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Romney rescues White House bid
16/01/2008 07:23 - (SA)
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| Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney speaks to supporters at his primary election night rally in Southfield, Michigan. (Carlos Osorio, AP) |
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Detroit - Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney fought back on Tuesday to revive his flagging White House bid by winning the Republican primary in his native state of Michigan.
It is a vital shot in the arm for his faltering campaign which has flopped since the presidential nominating race began two weeks ago in Iowa, even though he had led the opinion polls before the voting began in earnest.
So it was Michigan or bust for Romney, who was born here and whose father governed here in the 1960s.
"Tonight marks the beginning of a comeback, a comeback for America," he told cheering supporters in Michigan, in yet another dramatic twist in the roller-coaster 2008 White House race.
"Only a week ago a win looked like it was impossible, but then you got out and told America what they needed to hear.
"Tonight is a victory of optimism over Washington-style pessimism," the wholesome, multi-millionaire businessman told cheering supporters.
With 63% of precincts counted, he was leading with 39%, with John McCain in second place at 30%.
Suspicion of his Mormon faith
Romney appeals to many on the conservative Republican side for his emphasis on the importance of the family and his outspoken criticism of gay marriage.
He is also seen as anti-abortion, pro-capital punishment, and tough on immigration, all issues dear to the hearts of loyal Republicans.
But he faces an uphill battle to overcome deep suspicion of his Mormon faith viewed by many as his Achilles heel among the Christian right-wing, many of whom consider the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as it is officially known, heretical.
In early December, Romney chose to address directly the issue of whether the United States is ready to elect its first Mormon president.
"I am an American running for president," the 60-year-old said in the landmark speech directed at the Republican party's powerful evangelical bloc.
"I do not define my candidacy by my religion. A person should not be elected because of his faith, nor should he be rejected because of his faith."
The speech drew comparisons with the address given by John F Kennedy on his Roman Catholic faith during his 1960 successful bid for the presidency.
- AFP
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