Gov. Romney On Michigan In The General Election

MICHIGAN FACTOIDS

Gov. Romney is in a strong position to win the Republican nomination.

Gov. Romney continues to lead the Republican field in total number of votes (by 81,471) and in total delegates (by at least six, according to the AP).

Gov. Romney has won more votes so far in the nomination process than Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, and Ron Paul combined.

McCain won 393,284 fewer votes in Michigan this year than he did in 2000.

Michigan marks the second consecutive state where McCain underperformed compared to 2000—he won New Hampshire by 19 points in 2000 and by just 5 points this year; he won Michigan by 8 points in 2000 and lost it by 9 points this year.

McCain failed to win Michigan Republicans in 2000 and was ultimately unsuccessful in winning the nomination—a candidacy based on support from independents alone will be unsuccessful at winning the GOP nomination.

This year, Gov. Romney won Republicans by 14 points in Michigan, 40%-26%. Gov. Romney will benefit when the race moves to major states like Florida and California where it is limited to registered Republicans.

Gov. Romney carried every major element of the Reagan coalition in Michigan—he won conservatives by 18 points (41%-23%), pro-life voters by 14 points (39%-25%), and even carried white evangelical Protestants by 6 points (36%-30%).

No candidate who finished lower than second place in the Michigan primary has ever gone on to win the Republican nomination.

Gov. Romney will put Michigan in play for the general election.

Winning an open Michigan primary shows competitive strength statewide. Every Michigan Republican primary since 1992 has been 25% independent. This year’s primary was 32% independent and Democratic.

Republican candidates have consistently targeted Michigan in general elections—yet no Republican has won Michigan in the general election since 1988.

No Democrat since Jimmy Carter has won the White House without winning Michigan—showing how difficult it is for a Democrat to get to 270 electoral votes without 17 from Michigan.

The last time a Republican won a competitive Michigan GOP primary and then carried the state in the general election was Gerald Ford in 1976 – another native Michigander.

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Mitt Romney and Michigan

(Click on the date to read the press release)

Jan 09, 2008; Strategy For A Stronger America: Helping Michigan By Fixing A Broken Washington
Dec 28, 2007; Michigan State Representative Dave Robertson Endorses Governor Mitt Romney

Apr 27, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney's Remarks at the Livingston County, Michigan Lincoln Day Dinner
Sep 22, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney's Remarks At The Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference
May 08, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Names Michigan Statewide Finance Committee
Apr 13, 2007; Michigan State Representative Fulton Sheen To Lead Families Effort
Apr 12, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Names West Michigan Leadership Team
Mar 16, 2007; State Representative Dave Hildenbrand to Lead Governor Mitt Romney's Michigan Sportsmen Effort
Mar 05, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Announces Michigan Grassroots Steering Committee
Feb 15, 2007; Governor Mitt Romney Announces Michigan "Romney" Caucus

"It's Personal To Me"

Representative Dave Camp of Michigan

Representative Mike Rogers of Michigan

With his family by his side, Governor Romney announced his intention to run for the Presidency of the United States of America in Dearborn, Michigan and later traveled to campaign in Des Moines, Iowa.

Super Tuesday States for Romney

States Romney has Won

States Romney has came in 2nd

Outside Links

Posts on ComMITTed to Romney

Romney in Michigan on YouTube

Michigan Videos

McCain and Michigan

"Like Mike Huckabee, who joked recently that he 'may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night,' McCain suggested to reporters Monday that American consumer culture offered a short cut to expertise. 'The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should,' McCain said. 'I've got Greenspan's book.'"(Sasha Issenberg, "McCain: It's About The Economy," The Boston Globe, www.boston.com, Posted 12/18/07)

"On a broader range of economic issues, though, Mr. McCain readily departs from Reaganomics. His philosophy is best described as a work in progress. He is refreshingly blunt when he tells me: 'I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.'" (Stephen Moore, "Reform, Reform, Reform," OpinionJournal.com, 11/26/05)

MCCAIN PESSIMISTIC ABOUT MICHIGAN'S FUTURE

Gov. Romney Knows How To Solve Michigan's Problems

"Romney talked about reviving the auto industry, but McCain said some Michigan industries cannot be resurrected. 'I've got to give you some straight talk: Some of the jobs that have left the state of Michigan are not coming back,' he said. 'They are not. And I am sorry to tell you that.'" (Michael Levenson, "Staking Out The Next Battlegrounds," The Boston Globe, 1/10/08)

Sen. McCain Doesn't Believe In The Future Of The U.S. Auto Industry:

