Romney did have plenty of reasons to smile on Wednesday, however, following another "National Call Day" — similar to an event held a year ago to kick off fundraising for his presidential run. This time Romney brought in an additional $1.5 million for the remaining primary process and banked another $3.5 million for use during the general election if, and only if, he becomes the Republican nominee. Federal law limits supporters from giving more than $2,300 to a candidate for the primary election cycle and then allows contributions in the same amount for the general election. Wednesday was the first time Romney tapped supporters for money earmarked for the general election campaign.

Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics and a Romney supporter, thinks Romney can still win despite early setbacks.

"As long as Romney continues to pick up silver and an occasional gold, then ultimately he will prevail," Jowers said, because he's amassing delegates and is the only candidate competing in every race.

Plus, Jowers said, Romney continues to be the focus of the media's coverage of the presidential nomination process. "It's always about Romney and somebody different. As long as Romney is in the storyline, he's a contender," Jowers said.

Jowers said Romney lost to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in Iowa, thanks to Huckabee's strong appeal to evangelical Christian voters as a Southern Baptist minister. That affected Romney in New Hampshire, Jowers said. "McCain didn't have to go fight Huckabee in Iowa and talk about some of the more far-right issues," he said.

Romney may have been beaten in two of the first three states — but by different opponents, Jowers said, predicting a Michigan victory despite McCain's strong challenge. "I've got a feeling Mitt will win Michigan. People loved his father, and I think the 'favorite son' thing will work for him there," Jowers said.

Huckabee still poses a major threat in South Carolina, the first Southern state to vote. The state is also heavily evangelical.

"Huckabee has been absolutely shameless in trying to inject religion on the sly in everything he does," Jowers said. "So Huckabee is a big factor" in South Carolina.

Warren said a Michigan win would give Romney momentum for South Carolina, which falls only four days after Michigan. Warren agrees the state already shapes up as difficult for Romney, because some voters have concerns about Romney's membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"That's kind of foreign territory for a Mormon," Warren said. "Winning Michigan will help a lot, but his Mormonism doesn't do well there."

In a memo sent to Romney supporters, campaign manager Beth Myers highlights a new "Path to Victory" plan, which emphasizes that "no other candidate is competitive in as many states" as Romney.

"This is going to be a long race, but we have some great momentum, and will carry that momentum into Michigan," Romney said on Wednesday. "The success of today's events shows a continued belief that I am the only Republican candidate who can match up against the Democrats in the fall. My campaign is about the future of our country, and I will be ready to go toe-to-toe with the Democrats in the general election."

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Contributing: The Associated Press
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