An NBC News poll shows that GOP presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are neck-and-neck in Michigan, Romney's birthplace. Romney, meanwhile, has a comfortable lead in Arizona, which has a sizable Mormon population.
Less than a week before Tuesday’s crucial Republican presidential primary in Michigan, a new NBC News/Marist poll shows Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum locked in a statistical tie, while a separate NBC/Marist survey shows Romney comfortably leading in Arizona, which holds its primary the same day.
In Michigan – which has turned into a make-or-break contest for Romney – the former Massachusetts governor gets the support of 37 percent of likely GOP primary voters, including those who are leaning toward a particular candidate.
NBC-Marist poll results: Michigan | Arizona
Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, gets 35 percent, and he’s followed by Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 13 percent and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 8 percent.
NYT: GOP campaigns grow more dependent on 'super PAC' aid
“Michigan is neck and neck,” says pollster Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, which conducted both surveys.
But in Arizona, Romney is on safer ground: He receives the support of 43 percent of likely GOP primary voters, Santorum gets 27 percent, Gingrich 16 percent and Paul 11 percent.
And looking ahead to November’s general election, President Barack Obama enjoys a double-digit edge over his closest GOP competition in Michigan (a state Republicans are hoping to target), while he’s trailing the leading Republicans in Arizona (which the Obama camp wants to put into play).
Romney vs. Santorum ideological breakdown
In both states, support for Romney and Santorum breaks down along ideological lines, as well as whether voters have already cast their ballots.
In Michigan, Santorum leads Romney among self-identified Tea Party supporters, 48 to 29 percent, and those who describe themselves as “very conservative,” 59 to 20 percent.
Michigan voters: Santorum connects better than Romney
Yet among those who don’t support the Tea Party, Romney is ahead by more than 20 points, 45 to 24 percent.
And among those who have already voted absentee in Michigan – 16 percent of likely GOP voters – Romney leads Santorum, 49 to 26 percent.
NYT: After auto industry bailout, Detroit fallout trails Romney
The same ideological pattern is true in Arizona, although Romney performs much better with the most conservative voters there than in Michigan.
And among those who have voted early or absentee in Arizona – more than half of all likely Republicans voters in the poll – Romney holds a 30-point advantage over Santorum, 52 to 22 percent.
Obama leads in Michigan, trails in Arizona
Turning to the general-election race in November, Obama leads Romney in Michigan by nearly 20 points among registered voters, 51 to 33 percent, with 15 percent undecided.
Against Paul, the president’s lead is 22 points (53 to 31 percent); against Santorum, it’s 26 points (55 to 29 percent); and against Gingrich, it’s 28 points (56 to 28 percent).
What’s more, 51 percent of registered Michigan voters approve of Obama’s job; 63 percent of them believe the auto industry bailout was a good idea (including 61 percent of independents and 42 percent of likely GOP primary voters); and a majority think the president deserves credit for the auto industry’s recovery.
But Arizona is tougher territory for the president, whose approval rating among registered voters in the state is just 38 percent.
NYT: Obama offers to cut corporate tax rate to 28%
In hypothetical match-ups, Obama trails Romney by five points (40 to 45 percent); Santorum by three (42 to 45 percent); Paul by 2 points (41 to 43 percent); yet he leads Gingrich by five (45 to 40 percent).
The NBC/Marist survey of Michigan was conducted Feb. 19-20 of 3,149 registered voters (margin of error of plus-minus 1.8 percentage points) and 715 likely Republican primary voters (plus-minus 3.7 percentage points).
The NBC/Marist survey of Arizona also was conducted Feb. 19-20 of 2,487 registered voters (plus-minus 2.0 percentage points) and 767 likely GOP primary voters (plus-minus 3.5 percentage points).


Do you know who the GOP has to convince? The middle, and right now they are doing nothing but tear each other and Obama down. Unless you can argue convincingly that one of them has policy that will actually fix the domestic and foreign problems, why should we vote for any of them? They can't open their mouths without slurs against Obama. They can't defend their positions without slurs against Obama. Obama isn't going to be around to insult in order to make policy when they get to be president.
