Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney won the Michigan Republican primary Tuesday night, reflecting voters' growing concerns towards economy.
For Romney, who finished second in Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, it is a much needed victory in his home state.
Although the vote count is not completed, all major media outlets are projecting a Romney win.
According to preliminary results, he narrowly beat Sen. John McCain and enjoyed a wider margin over former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.
McCain conceded his loss, but said he had no regrets about his Michigan strategy.
Meanwhile, Romney declared, "Tonight marks the beginning of a comeback -- a comeback for America" at a victory rally.
CNN said in its analysis that the growing concerns toward economy among Michigan voters helped Romney's victory over McCain.
Exit polling found economy was the most important issue for Republicans in Michigan, well ahead of the war in Iraq, immigration and terrorism as half of the surveyed Michigan Republican primary voters cited the economy as their biggest concern.
Michigan's economic crisis, fueled by a downward spiral in the auto industry and depressed real estate market, has been a major topic for the presidential candidates.
The state's unemployment rate reached 7.4 percent, much higher than the national rate of 4.7 percent.
Romney, 60, has stumped very aggressively in Michigan, reminding voters of his native son appeal and his time spent creating jobs in the private sector.
"I know why jobs come and why they go" is a standard Romney stump line.
At a campaign stop, Romney declared: "We're going to do it today."
In comparison, McCain's strategy in Michigan has been based around the same themes that propelled him to victory in New Hampshire last week -- a profound record of service in and out of office and a promise to provide "straight talk" to voters.
The senator from Arizona, 71, had also hoped to appeal to Democrats and independents who can vote in the Republican primary under state law.
McCain won both groups overwhelmingly in his 2000 primary victory over then-Texas governor George W. Bush.
However, early exit polling suggested that fewer Democrats and independents were taking part in the Republican primary than they did eight years ago, which is bad news for him and therefore is good news for Romney.
On the Democratic side, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York is the only front-runner on the ballot.
Party officials voted to strip Michigan of its Democratic delegates for its decision to schedule the primary so early and therefore the Democratic race in Michigan has no significance.
Tight race for Republican candidates
Looking ahead, the next battle for Republicans will be the Jan. 19 primary in South Carolina, where McCain is well positioned to win.
The results from the Michigan primary ensured that Romney is still in the game, but it also indicates a still tight race among Republican candidates.
Each of Iowa, New Hampshire and Michigan picked a different favorite for the national Republican candidate in the upcoming final with the Democratic competitor .
Meanwhile, former mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani, is playing a different game which focuses on bigger states such as Florida.
The moment of truth for the Republican nomination battle will not come earlier than Feb. 5, when more than 20 states will vote.
(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2008)
