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Romney wins in Michigan primary Romney wins in Michigan primary
(about 2 hours later)
Republican Mitt Romney has won the US state of Michigan's presidential primary, beating Senator John McCain.Republican Mitt Romney has won the US state of Michigan's presidential primary, beating Senator John McCain.
Giving a victory speech to jubilant supporters as the results came in, Mr Romney said the win marked "the beginning of a comeback".Giving a victory speech to jubilant supporters as the results came in, Mr Romney said the win marked "the beginning of a comeback".
Mr McCain congratulated Mr Romney, raised locally, saying he had worked hard to ensure he won the state's vote.Mr McCain congratulated Mr Romney, raised locally, saying he had worked hard to ensure he won the state's vote.
Michigan does not figure in the race for the Democratic nomination because of a party dispute over scheduling.Michigan does not figure in the race for the Democratic nomination because of a party dispute over scheduling.
The state had been seen as pivotal for Mr Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and wealthy businessman.The state had been seen as pivotal for Mr Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and wealthy businessman.
He was beaten in Iowa on 3 January and in New Hampshire five days later, despite spending heavily and having a better campaign organisation than his rivals.He was beaten in Iowa on 3 January and in New Hampshire five days later, despite spending heavily and having a better campaign organisation than his rivals.
Speaking to his supporters in Michigan, Mr Romney said: "Only a week ago a win looked like it was impossible, but then you got out and told America what they needed to hear.Speaking to his supporters in Michigan, Mr Romney said: "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 marks the beginning of a comeback, a comeback for America.""Tonight marks the beginning of a comeback, a comeback for America."
'Great race''Great race'
Mr McCain, who won in New Hampshire, was quick to commend Mr Romney's victory, saying he had capitalised on his claim to be the "native son" of Michigan's voters. Mr McCain, who won in New Hampshire, was quick to congratulate Mr Romney, saying he had capitalised on his claim to be the "native son" of Michigan's voters.
I think we've shown them we don't mind a fight John McCainI think we've shown them we don't mind a fight John McCain
The 71-year-old Arizona senator pledged to carry on the battle on the campaign trail.The 71-year-old Arizona senator pledged to carry on the battle on the campaign trail.
"For a minute there in New Hampshire I thought this campaign might be getting easier. But you know what? We've gotten pretty good at doing things the hard way too."For a minute there in New Hampshire I thought this campaign might be getting easier. But you know what? We've gotten pretty good at doing things the hard way too.
"And I think we've shown them we don't mind a fight.""And I think we've shown them we don't mind a fight."
Mike Huckabee, the winner in Iowa who was projected to come third in the Michigan poll, also congratulated Mr Romney on having "won a great race".Mike Huckabee, the winner in Iowa who was projected to come third in the Michigan poll, also congratulated Mr Romney on having "won a great race".
Mr Romney may carry momentum from Michigan to South CarolinaMr Huckabee, former governor of the Southern state of Arkansas, was already looking forward to Saturday's Republican primary in South Carolina as his chance to wrest back control of the race.Mr Romney may carry momentum from Michigan to South CarolinaMr Huckabee, former governor of the Southern state of Arkansas, was already looking forward to Saturday's Republican primary in South Carolina as his chance to wrest back control of the race.
"We're going to make it real clear, that the first-in-the-South primary is going to give their support to the first-in-the-South candidate," he said."We're going to make it real clear, that the first-in-the-South primary is going to give their support to the first-in-the-South candidate," he said.
With 80% of precincts reporting, Mr Romney had 39% of the vote, Mr McCain had 30% and Mr Huckabee 16%. Results gave Mr Romney had 39% of the vote, Mr McCain 30% and Mr Huckabee 16%.
Ron Paul appeared to be heading for a fourth-place finish with 6% of the vote, beating Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani into fifth and sixth places respectively. Ron Paul was in fourth place with 6% of the vote, beating Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani into fifth and sixth places respectively.
Mr Huckabee and Mr McCain both headed to South Carolina before the Michigan results were tallied. Mr Romney is expected to follow them there on Wednesday.Mr Huckabee and Mr McCain both headed to South Carolina before the Michigan results were tallied. Mr Romney is expected to follow them there on Wednesday.
Race 'wide open'Race 'wide open'
Mr Romney is likely to have benefited from his strong local connections in Michigan - his father George was governor in the 1960s, and his wife was also born in the state.Mr Romney is likely to have benefited from his strong local connections in Michigan - his father George was governor in the 1960s, and his wife was also born in the state.
KEY DATES FOR CANDIDATES 15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: Nevada caucuses; South Carolina primary (Rep)26 Jan: South Carolina primary (Dem)29 Jan: Florida primary5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey Q&A: Michigan primaryMichigan state profileKEY DATES FOR CANDIDATES 15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: Nevada caucuses; South Carolina primary (Rep)26 Jan: South Carolina primary (Dem)29 Jan: Florida primary5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey Q&A: Michigan primaryMichigan state profile
His business experience may also have played well in a state where the economy has become a big issue as the car industry struggles and job losses rise.His business experience may also have played well in a state where the economy has become a big issue as the car industry struggles and job losses rise.
The BBC's North America editor Justin Webb in Michigan cautions that the Republican race remains wide open, with each major primary so far going to a different candidate.The BBC's North America editor Justin Webb in Michigan cautions that the Republican race remains wide open, with each major primary so far going to a different candidate.
He adds that with Mr Romney's family connections to the state, if he can't win there, he can't win anywhere.He adds that with Mr Romney's family connections to the state, if he can't win there, he can't win anywhere.
Mr Romney's real problem is that many Republicans see him as someone who has changed his mind to suit circumstances, our correspondent says, and unless he can find a way of turning that round it is too early to call him a frontrunner.Mr Romney's real problem is that many Republicans see him as someone who has changed his mind to suit circumstances, our correspondent says, and unless he can find a way of turning that round it is too early to call him a frontrunner.
Correspondents predict that the Republican nomination could still be undecided after so-called Super Tuesday on 5 February, when 22 states vote.Correspondents predict that the Republican nomination could still be undecided after so-called Super Tuesday on 5 February, when 22 states vote.
They suggest that the fact that there are so many Republicans still in the running could work against the party in the battle with the Democrats for the White House in November.They suggest that the fact that there are so many Republicans still in the running could work against the party in the battle with the Democrats for the White House in November.
'Uncommitted' voters'Uncommitted' voters
The Democratic Party denied Michigan the right to send delegates to its convention - when the party's presidential candidate will be chosen - because the state party chose to hold its primary early.The Democratic Party denied Michigan the right to send delegates to its convention - when the party's presidential candidate will be chosen - because the state party chose to hold its primary early.
Of the Democratic frontrunners, only Hillary Clinton had her name on the ballot.Of the Democratic frontrunners, only Hillary Clinton had her name on the ballot.
She won a majority of the votes cast, but a substantial number went to the ballot listing for "uncommitted".She won a majority of the votes cast, but a substantial number went to the ballot listing for "uncommitted".
The campaigns for rivals Barack Obama and John Edwards had urged supporters to vote "uncommitted" to prevent Mrs Clinton seeming to make a clean sweep.The campaigns for rivals Barack Obama and John Edwards had urged supporters to vote "uncommitted" to prevent Mrs Clinton seeming to make a clean sweep.
The Democratic candidates were taking part in a debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, where caucuses will be held on Saturday, as the Michigan results came in.The Democratic candidates were taking part in a debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, where caucuses will be held on Saturday, as the Michigan results came in.