war-monger, Killary Clinton.

I hope she loses big in this contest.

[j-whitman]

2/3 of the Republican Primary in Michigan say the economy is in the tank

[feelfree1]

Related:

"Kucinich is only Dem visiting state"

"Campaign stops include Dearborn"

www.pressandguide.com/stories/011608/loc_20080116001.shtml

Why would they vote for anyone else?

[pakaal]

hypnotoad72: "I truly wish Mayor Bloomberg would run. His record seems to be the most solid of anybody''s."

Solid in his alliances, maybe, he''s been a staunch supporter of Bush''s foreign policy (as well as that''s worked out) from day one, and voted to reelect him in 2004. He''s got some good points, but so far I''m not very convinced there''s any reason to vote for him over the candidates we already have out there. We''ll see - he''ll probably be in or out for sure by March.

[stezzer]

When America elects a President, it elects the leader of the free world. Mitt is the chap the world needs right now.

A good man, but no pushover. A solid family background and an excellent fiscal record.

Go on Mitt, I''m not the only Limey rooting for you.

[seafang]

So why do the Democrats think they need another Democrat candidate from New York in Bloomberg; I thought most Dems were pretty happy with either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama. Of course Bloomberg could run as a Republican since nobdy else on the Republican ticket seems viable.

[michellem99-2009]

I will not vote for him. No think ye.

[cbville72]

Watch out folks -- Huckajsesus just said he wants to change our Constitution to the word of the Living God


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by j-whitman at 08:34 PM : Jan 15, 200


No he didn''t.
Please get a life that is not sitting in front of computer for 10 hours a day plucking mindless drivel.
Thank you.

[cbville72]

Watch out folks -- Huckajsesus just said he wants to change our Constitution to the word of the Living God


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by j-whitman at 08:34 PM : Jan 15, 2008

Do you refer to the Rev. Jesus Jackson or Allah Sharpton this way too?

[tylenol6]

I just read billionaire Bloomberg was in China and he
stated he thought illegal immigration was wrong. So that
means Bloomberg is PRO-AMNESTY...WATCH OUT FOR
BLOOMBERG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[idlepugilist]

All the noise about Mitt. McCain is the only sane Republican in the lot, and he''ll hope to be given a post in Hillary''s administration after November.

[tylenol6]

Mike Bloomberg stated, "Our challenge is to open our markets to foreign workers." WATCH OUT FOR MIKE.......

[j-whitman]

cbville72,,, Nope, why should I ??? They don''t want to radically change our Constitution, Huckajesus does

[j-whitman]

cbville72,,,, If you haven''t figured it out yet -- America doesn''t need another President with a Jesus Vision

[boatdocster]

Yea, Mitt 8.4, you go buddy

He''s like the Kristanna Loken in Terminator 3; he/she just keeps changing...

First he was gay rights, pro choice in Mass;
Then he became a born again GOP man for the Man-Woman marriage amendment and pro life.
In his latest version he is a supportive person for factory workers and pro union...

With Super Tuesday coming him, we will see either a fire and brimstone Southern Preacher or a wrangling Mid-West Cowboy (hopefully not the gutless GWB, bend over for the Saudi''s type variety); maybe both!

[cbville72]

cbville72,,, Nope, why should I ??? They don''''t want to radically change our Constitution, Huckajesus does


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Posted by j-whitman at 09:41 PM : Jan 15, 2008

When and where did he say it. Or is this another one of you mythic facts...like the cookies that were mailed to the White House and were covered with a "white substance" that YOU were reporting as a biological attack. You were telling everybody and their liberal brother about that. My hunch is that your brain is filled with "white substance"
Thank You.

[cbville72]

Hi Everybody!! My name is jwhitman and i''ll be here in front of my computer all day long. I like to throw liberal rhetoric that has no basis in fact on the boards all day long. I haven''t yet figured out what i''m gonna do with my lfe even though i''m in my mid 50''s now. I just know that I like Hillary because she''s progressive. I don''t know what that word means but it sounds good.
See you on the chat rooms.

[j-whitman]

cbville72,,,, Try paying attention instead of running your mouth --- He said it, like it or not

[j-whitman]

cbville72,,, Actually, I''m voting for Obamma

[michellet35]

Romney will be a totally awesome President. Better get used to the sound of "President Romney", all you loser libs out there.

[gumbystretch]

A win for Mitt is a win for shameless panderers everywhere. Can''t wait until South Carolina and Florida voters end this guy''s run.

Did anyone else see how Romney went out and cut McCain''s legs out during his concession speech? Romney went on with his victory speech purposely to undercut McCain, which is completely classless. I just hope American voters were watching to see the real jerk Mitt Romney is.

[graygrizzly-2009]

Posted by SgtRDS at 08:18 PM : Jan 15, 2008

"He''''s only partially right. He''''s a son of a something alright, but it''''s not Michigan........"

Grrr...what intellect SgtRDS. Go Mitt!

[ontheleft]

Whoever gets the Repuglican nomination is going to have to appeal to the religious right wing because they are among the last remaining gullible group of voters who still support the Repuglicans. Giuliani and Romney are out because of their ''loose morals'' which leaves the choice between McCain and Huckabee. If the religious right prevails it''s going to be Huckabee.

Huckabee of course is a minister who is probably involved in either a child porn ring or frequents men''s bathrooms - he just hasn''t been exposed yet.

[cbville72]

cbville72,,,, Try paying attention instead of running your mouth --- He said it, like it or not


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Posted by j-whitman at 09:52 PM : Jan 15, 2008

Like I said before...No he didn''t
I also asked you when and where and predictably you had no answer. No never really do actually. It''s kind of amusing.
I want Allah Sharpton and Jesus Jackson to run. I''d like to hear them rhyme during their speaches.