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By saul anuzis Posted in 2008 Presidential Campaign | Michigan Republicans | Mitt Romney | Presidential Primary | Republicans — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

295 Days until Election Day

MORNING UPDATE:

Governor Mitt Romney won an impressive come back victory in Michigan last night. Coming out of New Hampshire, Michigan turned into a close battleground between Governor Romney and Senator McCain.

As the week progressed, Governor Romney hit his stride and won the state outright and won at least 12 of the 15 congressional districts throughout the state.

Mitt Romney came in first, John McCain second and Mike Huckabee broke the 15% thresh-hold coming in third and qualifying for delegates. No other candidates qualified for any delegates from Michigan.

Michigan sets the stage for upcoming GOP contests. We are the first state where the candidates had to compete for Michigan's diverse and more unpredictable voters.

Michigan's issues and economy took center stage. We are the first large industrial state in which these candidates had to compete. They have to come in with a very local and specific message and address Michigan's unique situation.

Michigan looks more like the rest of America. Michigan is socially, economically and culturally diverse, the most so of any of the early states. That's why Michigan is an important test for the Republican field. Doing well in Michigan is a pretty good indicator of doing well across the nation.

Winners to date are:

Iowa: Huckabee
Wyoming: Romney
New Hampshire: McCain
Michigan: Romney

Now on to South Carolina and Nevada…followed by Florida and on to Super Tuesday.

Below is the press release we issued after the results came out.

Senator Hillary Clinton barely pulled out a victory of “uncommitted”. Exit polls showed that an overwhelming majority of African American voters voted “uncommitted” against Senator Clinton. This could be a devastating trend for Senator Clinton.

The Democrats “missed” the debate on the economy and jobs in Michigan and elsewhere. The Democrats ignored our state…ignored the debate…ignored the economic challenges ahead and still don’t get what it takes to create jobs.

I think the results in Michigan are a great sign of how competitive Michigan will be. Michigan’s independent voters make the difference and we have set the groundwork to take our Republican message through November!

THE REST OF THE STORY:

MICHIGAN SETS TONE FOR GOP PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Economy, Manufacturing Take Center Stage As Candidates Crisscross State

Michigan Will Allocate 60 Delegates to the National Convention

LANSING, MI – Michigan took center stage tonight in the 2008 race for the White House and has set the tone for the upcoming GOP Presidential contests across the nation as the leading Republican contenders made state’s faltering economy and fate of its domestic automotive manufacturers central campaign issues.

In a close-fought victory, native-son Governor Mitt Romney won an important contest here tonight. Governor Romney was able to build on his success as state governor, business turnaround expert, and rescuer of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics to finish first in Michigan.

“I congratulate Governor Romney on an impressive victory in his boyhood state,” said Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saulius “Saul” Anuzis. “Michigan has set the stage for the rest of the GOP contests across the country. Governor Romney leads the delegate count and has won here in Michigan, an important swing state in the general election.”

Michigan is the first industrial state to hold a Presidential Primary in the 2008 election cycle. The state’s economy and socially diverse voters are key tests on how a Republican will fair across the nation in the general election.

Signaling the importance Michigan’s automotive industry has on the economy as a whole, all of the leading Republican candidates toured the coveted North American International Auto Show in Detroit Monday, capping off a whirlwind week of campaigning in the Great Lakes state. In a departure from the contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, candidates focused in on Michigan’s lagging economy and the future of the state’s homegrown auto manufacturers.

Anuzis added that moving Michigan’s Presidential Primary up to Jan. 15 has been successful in challenging candidates to more succinctly hone their message in this political bellwether state known for its independent-minded voters – and home of the Reagan Democrats.

“Michigan is bellwether for the rest of the country, and today’s ensure that Michigan will be a key battleground state in the general election,” Anuzis said.

The Michigan Republican Party will allocate 60 national delegates to the Republican National convention in Minnesota-St. Paul: 45 regular; 12 at-large; and, three RNC member delegates.

Regular delegates are allocated “winner take all” by congressional district. Meaning, the winner of each of Michigan’s 15 Congressional Districts will receive the three delegates from that district. The proportion of the statewide vote that was cast for each candidate allocates the 12 at-large delegates. Candidates need at least 15-percent of the total votes cast to qualify for a portion of the at-large delegates. Finally, the RNC-member delegates – Chairman Anuzis, National Committeewoman Holly Hughes, and National Committeeman Chuck Yob – are uncommitted delegates to the national convention.

Due to many of the congressional districts overlapping different counties and cities official delegate results will not be announced immediately after the polls close. Based on a unanimous vote of the Michigan Republican State Committee, the Michigan Republican Party will allocate and send its entire delegation of 60 delegates to the national convention.

For complete post go to: http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2008/01/articles-of--13.html

Saulius "Saul" Anuzis
Chairman
Michigan Republican Party