Romney Hopes Family Name Will Resonate With Michigan Democrats
DETROIT -- The big wildcard for handicapping tomorrow's Michigan GOP primary is trying to decipher how many independents and Democrats will come out to vote. Since Hillary Clinton is the only major Democratic candidate on the ballot, many non-Republicans may cross ranks and cast ballots on the GOP side.
It's widely assumed that the more independent and Democratic voters who come out, the better John McCain's prospects. But Mitt Romney isn't so sure.
"I don't know how Democrats will vote in a Republican primary," Romney said to reporters at the North American International Auto Show. "That's not something I'm terribly used to. I expect there will be some Democrats who say, 'Gosh, that Romney fellah, isn't he related to George Romney, and didn't George Romney do a lot to try and help our state?' Maybe I can get some of those votes."
Many voters in tomorrow's primary will be too young to remember Romney's father, who served as governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969, but his name still resonates here.
Many pundits have speculated that anything but a first-place finish for Romney would spell the end of his campaign, but the former Massachusetts governor made it abundantly clear tonight that he has no plans to give up, even if he suffers another disappointing finish tomorrow.
"I do believe overall I'm going to win, and one thing is for sure, I'm not going to stop at the end of Michigan," Romney said. "Win or lose, I'm going on to South Carolina, Nevada, and all the way to February 5th, and hopefully beyond."
Romney held his press conference after touring the auto show with a huge swarm of cameramen and reporters in tow. Asked what kind of car he drives, Romney said that he currently drives a Mustang and that he and his wife are also the owners of a Cadillac SRX, a Chevy Silverado and a 1962 Rambler that his sons gave him for his 60th birthday.
"I've had a foreign car or two in the mix over the years," Romney added. "I must admit I prefer American-made cars for a lot of reasons."