Romney's Mo' in Michigan
Posted: Sunday, January 13, 2008 6:30 PM by Mark Murray
From NBC/NJ's Erin McPike
DETROIT -- It may just be that this time, momentum is on Romney’s side as he battles here to win the early primary in Michigan.
Romney took the stage at the bottom of a large atrium at Lawrence Technological University here before one of his wildest, most roaring audiences in weeks. Red foam mitts and long, red balloons dotted the crowd of more than 500, and a big chunk of supporters were decked out in multiple articles of Romney gear.
When Romney launched into his now standard lines about the trouble with Washington, he fell into a call-and-response with the crowd. Speaking about “Washington politicians, he said: “They say they’re going to reduce our dependence on foreign oil” -- which was met with a forceful “They haven’t!” from the attendees. The pattern continued with his complaints on a host of other matters, from Social Security to education to taxes to health insurance.
And the candidate, who’s often criticized for being too stiff, fed off the crowd’s energy at times, building in intensity along with them. “It’s nice to have a quiet crowd,” he later said facetiously, before adding: “This is the best crowd in Michigan I’ve had all week.” Near the end of the event, he even pointed out the Ron Paul supporter who was waving one of his signs as a Romney supporter had a triple-decker "Michigan For Mitt" sign that he was using to try and block the Paul sign. Noticing the struggle, Romney said that if the crowd wanted a doctor, they could have Paul, but if they wanted someone to fix the economy, he should be their choice.
WDIV weatherman and local Republican donor Chuck Gaidica introduced the speakers who pumped up the crowd before Romney took the stage. Other speakers included Romney’s brother, Scott, Michigan House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche and Michigan Rep. Joe Knollenberg. Joining Romney for a few early remarks were his son, Tagg, and his wife, Ann.
Not only is Romney starting to see bigger, more enthusiastic crowds, but he’s seeing his poll numbers rise here, too. In fact, Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis pointed out to NBC that the range of new state polling out this weekend shows that the numbers are starting to trend in Romney’s favor.
Indeed, Romney leads McCain by five points in the Detroit Free Press poll and trails him by a single point in the Detroit News survey, both of which were unveiled last night. And MSNBC/McClatchy/Mason-Dixon polling data out this morning has Romney ahead of McCain by eight points.
Meanwhile, Romney’s attacks on the Democrats, which subsided slightly prior to the Iowa caucuses, have picked back up. Not surprisingly, Obama has become a bigger target.
Discussing the need for change in Washington and Obama’s similar focus on the theme, he said, “I think that’s what you’re going to have in your pocket when he’s finished being president.” Romney earlier in the week said he’d heard that joke from someone else. And as it turns out, it may have been none other than Giuliani, who invoked the joke at the FOX News debate on Thursday night in South Carolina, and has been using it since prior to the New Hampshire primary, according to the Giuliani campaign.
