Romney, Clinton lead Michigan poll

DETROIT -- Voters planning to participate in Tuesday's Michigan presidential primary favor Mitt Romney and Hillary Rodham Clinton, according to a poll released Saturday night.

Republican voters whose greatest concern is the economy could give Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and Bloomfield Hills, Mich. native, his first major state victory.

In the Detroit Free Press-Local 4 Michigan Poll, Romney leads Sen. John McCain 27%-22% with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in third place at 16%.

Romney, whose father George was Michigan's governor in the 1960s, needs a win here after second-place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire.

"I think Republicans will pick a Republican nominee and that's me," Romney said Saturday in an interview with the Free Press. Romney also said while many Michiganders don't remember his father, "my dad's reputation has lasted longer than I can easily understand."

Romney's lead could evaporate, depending on how shaky, undecided and uncommitted voters move over the next two days, the poll indicated. Some 38% who had a favorite said they might change their mind by Tuesday. Another 22% hadn't picked a candidate.

Romney's core of support is in metro Detroit, where he has a 2-1 advantage.

Of the 40% who named the economy as their top concern, Romney had a 42%-25% advantage over McCain. But McCain wins by about the same margin over Romney among the 24% of Republican voters whose top issue is the Iraq war.

On the Democratic ballot, only New York senator Clinton's name appears among three major contenders. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and John Edwards, the former North Carolina senator, took their names off because Michigan violated national party rules by moving its primary before Feb. 5.

It's not known how many Democrats unhappy with their choice will choose the Republican ballot. Obama and Edwards supporters are urging a vote for "uncommitted."

Clinton easily beats "uncommitted," 56% to 30%.

If the other major contenders were on the ballot, Clinton would still win with 46% of the vote. Obama would receive 23% and Edwards would get 13%, the poll indicated.