NPR: Romney Takes Michigan Republican Primary

Romney Takes Michigan Republican Primary

Most major news organizations, including NPR, are predicting that Mitt Romney has won the Michigan Republican primary over Sen. John McCain and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. With about 20 percent of the polls reporting, Romney leads 40 percent to 30 percent.

Information from exit polls showed that Romney won the vote of those people who identified themselves as Republicans and as conservatives by wide margins. McCain won the support of independents and Democrats who crossed over to vote in the GOP race. But in this election they only comprised one-third of the vote. When he won the Michigan primary in 2000, this group made up more than half of those who voted in the primary.

Exit polls also put the voter turnout rate at 20 percent. Inclement weather and a Democratic ballot with just three choices and little or no consequence may have dissuaded some from heading to the polls.

In a sign of the important of the next primary in South Carolina, both McCain and Huckabee went to the Palmetto State to watch the results from Michigan

Update: With 100 percent of the polls reporting, final tallies for the GOP primary were: Mitt Romney - 39 percent, John McCain - 30 percent, Mike Huckabee - 16 percent, Ron Paul - 6 percent, Fred Thompson - 4 percent, Rudy Giuliani - 3 percent.

On the Democratic side, where neither Barack Obama or John Edwards were on the ballot, Hillary Clinton had 55 percent, "Uncommitted" was second with 40 percent and then Dennis Kucinich with 4 percent.

9:21 PM ET | 01-15-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

It's interesting that the Republican party got a result that was good for them and good for Michigan: attention focused on our state, getting the candidates talking about economic and job issues for awhile, and lots of positive news coverage for the GOP.

We Democrats, on the other hand, got a pretty raw deal. Candidates missing from the ballot, votes that don't count, and news coverage that makes the Democratic party and the state of Michigan look like buffoons.

Hopefully this is a mistake that the state and national Democratic party won't make again. To learn more about how it happened, and what you can do, visit http://WhoStoleMiVote.org/

Sent by Scott Gifford | 2:06 AM ET | 01-16-2008

Sent by Scott Gifford; We Democrats, on the other hand, got a pretty raw deal. Candidates missing from the ballot,

You'd think the common denominator between Florida and Michigan is that Floridians buy cars.

Certainly that's not all, anymore. The Democratic ticket in Florida is a shambles, as well. The Democratic Party has become the 'Kamikaze Party Who Wear Craash Helmets For No Apparent Reason.'

I voted today in Florida's primary. Not that I intended to take the time to bother wasting my time. I was walking into city hall when a poll worker asked if I wanted to vote.

I almost said that I didn't want to bother. That I knew Danica Patrick's name was not on the ballot. On a second thought, given my dark sense of humor, "Why not," I shrugged, and followed her into the polling place.

I voted for Bill Richardson of New Mexico. Partly because this may be the last time I vote in Florida. I will be voting in New Mexico in the future. And if the Democrats are boycotting Florida, why not vote for the Democrat who lives furthest away from Florida.

I couldn't vote for McCain, who lives in Arizona, which is farther away on the other side of New Mexico, because in Florida you can't cross picket lines in the primaries.

When I register in New Mexico, I have to consider if I want to register as a Republican. For the sake of personal dignity.

Ah, well. Danica Patrick has a home here in Florida. Danica, the only Formula One driver you want to see in a bikini, if you read this: I wanted to vote for you.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 11:31 AM ET | 01-16-2008

Ha!
Fred, you admitted it. In your OWN words, "I couldn't vote for McCain, ..... because in Florida you can't cross picket lines...".
Not that I want the Dems to win (anything), but if they can't agree with each other and stay on message, they are DOOMED!
Clinton is still campaigning against Bush! Obama is campaigning against the Status Quo. Edwards is off on some populist/communist one-man crusade against the MAN.

But, this just in: The country is heading into a reccession. Now, War, Status Quo, Corporate Greed, Lobbyists, and drug companies are not as important as the hundreds of stock traders getting laid-off. Boo,hoo. Boo,hoo.

As you said before:
Lots of Dems are going to vote Repub this year!
Rommney-McCain! Rommney-McCain! Rommney-McCain!

BTW, I would vote for Danica also (regardless of affiliation)! Is she ever going to join NASCAR?

Sent by Harold | 1:02 PM ET | 01-16-2008

Sent by Harold: BTW, I would vote for Danica also (regardless of affiliation)! Is she ever going to join NASCAR?

Is NASCAR ever going to join Danica?

I was surprised to discover that the Unsers are from New Mexico. I stereotypically thought all NASCAR stars were from either Alabama or Mississippi.

No, Danica probably will never drive NASCAR, and Hillary will never be president.

Voting for Bill Richardson on the Florida primary offered yet another aspect of dark humor: Richardson isn't running anymore, last I heard.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 5:06 PM ET | 01-17-2008

Sent by Fred: "Is NASCAR ever going to join Danica?"

NASCAR is a populist, country boy, moonshiner sport (What wins on Sunday, sells on Monday).
In contrast, Ms. Patrick, is driving the latest high-tech, carbon fiber, single seat go-carts. Not a great match.
I can't afford the tires she uses, I can buy a Monte Carlo (painted to match Jeff G's).

Actually, racing has become the "gladiator sport" of today. Its all about "my driver was better than your driver", week after week.

Does any candidate feel, sound, feel like me? That will win votes, voters identifying with the candidates and issues. Iowans voted for Huckabee because he IS what they see themselves as being (or want to be).

Sent by Harold | 10:54 AM ET | 01-18-2008

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