I am not a liberal but a realist. Taxes were lowered on the wealthiest citizens under the pretext that it would create jobs. Where are they? We fought two unfunded wars in the mid-east. How is that working out? We deregulated the financial markets so that people with no money could buy homes and wall street could sell the paper. How did that work out? The republicans in this campaign are talking about a balanced budget because they have nothing else to talk about (they never cared about it before- look at G. W.'S record). True Obama's spending is much worse but G. W. inherited a balanced budget and promptly did away with it. I hope Gingrich stays in the race. At least he wants to start a colony on the moon which is amusing since we can no longer afford to go into space on our own ships.
Gingrich for president of the moon!
@Jan
Great, there go our property values on our moon property. Just my luck!
These polls the past 24-48 hours are so slanted. Yesterday we were told that both races in Michigan and Arizona were a tie or Rick was leading. Now we hear today that half have already voted early and the lead is 20 points or more for Romney. So what is being reported today is a poll on a pool of the remaining 50% that will vote in about a week from now? Sounds like the media wants us to think there is a real story here. If Romney wins both, we will hear that he was suppose to win but he didn't win by a large enough margin. We have already heard this in Florida with a 15 point win and he got 50% of the vote in Nevada too. Funny how the stats of very conservative voters and tea party voters supported Romney more than the other candidates is now buried somewhere. Hard for the reporters to mention anything positive for Romney when it doesn't belong in their playbook to keep some type of news appealing. They all want to create the news instead of reporting it. Walter C. has rolled over in his grave so many times, he is now 20 ft below the surface instead of the original 6.
With these states elections, the voter turn out has been so low that is almost impossible to tell anything by it. Other than Romney might be damaged by his willingness to slink into the tea party muck, he has a far better shot of regaining the female vote. Santorum, the republicans need to muzzle him. The tea party is systematically destroying the credibility of the GOP.
In case anyone wants to learn about Mormons. their basic beleifs are the same as MUSLIMS. both only beleive Jesus was a mere prophet, both beleive in polygamy-4 wives . Both worship men that came after Jesus,,joseph Smith and Mohammed.Mormons believe good works and giving money to Salt Lake Hdqtrs will make you become GOD.. Muslims prefer Virgins. Utah wasnt allowed to become a state UNTIL the Mormon Church leaders signed a pledge with congress to STOP POLYGAMY. If you think mormons dont marry 4 wives.. I have some ocean front property east of Phoenix Az. 100 dollars acre. cash of course. Wanna know about catholics ? American history. catholics were not considered human when they first started to come here. They were not allowed to own property..not allowed to vote. Their loyalty was to the pope first, Its in the history books..lol We havent changed much in 200 years ,,have we ? Nixon had what was called SOUTHERN STRATEGY... Bash Kennedys Catholic religion. Kennedy will turn america over to the pope ETC ETC. High moral values of course.
TN4ever- Go to mormon.org my friend and then post back to us all how in error you are. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Where did you get this mere prophet crap? Joseph Smith is considered a Prophet of God the same as Noah or Abraham is considered. He was called by God to be the Restoration Prophet at age 15 to restore the truths and the Priesthood authority which had been taken away from the earth. Members of the Church don't worship Joseph Smith. Again, where did you get this understanding? Members of the Church haven't practiced polygamy since 1890. Please get out a piece of paper and do the math. 2012-1890=122 years ago. Where have you been? The Biblical principle of polygamy was briefly restored to the early saints. I guess if you have a problem with this you should take it up with God himself as he told many of his Prophets to take many wives in the Bible. Let's ask Abraham, Issac and Jacob if they were following God's will or not. Would you be surpised if they told you they were commanded to do so, and they obeyed God? Please get your facts straight next time my friend. Sounds like you have an agenda of some type.
tn4ever, ignorance can be so amusing! Morman basic beliefs are the same as Christianity's. Christianity's and Islam's basic beliefs are the same as Judaism. There is ocean front property east of Phoenix, and it costs much more than $100 an acre.
@Rick.
Weird, I didn't realized Christians believed in the Holy Trinity as seperate beings.
I didn't realize that Christians believed that there are different planets with Gods on it.
I didn't realize that Christians believed that if you attain the highest levels of Heaven, you become a god yourself.
Because those are all fundamental Mormon Beliefs.
