Politics: He?s Alive!

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Politics He's Alive! How Mitt Romney survived a near-death experience in Michigan. By John Dickerson Posted Wednesday, Feb 29, 2012, at 06:27 AM ET In the state where Mitt Romney was born, his campaign did not die. Despite his many advantages in Michigan, the race was a nail-biter. In the end, Romney won 41 percent of the vote to 38 percent for Rick Santorum. "We didn't win by a lot, but we won by enough but that's all that counts," said Romney at his victory party, looking relieved to have survived another near-death experience. In Arizona, he clobbered the former Pennsylvania senator 47 percent to 26 percent. By the end of the night, Romney captured more than 30 new delegates. On that score, he is now well ahead of his rivals. Although Michigan was the 10th contest of the 2012 Republican primary, it was the first two-man race to test the fault lines of the Republican Party: a battle between the establishment candidate, Mitt Romney, and the populist candidate, Rick Santorum. In the end, both men weakened themselves. Romney underscored his fundamental vulnerability: He struggled to win party stalwarts in a head-to head fight despite superior finances, a vast organizational advantage, and local roots. Santorum's opposition to everything from college to contraception frightened Republicans who think his values-laden and ideologically strident tone would not only cost him the presidential election but hurt House and Senate Republican candidates, too. In another election season, Romney's victories in Arizona and Michigan would suggest he has momentum. Perhaps it will this time. It didn't after he won in New Hampshire or Florida. In ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Weigel: Five Lessons From the Michigan and Arizona Primaries How Bad Is War for the Environment? The Supreme Court Needs To Stay Away From Affirmative Action Cases. They're Too Political.	Advertisement
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