Mitt Romney Goes for the Gold in Michigan
Mitt Romney charmingly calls them “silvers.” That’s his code for second place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. His best hope for the gold is Michigan.
Romney will, in fact, win the Michigan Republican primary, confidently predicts GOP State Chairman Saul Anuzis.
Anuzis is not backing any candidate for the Republican nomination and has no axe to grind. Indeed, the motor-cycle riding, cigar-smoking maverick would like the contest to be close and hotly contested because it will attract more media to the state and more donors to the state party. But the tall Lithuanian has the un-political habit of bluntly telling the truth.
To anyone over the age of 50, Anuzis says, the Romney name is fondly remembered. Mitt’s father, Michigan Governor George Romney, who was first elected in 1962, is still well-liked in both the tri-county Detroit metro area, as well as “outstate,” the predominantly rural portions of the state.
During George Romney’s tenure auto-workers and auto-executives made peace, and the Michigan state government adopted the generous welfare policies pushed by the United Auto Workers. So many moderate Republicans, Anuzis says, believe that the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree and that Mitt Romney would be a liberal Republican like his father. Michigan conservatives of a certain age fondly recall the elder Romney’s cultural conservatism; his clean-cut and intact family, his love of America, his enthusiasm for economic growth, the pride in his eyes when he toured a new plant. George Romney confidently believed in what they used to call “Americanism,” family values, free enterprise, faith, and freedom. But the days of Michigan being the workshop of the world are long gone and yet, from its embers, still glows the Romney name.
Younger voters, Anuzis says, are responding to his near constant campaigning in the state. The Romney campaign has an extensive organization throughout the state and it has been running for more than a year – a tireless assembly line that plants yard signs, stuffs envelopes, and phones, knocks, and mails every Republican Michigander. Romney has spoken at events across the state and reminds people of his roots there: his first date was on Mackinaw Island, his first house in the Detroit suburbs, and so on. In nearly every part of the state, Romney can and does point to some milestone in his life that occurred nearby. It makes him the local boy, the favorite son.
Anuzis watched how professionally Romney and his wife handled the 2006 Republican state convention. First, he was the only Republican presidential contender to even show up. Second, before he spoke, he and his wife went to the center of the room, and he took one side, shaking hands, slapping backs, and smiling, while she took the other. “They worked the room,” Anuzis said, “a complete charm offensive.”
By comparison, McCain’s paid organization dissolved months ago and he is only now desperately trying to stitch it back together. Huckabee’s only hope, Anuzis said, is to rely on the organizational powers of evangelical churches to field volunteers and man the phones. While Rudy Giuliani has both organization and financial support in the state, he hasn’t invested the time in Michigan that Romney has.
There may be a surprise on the Democratic side as well. Although Hillary Clinton’s major opponents (Obama, Edwards) are not on the ballot, she may be in trouble anyway. Outgoing state Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer, is actively and openly working against Clinton. Brewer is an Edwards supporter, Anuzis says, and will not run for reelection as state party chairman. Brewer is encouraging voters to vote “uncommitted” if they support any candidate other than Clinton. If “uncommitted” wins more than 15% of the vote in any congressional district, an “uncommitted” i.e. non-Clinton delegate will be sent to the National Convention. If Michigan polls are accurate, the anti-Hillary vote is strong in the state.
So Tuesday night, January 15th, will be exciting for both Republicans and Democrats. Among the Republicans, Michigan will determine whether Romney triumphs or fades away. And Democrats will watch the excitement as Hillary battles the state party chairman’s effort to humiliate her.
Richard Miniter is PJM’s Washington correspondent and blogs at RichardMiniter.com. Jewelyn Wellborn is Richard Miniter’s assistant
No, Mitt’s best hope for a Gold is Wisconsin.
You’re referencing his speech where he was saying that he had two silver medals and a gold.
Because he’d won a primary. By a much bigger margin than anyone else has won a primary. In Wisconsin.
Michigan is his best chance for a second gold.
In Michigan, he may get another gold.
Boy, is it irresponsible to write an article of this length that implicitly denies reality without mentioning the reality at least once.
I don’t find Romney charming when he calls them “silvers.” I find it obvious and pathetic spin. Romney comes across to me as a man with no center, very similar in that way to John Kerry. Plastic.
Go Mitt!
Um, Wisconsin’s primary is on February 19; the gold the first commenter meant came from Wyoming — too bad, it’s a lot smaller!
Great Article, I like how you accuse Saul of telling the truth and being blunt, it reminds me of that line in John Wayne’s McClintok when he says about his friend “he’s just ignorant, doesn’t know any better than to tell the truth!”
I’d like to see a Romney win, I hope he can overcome the Huckabee surge, as the Huck-ster tries to bring former Romney Christian supporters to his camp…
Romney’s a phony – take it from a Massachusetts Republican. We had a republican governor for 20 years until his term. He didn’t nothing to help his lt. governor become governor. Everything was about me me me….