Also, Holy Magical Underwear.
As I said, ignorance can be so amusing!
Rick - You are absolutely right - ignorance is amusing and you have shown your ignorance time and time again
So much so that you have become boring - and frankly not worth the effort
Read a good book, maybe more than a few
The poll doesn't matter. Neither of these two knuckleheads are going to be our next POTUS. Romney's too liberal, and Rick...well Rick is just plain freakin' nuts!
You're right about 2-faced Mittens & InSanitorium!
I just wanna know if they're gonna keep the comedy level in high gear or is it gonna be a snorefest tonite. We gotta keep SNL's ratings up.
With a new 'do, wouldn't Mittens look like Shemp from "The Thee Stooges"?
Not looking good for Paul or the Newtster.
You are right LTC72- Paulster should look at the pollster. Newster should watch a re-run of Bewitched so he can actually see the Eye of Newt up close. Where is Uncle Aurther and Aunt Clara when you really need them ! Probably over at the Cravits !
ltcommander - if you caught Rachel Maddow's show last night - Newt's benefactor is also supporting Romney- Newt is the shill to ward off Santorum's to pull votes for Romney
Crafty old billionaires! Money talks and BS walks - never so true as in this election
By the way this billionaire is under investigation would be nice to have a President in the White House
i think we could get to the bottom of these jokers agenda if they would submit to one test. its a new one and their all for it. tell them to get TVPed. they'll know what you mean. heck i here they love it and suggest . heck we all have wifes, mothers and daughters.
It’s funny that Santorum says that Obama is pushing his beliefs on the rest of us. And then clearly states that this is what he plans to do with his religion. Religious freedom means you are free to be a Catholic.
The right wing has said that they would vote for anybody over Obama. So what's the story now that they couldn't find anybody?
Can you show me where he said that he was going to "push his religion on us" My wife and I both said we cant vote for Santorum, but I didn't see what you stated anywhere.
He didn’t say you have to be Catholic but he was very clear that his objective was to make abortions and contraception illegal.
If Romney and Santorum are now in a tie, Santorum has only himself to blame. He took all his momentum and threw it out the window by espousing wildly off the wall remarks that came close to being ranting.
Out of all of them, I think Santorum would be better for our country in the long run. Santorum is the only one even talking about bringing manufacturing back to the US. Gingrich is one of the same Washington good old boys that have allowed American jobs to be rapidly outsourced over the past 15-20 years and Romney's a clown who's been downsizing companies here in the US by sending those jobs to other countries. They’re just giving us more the of same old political rhetoric.
We need whoever wins to Start Protecting American Jobs and do whatever it takes to bring back the jobs they let go. They've got to give us somebody who will stand up for the American people.
We need to bring manufacturing back to the United States of America and both parties are ignoring tariffs as a way to level the playing field, raise money and bring jobs back home. We need to bring manufacturing back to the United States of America! This not only gives jobs to the US citizens who would be working in those manufacturing facilities, but to the people that would be working in the businesses that would spring up all around them. This should also include the safe harvesting, production and distribution of our own natural energy here in the USA, rather than paying for fuel from countries where they hate us. Let’s keep that money and those jobs here in the US.
We may have to pay a bit more for products made here in the USA by US citizens, but at least we'll still have jobs and a future for our children.
The bottom line is that “Our Government” has to protect American industry and the jobs that those industries provide. If they do that, the rest will take care of itself.”
We need a 3rd party that actually does what's best for all Americans rather than just worrying about their party and winning the next election. Even though I usually vote Republican, I think they put the interests of Wall Street and foreign lobbyists above the interests of the majority of Americans (Middle Class US Citizens). Our so-called leaders (political leaders) are beholden to the same people who are exporting our jobs.
Under Clinton jobs to China, Under Bush I & II influx of illegals or cheap easily abused labor into the US and jobs to Mexico/NAFTA. (I voted for Reagan, Reagan, Bush, Perot, Dole, Bush, Bush, and McCain)
Both the Democrats and Republicans have to stop just arguing along party lines and actually get things done that are in the best interests of the United States of America and all US Citizens, including the majority of our citizens.
We need to bring manufacturing back to the United States of America and both parties are ignoring tariffs as a way to level the playing field, raise money and bring jobs back home.
