It's Michigan's turn — Mitt pledges to fight for auto industry

DETROIT — It was the practical, family-size minivans on display at the famed North American International Auto Show that first caught GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's eye Monday during a tour designed to show his commitment to the state's flagging automaking industry on the eve of Michigan's primary election.

But Romney also admired some of the standouts of the annual show, the exotic concept cars — including a sleek two-seater Jeep Renegade. Jeep, now part of Chrysler, used to be made by American Motors — the company his father, George, ran here in the 1960s before becoming Michigan's governor.

That's a tie to Michigan that Romney is hoping voters will remember when they cast their ballots today. Polling continued to show that the race between Romney and Arizona Sen. John McCain, who beat Romney in New Hampshire Jan. 8, is too close to call. And former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who won in Iowa, is not far behind.

Both McCain and Huckabee were at the massive auto show, too, and all of the candidates attracted the attention of at least some of the several thousand reporters from around the world credentialed to cover the much-anticipated event where dozens of new cars are unveiled.

"I'm convinced the future of this industry is bright," Romney told reporters, offering a similarly upbeat appraisal of his own political fortunes.

"I do believe that overall, I'm going to win," he said. "And one thing's for sure: I'm not going to stop at the end of Michigan. Win or lose, I'm going on to South Carolina and Nevada and all the way through February 5 and hopefully beyond." More than 20 states, including California, New York and Utah, will vote during the so-called "Super-Duper Tuesday" Feb. 5.

The Democratic presidential candidates have withdrawn their names from the race because Michigan moved its primary to Jan. 15, in violation of the Democratic National Committee rules. As a result, none of the top-tier candidates will campaign in the state, and only New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel will appear on the ballot.

Romney has delivered the same optimistic message about the Michigan economy during his campaigning in the state. He's said repeatedly that America's troubled auto industry can be turned around and he's the candidate to get it done. It's a new focus on economic issues for a campaign that is struggling to stay in the race for the Republican nomination after losing two early key states.