Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Romney Win   [John J. Miller]

A couple of quick observations on Romney's win:

1. Reaching Out: Romney's stronghold was supposedly the Detroit area, with McCain and Huckabee doing well outstate. That proved to be more or less true (see this graphic), though Romney scored victories in Kent County (i.e., Grand Rapids), the Midland-Saginaw-Bay City area, Grand Traverse County, and even Chippewa County in the Upper Peninsula. In other words, Romney kept what was said to be his regional base and penetrated what was said to be his opponents' territory.

2. Whose Base? The Detroit News claims that Romney didn't merely tie Huckabee among evangelical voters, but actually beat him. It doesn't give the exact numbers—just makes the statement here.

3. Consistency: Across 83 counties—from urban Wayne County to snowbound Keweenaw County—Romney came in first or second place 81 times and McCain all 83 times. Huckabee had 2 second-place finishes and 81 third-place finishes. None of the other candidates finished in the top three anywhere.

01/16 05:44 AMShare