Let's guess why? Oh that's right, tariff is a dirty word.
I guess we should keep letting Corp Boards, Wall Street and CEOs promote sending US jobs to countries where they work for slave wages, no benefits, no OSHA safety standards or no real environment regulations. How's that been working for us? The so-called “Global Market Place” is not a level playing field. Companies may have made higher profits by doing this, but they've been putting middle class Americans who are a good part of the world’s customer base out of work. I’m not a lefty or member of any union. I run a business that employs over 20 people and produces products that are purchased by customers that do manufacturing and packaging. I’m just an average Joe, but I've been saying this for more than 10 years now. If I can see it, so can our so-called leaders (political leaders) who are beholden to the same people who are exporting our jobs.
Out of all of them, I think Santorum would be better for our country in the long run. Santorum is the only one even talking about bringing manufacturing back to the US. Gingrich is one of the same Washington good old boys that have allowed American jobs to be rapidly outsourced over the past 15-20 years and Romney's a clown who's been downsizing companies here in the US by sending those jobs to other countries. They’re just giving us more the of same old political rhetoric.
We need whoever wins to Start Protecting American Jobs and do whatever it takes to bring back the jobs they let go. They've got to give us somebody who will stand up for the American people.
We need to bring manufacturing back to the United States of America and both parties are ignoring tariffs as a way to level the playing field, raise money and bring jobs back home. Bringing manufacturing back to the US not only gives jobs to the US citizens who would be working in those manufacturing facilities, but to the people that would be working in the businesses that would spring up all around them. This should also include the safe harvesting, production and distribution of our own natural energy here in the USA, rather than paying for fuel from countries where they hate us. Let’s keep that money and those jobs here in the US.
We may have to pay a bit more for products made here in the USA by US citizens, but at least we'll still have jobs and a future for our children.
The bottom line is that “Our Government” has to protect American industry and the jobs that those industries provide. If they do that, the rest will take care of itself.”
Whoever wins has to make our government start protecting American jobs!
Increase import taxes and NOT the American peoples income tax.
We need to bring manufacturing back to the United States of America!
Most US Citizens are not as concerned about the “Global Economy" as they are about being able to earn a living, their children’s future and the future of our country.
The “Global Market Place” is not a level playing field! We should provide tax incentives and if necessary even partial subsidies to companies that manufacture products here in the USA with US Citizens. We need to add tariffs that are proportionate to the inequities in wages and regulations in the country where the goods were produced and or where we’re importing them from. We could then use the money raised by these tariffs to help companies build state of the art manufacturing plants here in the USA, which would create more jobs here at home for US citizens, which would then in turn increase our income tax revenue.
We may have to pay a bit more for products made here in the USA by US citizens, but at least we'll still have jobs and a future for our children.
The bottom line is that “Our Government” has to protect American industry and the jobs that those industries provide. If they do that, the rest will take care of itself.
Hey, RestoreUSmfg...Most...not all, but most manufacturing jobs will not come back to the USA simply by looking at the robotics that you'll see if you visit a very modern, high tech, American factory, these days.
Even the auto mfg plants use more robotics (and less people) to do precision work, wiring, assembly, and putting circuit parts into autos and other maufacturing businesses.
Part of the "New World Order" of the American workforce! Just a sign of the future times. The future is now here.
BTW: Obama/Biden win again in 2012! No doubt!!
Rick Santorums head is full of "santorum".
The Republican idea of intervaginal ultra-sound reminds me of the days before womens sufferage,and the fight that womens right to vote turned into,only I believe that this will be a major defeat for the Republican Party.I believe there will be a lot of men that will side with the women in the end.Sen.Santorum go ahead make the Democrats day,you poor blind biggot.
Rick Santorum, Franklin Graham, Pat Robertson and their ilk have become the "Christian Taliban". All they need is to stop shaving and robes and turbans.
They are judgmental, critical, and act like they speak for God while they spew hate and intolerance. None of these men is "Christ-like". They are much more like the religious hypocrites of Christ' days that Jesus called out for their hypocrisy.
Politics make strange bedfellows: The extremely radical Catholics, the fundalmentalists and fundamentalist Jews all stick together in politics trying to roll back women's rights. What is humorous, however, is that when pressed, they will say that that the other two groups are going to HELL!
