It seems official: Among Republicans (and possibly among the general electorate), Michigan is Mitt Romney’s to lose in 2012.
Romney, a Michigan native, clobbered Texas Gov. Rick Perry in a straw poll Sunday showing support of Republican presidential candidates at last weekend’s Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference, according to Gongwer News.
Romney got a whopping 51 percent of the vote, compared to 17 percent for Perry. Herman Cain, CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, came in third.
The straw poll may reflect the perception among some Republicans that Perry is not a viable candidate in the general election because of his statements about Social Security, including calling it unconstitutional and a “monstrous lie.” Perry also has taken heat among Republicans for supporting a Texas law that offers in-state college tuition to illegal immigrants.
Moreover, the poll also shows Romney is the Republican’s best chance to retake Michigan in 2012. With President Obama’s sharply falling poll numbers in Michigan, Republicans believe they have an excellent chance of prevailing next year in Michigan, which has been hit hard by high unemployment.