Sen. John McCain: "Some Of The Jobs That Have Left The State Of Michigan Are Not Coming Back." "Romney talked about reviving the auto industry, but McCain said some Michigan industries cannot be resurrected. 'I've got to give you some straight talk: Some of the jobs that have left the state of Michigan are not coming back,' he said. 'They are not. And I am sorry to tell you that.'" (Michael Levenson, "Staking Out The Next Battlegrounds," The Boston Globe, 1/10/08)
Sen. McCain Says He Is Merely "Aware" Of Michigan's Woes:
Sen. McCain: "I'm Aware Of The Economic Difficulties Here In The State Of Michigan." "'I'm aware of the economic difficulties here in the state of Michigan,' McCain said at a rally in Grand Rapids, just a few hours before Romney arrived." (Michael Levenson, "Staking Out The Next Battlegrounds," The Boston Globe, 1/10/08)

Sen. McCain Says He Doesn't Fully Understand Economic Issues:

Sen. McCain: "'The Issue Of Economics Is Not Something I've Understood As Well As I Should." "Like Mike Huckabee, who joked recently that he 'may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night,' McCain suggested to reporters Monday that American consumer culture offered a short cut to expertise. 'The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should,' McCain said. 'I've got Greenspan's book.'" (Sasha Issenberg, "McCain: It's About The Economy," The Boston Globe, www.boston.com, Posted 12/18/07)
Sen. McCain: "I Still Need To Be Educated." "On a broader range of economic issues, though, Mr. McCain readily departs from Reaganomics. His philosophy is best described as a work in progress. He is refreshingly blunt when he tells me: 'I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.'" (Stephen Moore, "Reform, Reform, Reform," OpinionJournal.com, 11/26/05)

Gov. Romney Will Fight To Revive Detroit's Auto Industry:

Gov. Romney: I Will Fight For The Automobile Industry. "'I always thought someday I'd be in the car business,' Romney told the crowd in Grand Rapids yesterday. 'Well, now I think I could do more to help the car business and to help Michigan by becoming president than by going to a job in the car industry.'" (Michael Levenson, "Staking Out The Next Battlegrounds," The Boston Globe, 1/10/08)

"Romney Gets The Auto Industry… You Can't Say That About Any Other Candidate In Either Party." "He'd change it, he says, by helping automakers develop new technologies and by finding ways to reduce health care costs. Romney gets the auto industry -- in fact, he's offered himself up to run an automaker if this politics thing doesn't work out. You can't say that about any other candidate in either party." (Nolan Finley, "Like His Dad, Mitt Romney's A Car Guy," The Detroit News, 11/1107)

Gov. Romney Knows That Washington Does Not Have A Solution For The Industry's Problems. "'I keep hearing this thing about why doesn't Detroit build cars that we want, and it drives me nuts,' he says. 'Detroit is making great cars. Look at the Mustang he drives one. The U.S. auto manufacturers are burdened in excess of $2,000 per vehicle in health care and retirement costs. They have to make a car that is competitive for $2,000 less, and that's not easy to do. They've done a remarkable job. They're really quite creative and able.' That's not the kind of talk you hear much from Washington." (Nolan Finley, "Like His Dad, Mitt Romney's A Car Guy," The Detroit News, 11/1107)

Gov. Romney Knows Michigan's Problems And Takes Them Personally:

Gov. Romney: "It Pains Me Both As A Michigander By Roots And Also As An American To See Our Manufacturing Base In The Auto Sector Erode." "'I grew up in the automobile industry,' the former Massachusetts governor and GOP presidential hopeful says. 'The biggest time of the year was the auto show at Cobo Hall. And I want to see the American automobile industry succeed. It pains me both as a Michigander by roots and also as an American to see our manufacturing base in the auto sector erode. I want that to change.'" (Nolan Finley, "Like His Dad, Mitt Romney's A Car Guy," The Detroit News, 11/1107)
Gov Romney: "We Need To Have Somebody Who Cares Very Deeply About This State – And I Do." "'I've watched with concern as I've watched Michigan go through a one-state recession,' the former Massachusetts governor said, standing on a chair and yelling without a microphone. 'It's just not right, and we need to have somebody who cares very deeply about this state – and I do.'" (Michael Levenson, "Staking Out The Next Battlegrounds," The Boston Globe, 1/10/08)