H-Y-P-0-C-R-I-T-E-S all of them. If there is a god, he has got to be shaking his head at this group.
THAT IS WHY THERE IS A WALL BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE!!!! Whose church do you want controlling your body?
Rick InSanitorium is simply using his religion to hide his juvenile bigotry, and to subjugate women to his BS morality. He'll be gone by early springtime.
Also, 2-faced Mittens will have grown about 3 or 4 more faces, by then, to put all over his confusing map/face. "...how high the trees are"...? "...severely conservative"...?
It's gonna be very easy for the Obama/Biden juggernaut to win. And...gettin' easier...! No doubt!!
Don't trust Romney Michigan, he will sell you down the tubes.
His word in not good.
Fairly Reliable Bob - If someone hasn't figured that out by now, then they are brain dead
Unfortunately what I see on these posts are more than a few are Don't know - don't care!
I guess it shouldn't be a surprise but....Mitten's dad was governor here in Michigan years ago, and before that....he was president of American Motors. I wonder if Mitty would have tossed his dad's company a life line, if he had the chance?
I'm not in the auto industry, but if I were, in any way connected....I'd have a pretty hard time considering Mitt as a viable candidate. Luckily I'm not republican this year....so it's a non-issue for me.
Is it a coincidence that:
A: All the letters in the word Mormon are in the word Romney
B. All the letters in "MONEY" are in his name also.. Ironic, isn't it?
C. All the letters in "MORE" are in his name as well.
Does that make Romney, a Mormon with More Money??
The term illegal immigration is so controversial now, that infiltrates every person’s life, especially when it comes to taxes and this painful economy. That's one of the reasons I don't want to pay my taxes, even though there is always the chance of getting audited? When I mail my return every April, I get so angry at the situation that I must support with my taxes, people who steal into this country, which is less for my family. Because of these unfunded mandates that taxpayers are forced to pay which the courts have determined to be applicable. I read in my daily observance of critical news reports in the Google) www.americanpatrol.com online, the suppressed media articles that the Leftist Press prefer you do not read. One news brief caught my eye about the U.S. Border Patrol, wandering the lengthy corridors of hospitals including the University of Arizona Medical Center (UMC).
Are they looking out for women, who are ready to conceive; that I don't know? What I do know however, pregnant women intentionally cross the U.S. border so they can deliberately take advantage of the 1965 immigration Act. Babies born to illegal alien mothers within U.S. borders are called "anchor babies" because under the law as an illegal entrant, it pulls the illegal alien mother and eventually a host of other relatives into permanent U.S. residency. First stop on their route into America is by 49 % who mislead the Immigration agent at the air terminal that they are just regular tourist or by 300 thousand plus flooding the country across the Southern border, heading directly to the nearest delivery room. Arizona, Texas, California are cursed with this ominous cycle and I am sure New Mexico suffers as well. Approximately 67 hospitals have gone bankrupt in border cities because of these unfunded mandates. The whole issue to be answered is that while illegal alien women go directly to these hospitals and pay nothing at all for delivery, while the American citizen--legal resident has no such loophole and is hounded by the debt collectors and even the courts. Having a baby costs hospitals, which is a unfunded mandate and eventually is paid by taxpayers.
The term illegal immigration is so controversial now, that infiltrates every person’s life, especially when it comes to taxes and this painful economy. That's one of the reasons I don't want to pay my taxes, even though there is always the chance of getting audited? When I mail my return every April, I get so angry at the situation that I must support with my taxes, people who steal into this country, which is less for my family. Because of these unfunded mandates that taxpayers are forced to pay which the courts have determined to be applicable. I read in my daily observance of critical news reports in the Google) www.americanpatrol.com online, the suppressed media articles that the Leftist Press prefer you do not read. One news brief caught my eye about the U.S. Border Patrol, wandering the lengthy corridors of hospitals including the University of Arizona Medical Center (UMC).