Economically liberal and culturally conservative. Now that’s a recipe for disaster.
John McCain probably needs to win Michigan more than Mitt Romney. I think this could be his last hurrah. Second place will do him little good.
This piece reads like Romney flackery, not journalism. Shame on Pajamas Media. (PS: Isn’t Miniter the one who was repeatedly telling us that McCain would be out by August.. or was it September?)
To provide an alternative view of Tom from Mass, I am a Mass. Republican. I have been for over 25 years.
Some will say Mitt is a northeast liberal Republican and based on his record, they have a good arguement. However, in Mass. the statehouse has only a token handful of Republicans. The reality here is that a sitting Govenor has no effective veto power – none. The State is actually run by the Senate President and Speaker of the House. Both are traditional Democrat left wing politicians and the speaker is absolutely ruthless with his opponents. The Senate President is more a practical politician and Romney was able to obtain minor points of compromise working with him. Virtually all other elected officials, The Sec of State, Atty General, State Auditor, State Treasurer are all traditional big government tax and spend Democrats. Romney was out gunned & out flanked in government. As for public opinion, the largest newpapers in the state are both owned by the NY Times and openly hostile towards anyone and any organization that does not toe their politically correct, leftist orientation. This is one of the only states that did not have a single county vote for Pres. Bush in ’04. It doesn’t get any “bluer” than this state. So give Romney some credit for effective governance. Anyone else would have failed completely but Mitt still managed to get some wins against all the odds. He’s a good man. When voters look at his overall record in both public and private sector, there aren’t many in the Republican field running that come close and there are NONE on the Democrat side.
Most also fail to recognize that Romney was also challenged on 9/11. After all, it all started in Boston. Romney moved quickly to begin securing sensitive areas and gathering the state agencies to be ready to react as needed.
So my advise to those still sitting on the fence is that Mitt is ready for the big time, now.
As someone who has met Mitt Romney, worked under him during the Winter Olympics as part of the multi-state National Guard security force, and will vote for Mitt in the primaries, I will stand behind Mitt as not only real but honest.
Is it any surprise that the first thing his enemies go for his his character, where he holds the strongest advantage over any of his opponents?
You shall know them by their works, and Mitt has a consistently successful track record of change for good.
As someone who has met Mitt Romney, worked under him during the Winter Olympics as part of the multi-state National Guard security force, and will vote for Mitt in the primaries, I will stand behind Mitt as not only real but honest.
Is it any surprise that the first thing his enemies go for his his character, where he holds the strongest advantage over any of his opponents?
You shall know them by their works, and Mitt has a consistently successful track record of change for good.
I think Saul is right. If McCain hadn’t dissolved his staff he would have a stronger chance. Problem is – in that state – it’s potentially too little too late for his camp. Meanwhile Romney was at 2006′s convention making the rounds early. He’s pretty popular up there.
Saul has a good head on his shoulders and he knows his state better than any of those outside of it could. And even though he has yet to come out for any of the candidates, I think his honest and sincere analysis shouldn’t be taken lightly. Can’t wait for tomorrow to see if you’re right!
Also, John McCain DOES need to win Michigan. But I doubt he will.
Come on, Michigan … Don’t be taken it by “Bullsh*t Mitt”. He doesn’t give a rat’s ass about your state other than that it’s his last chance to save his sinking candidacy. The guy is a slicked-back politician who will tell anyone what he thinks they need to hear at the time to get their vote. I wouldn’t trust him to wash my car.
Plus, look at the polls, people! THE GUY IS A GUARANTEED LOSER IN NOVEMBER!!! In a recent national poll, 62% of voters said they would not vote for Mitt Romney under ANY circumstances! That’s a higher negative rating than even Hillary Clinton’s!
Wise up, Michigan Republicans. There’s only one candidate on tomorrow’s ballot that can defeat Hillary and Obama and retain Republican control of the presidency, and that’s John McCain. Don’t back a flip-floppingn loser. Back a man with integrity and courage that can actually WIN for us in November. Vote McCain.
“George Romney confidently believed in what they used to call “Americanism,” family values, free enterprise, faith, and freedom.”
Notice that freedom comes last. Republican mormons in Utah always put freedom last and their idea of “family values” first, which is why they are republicans in name only. Given a chance, I expect Romney to be no different.
After the fiascos in N.H. and Iowa on both parties with the press pressing for their favorites with emotiocons in lieu of any sense – I just hope Michigan voters have more sense but I am not banking on it.
The public has been sold that Mitt is a Phoney, plastic, robotic, not genuine per the pundits, media who just want the status quo, the familiar – for all the talk of change, real change scares them to death. New ideas, positive outlook do not square with their adgenda. Mitt would make a fine President and we may have missed it due to many people being so easily influenced. It is a shame, not for Romney, but for a country with huge problems facing it and unwilling to change to anyone effective.