Posted on 01/15/2008 7:13:48 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Conservatives, mainline Republicans and family history made it Mitt Romney's day in Michigan, underscoring the fractured nature of the 2008 Republican presidential race as he became the third GOP winner in the first three high-profile contests.
In addition to restoring the former Massachusetts governor's fortunes, the outcome underscored Arizona Sen. John McCain's challenges translating support centered on independents and moderates in a party dominated by conservatives and mainline Republicans. It again showed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to have a weaker lock on evangelicals than he enjoyed in Iowa. And it made former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani look less formidable than ever.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
In 2000 McCain won on a surge of independents and Democrats voting in the GOP contest (that's allowed in Michigan); that year only 48 percent of Republican primary voters were Republicans. This year it didn't happen: Sixty-eight percent of voters were Republican regulars, and they supported Romney by 40-26-25 percent over McCain, with 18 percent for Huckabee.
McCain won independents by 10 points; but as 25 percent of voters, vs. 35 percent in 2000. He also prevailed by 10 points among Democratic crossover voters. But there were fewer of them, too; suggestions that they'd vote in the Republican race given the lack of a real Democratic contest were not borne out. Just 7 percent of GOP voters were Democrats, down from 17 percent in 2000.
Ideology told a similar story: Conservatives upped their share of the turnout to 56 percent, 11 points higher than in 2000, and they, too, went for Romney, 40-22 percent, with 21 percent for Huckabee. McCain won moderates, 41-31 percent; again there were too few.
What a square Romney must be. If you want to make Bill Clinton’s night, you have to throw in a bus load of cheerleaders and a case of whipped cream.
Anybody but McQueeg.
I am a long way from being enthusiastic about Romney, but I am thankful to the people of MI tonite for his win. I really was worried that McCain would win and use the momentum to propel himself to a win in SC.
Same here....I prefer Thompson...but he has a hill to climb...this helps.
Conservatives upped their share of the turnout to 56 percent, 11 points higher than in 2000, and they, too, went for Romney, 40-22 percent
Mitt dominated with conservatives.
Nice to se McAmnesty go down.
Not even the media, liberals and indys could help him.
Good news.
When does media start mantra for Huckster, Rudy, Fred and McCain to drop out?
1. Thompson.
2. Romney.
3. McCain
4. Rudy znd Huckabee (tied for last).
I would like to see Romney/Thompson or Thompson/Romney
If Thompson won’t be veep, how about Romney/Allen?
Allen to Dem VP nominee Richardson: “What a load of Macaca, and you look like Belushi’s corpse too!”
Huckabee is really an Empty Suit.
Fred needs to win in SC or come damn close, and then win a few states on Super Tuesday. Rudy needs to win Florida and California, or he is toast. Mitt and McCain are largely competing for the other states.
Huckabee is strictly a rural phenomenon.
Allen to Dem VP nominee Richardson: “What a load of Macaca, and you look like Belushi’s corpse too!”
HAAA!
Anybody but Huckabee.
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