Are they looking out for women, who are ready to conceive; that I don't know? What I do know however, pregnant women intentionally cross the U.S. border so they can deliberately take advantage of the 1965 immigration Act. Babies born to illegal alien mothers within U.S. borders are called "anchor babies" because under the law as an illegal entrant, it pulls the illegal alien mother and eventually a host of other relatives into permanent U.S. residency. First stop on their route into America is by 49 % who mislead the Immigration agent at the air terminal that they are just regular tourist or by 300 thousand plus flooding the country across the Southern border, heading directly to the nearest delivery room. Arizona, Texas, California are cursed with this ominous cycle and I am sure New Mexico suffers as well. Approximately 67 hospitals have gone bankrupt in border cities because of these unfunded mandates. The whole issue to be answered is that while illegal alien women go directly to these hospitals and pay nothing at all for delivery, while the American citizen--legal resident has no such loophole and is hounded by the debt collectors and even the courts. Having a baby costs hospitals, which is a unfunded mandate and eventually is paid by taxpayers.
The cost for a baby delivery ranges today around $6.000 to $8.000 dollars, unless there is no problem with the birth. These are stigmata that Arizona who lead the charge against this government unfunded mandates, that hospitals costs must be absorbed or passed on to taxpayers. Alabama, Georgia, Utah, Indiana and South Carolina have been emasculated by these unfunded mandates, which include schooling to K-12 for illegal migrant and immigrant children, the emergency rooms crowded with foreign national families. Welfare programs are the epicenter for these people, as they now to work the system. The left say illegal aliens get food stamps, but the children do because of a mishandled law by the courts, have made it mandatory. Having four instant citizenship children is not only a nice handful of food stamps, but cash payments as well. I think Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul on the Republican ticket, as the cost is substantial. Take a few minutes and read the oscillating grades of the candidates for the White House at (Google) www.numbersusa.com By now most Americans who read the Conservative press, are aware that federal and state dish out over $113 Billion dollars a year to foreigners. Yet anybody who dares to speak up is a bigot or racist. So the politicians who have no backbone and are anxious about campaign contributions, stay silent.
“The Legal Workforce Act (H.R.2885) mandatory E-Verify will heavily punish businesses for hiring illegal aliens, who are stealing jobs from the majority of low income labor. Second in line of value is the “Birthright Citizenship Bill (H.R.140) that by an Amendment, will prevent the welfare abundance of public welfare check assistance to the illegal parent of a child smuggled or already here, if neither parent is a U.S. Citizen. These are bills that must be passed, specifically the Birthright Citizenship Bill, as it will contain the unfair privilege, given to illegal alien mothers smuggling their unborn into American for undeserved citizenship and then applying for handouts.
Every taxpaying American is complaining about both parties in Congress, but those same people cannot find a few minutes to contact their Senators or Congress persons at 202-224-3121 and demand the vote for both federal MANDATORY E-Verify or amend the ‘Birthright Citizenship' Bill. Once enacted into law a massive exodus will begin, as illegal aliens and family members will return to their country of origin unable to find a job; perhaps find it even more difficult to live a normal life, without looking over their shoulders for ICE agents?
Link to a chapter of your local TEA PARTY. Bring to a halt this financial fiasco, by giving away taxpayers money to subsidize illegal aliens? Only the TEA PARTY LEADERSHIP has the moral fiber to shred the current tax code and provide a fair and equitable tax system, without any loopholes for anybody. Every possible means available currently and in the future will be utilized to secure our borders, to halt Sanctuary Cities, Chain Migration. The TEA PARTY will adopt a regulated Guest Worker program, without a path to citizenship. It is solely the obligation of every American voter to check for non citizens registering for all future elections and inform the authorities. That every person voting must display official Picture ID, as there has been progressive voting by non citizens. The laws of the 1986 Immigration Reform & Control Act (IRCA) will be reanimated as original was to work. Sanctuary Cities will be banned and official who subscribe to any ordinance protecting illegal aliens will be sanctioned every possible means will be used to remove illegal aliens from this country and benefits stopped. Illegal aliens will be prosecuted for using stolen ID, including Social Security numbers and birth records.
All Americans must insure that every voter is checked against their official picture ID. Non citizens have been voting and will again, with the Democratic-Liberal aid such as ACORN, including illegal aliens. Those who believe in the principles of the U.S. Constitution and Conservative must be vigilant of absentee ballot fraud and voter registrations.