'Native Son' Romney Banking on Michigan Win

Jan. 15, 2008 — -- For a tight three-way race for the Republican presidential nomination, today's Michigan primary is crucial.

The economy is the issue on everyone's mind in the state, where the unemployment rate is the highest in the nation.

The race pits native son Mitt Romney, whose father was governor of the state, against comeback kid John McCain and the "other" man from Hope, Ark., Mike Huckabee.

Several polls show the race to be too close to call between Romney and McCain with Huckabee trailing, but still in shouting distance.

Romney is hoping for his first win after two punishing defeats in Iowa and New Hampshire, though he is downplaying the importance of today's vote.

"I'd like to win Michigan. I plan on winning Michigan, but I sure don't have to win Michigan," Romney told ABC News' "Nightline."

McCain wants the momentum from his New Hampshire win to continue, and Huckabee is hoping for an upset.

Each candidate has certain advantages going into the race.

Romney is running as the businessman with Michigan roots.

"I have a lot of memories here," Romney told a Michigan crowd. "This is where both Ann and I were born."

McCain wants to capitalize on independent voters and even Democrats crossing over, like they did in his 2000 victory here.

And Huckabee is counting on a big evangelical turnout in the western part of the state.

One by one the candidates walked through the Detroit auto show, to show solidarity with the state's troubled industry.

Romney's experience as a CEO could serve him well in the economically fragile state. "I've got Michigan in my DNA, I've got it in my heart and I got cars in my bloodstream," he told a crowd.

After Michigan, the candidates will look ahead to South Carolina, but Romney's campaign has made it clear it is not going all out there. It has pulled its ads and is already looking forward to Nevada and Florida. But with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani campaigning hard in Florida, he can't count on a victory there to buoy him.