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Romney Victorious In Michigan

Amanda Martinez |
February 28, 2012 | 8:20 p.m. PST

Executive Producer

(Creative Commons)
(Creative Commons)
Mitt Romney narrowly clinched the Michigan primary Tuesday night, defeating Rick Santorum in the nail-biting showdown.

CNN's Live Blog reports Romney received 41% of the vote, with Santorum trailing at 37%, followed by Ron Paul at 12% and Gingrich with 7%.  Moments before the announcement, Dana Bash of CNN said Santorum called Romney to concede.

The win is Romney's second of the night, but arguably the most important.  Michigan is the first of the battleground states set to vote in the nomination campaign, said the Associated Press.

Apart from the political agenda, the state holds sentimental value for Romney.  The former Massachusetts governor grew up in Michigan and his father served as governor there.  Throughout  his voracious campaigning, Romney continued to remind voters of his roots to the state.  USA Today said a loss in the state would have been a setback for Romney, after previously winning the primary in 2008 over John McCain. 

According to the New York Times, Michigan is indicative of the larger challenges the Republican candidate will face against President Obama this fall.  The auto industry revival and the economy took center stage in the Michigan primary, both on the campaign front and from concerned voters.

Neither Newt Gingrich nor Ron Paul have made a strong showing in Tuesday's Arizona and Michigan primaries.  Gingrich focused his attention away from Arizona and Michigan.  Instead he channeled his efforts into his home state of Georgia and the other nine states who will vote on Super Tuesday, said the Wall Street Journal.

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