Gov. Romney: "Michigan Is A State Going Through A One-State Recession." GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "And I recognize that when Michigan is hurting, it is a precursor of what could happen to the entire country. Because our manufacturing base, if it's threatened there, it's threatened everywhere. And so for me, Michigan is not just, oh, one state that I hope they're doing well. No, for me, Michigan is a state that has to do well. Michigan is a state going through a one-state recession." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks, 1/9/08)
Gov. Romney: "I'll Make A Commitment: If I'm President, That One-State Recession Is Over." GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "It ain't working and you're going to find that that experiment is going to be rejected by the people of Michigan who want instead, somebody who knows, cares and loves that state and will fight very hard to help it come out of its one-state recession. I'll make a commitment: if I'm president, that one-state recession is over." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks, 1/9/08)

"And I want to do a better job for the American worker. And by the way, this is key for Michigan. And for me, Michigan is personal. I'm going to go to work to help Michigan." – Gov. Mitt Romney (CNBC, Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Dearborn, MI, 10/9/07)

GRAND RAPIDS PRESS AND OAKLAND PRESS ENDORSE ROMNEY IN MICHIGAN PRIMARY

"Press Editorial Board Endorses Romney"
Grand Rapids Press
Editorial
January 11, 2008

"Many issues will confront the nation in the next four years, from the ongoing threat of terrorism to the need to find a sensible immigration policy. For Michigan, however, one challenge dominates: the economy. We stand at a critical moment, bearing on our backs a worst-in-the-nation unemployment rate, staring at an uncertain future.

"Among Republicans on the ballot in Tuesday's presidential primary, two candidates would offer solid leadership, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. However, when it comes to Michigan's challenges and needs, the passion and knowledge of Mr. Romney tip the scales in his favor. During a visit with Press editors this week, Mr. Romney vowed, 'I will not sleep until Michigan is strong and active and vibrant again.' Because of that focus, MITT ROMNEY has our vote in the Republican presidential primary."

…

"Mr. Romney first came to the national stage as the turnaround man for the scandal-plagued 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah. His deft handling of the bribery mess and deficit is a case study in successful management. He served as governor of Massachusetts for one term, ending in 2006. There, he worked with the Legislature to enact a law that required every citizen of the state to have health insurance, and provided state aid for those who couldn't afford it. As president, he said he would push states to enact their own health care solutions. He would aggressively pursue alternative energy and energy efficiency. He supports merit pay for teachers and more educational choices for parents and children, ideas that deserve furtherance in Washington. The next president will need to transcend the stunting polarities that bedevil Washington. As the Republican leader of a Democratic state, Mr. Romney had to reach across partisan boundaries. Mr. Romney's father, George Romney, served as governor of Michigan in the 1960s, a tie that strengthens his understanding of Michigan. He knows that this state's job losses and struggle to find a new economic footing are the 'canary in the mine,' as he rightly put it, for the nation as a whole."

…

"But on the issue that matters most to Michigan, Mr. Romney's message resonates. In Grand Rapids this week, he said, 'Michigan's one-state recession will come to an end if I'm president.' That's a bold promise. Michigan voters should increase his chance to make it reality."
To read the full endorsement, please see: http://www.mlive.com

Oakland Press Endorses Governor Romney:

"'Favorite Son' Romney Is Best GOP Choice In Primary"
Oakland Press
Editorial
January 11, 2008

"Michigan's presidential primary election Tuesday certainly has stirred enough controversy nationwide with both political parties.

"And despite possible sanctions from both national Democratic and Republican organizations, it offers Michigan residents a chance to send a message and make a statement.

"Particularly on the GOP ticket, where all national presidential candidates will be listed.

"We urge Republican Party faithfuls to stand up and vote for Mitt Romney. Although technically not a home state 'favorite son,' his ties to Michigan are strong."

…

"Meanwhile, Mitt Romney certainly has the credentials to run the country. He is a former Massachusetts governor who turned that state's economy around and proved to be a more than able leader.
"His ties to Michigan and Oakland County are obvious."

…

"Romney is the first candidate for president with Michigan ties since the late Gerald Ford.
"If elected, he would be the country's only Michigan-born president.
"His interest in Michigan has been strong, probably stronger than any other GOP candidate."

…

"Looking at the obvious, Romney entered the 2008 race with impressive backing in Michigan, and his ties to the state are undeniable. He has firsthand knowledge of the auto industry and its importance to Michigan.
"Equally critical, Romney knows how to get a state out of debt and, being from Michigan, he certainly has an empathy for the state that the other candidates, both GOP and Democratic, don't have.
"With Michigan's horrible economy and other problems, we need as much clout in Washington as possible and Romney promises to give us that."

…

"But there's no doubt whom state Republicans should vote for - Mitt Romney."
To read the full endorsement, please see: http://www.theoaklandpress.com