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TRAVERSE CITY, MICH – Returning to Michigan after a brief trip to Florida for the rained-out Daytona 500 race, Mitt Romney began his closing arguments Sunday night, telling an audience of Michiganders that he needed their help. He pressed them to help him create a new national movement.
"I need you guys to get out and vote," Romney told an audience of more than 500 in this town on the Michigan's northwestern edge.
"I need your help. I want us to take that first step towards a better tomorrow. I want us to restore the greatness of America," Romney said.
Michigan has assumed an unusual importance in the state primary. Romney, the son of a three-term Michigan governor, and who was born and raised in the state, was presumed to clinch the nomination with ease. But recent polls show Romney in a dead heat with former Sen. Rick Santorum.
Santorum also visited Traverse City, a town of roughly 14,000 today. He drew a smaller crowd, about 250 people, at a campaign stop this afternoon.
Gus Batsikouras, an automobile sales manager, and his wife Sandra Batsikouras attended both candidates’ events. He wanted to test-drive both candidates in person.
Batsikouras, who supported Romney in the 2008 primary here, told NBC News before the Romney event that he hadn’t made a decision.
"They can say they have the greatest product out there, but unless you test-drive it, you'll never know," Batsikouras said. "I want a concrete plan of action for what he's going to do when he gets into office."
Although he voted for Romney four years ago, Batsikouras said he had reservations about the former Massachusetts governor that had little to do with Santorum. He said his main concerns are energy, national defense and the economy.
"We're not sure who is going to show up – which Romney is going to show up," Batsikouras said. "Is he going to hold true to what he's saying? I still need to figure that out."
Following Romney's address, in which the candidate addressed Batsikouras' concerns: Energy (build the Keystone Pipeline System), national defense (increase shipbuilding, add 100,000 more troops) and the economy (a 20-percent tax cut across the board), the couple was impressed but not sold.
"My only knock against him is he wasn't very specific He's still generalizing things," Batsikouras said. "Bottom line is how are they going to execute?" Batsikouras said. "Both [Santorum or Romney] will do a fine job. No doubt about that."
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right mitt newt and rickie that the ticket huhuhuhuh
Santorum thinks stay free mini pads are free government housing for dwarfs...
good one...
dow 6500 after bush now 13000,,,highest dow in 3 and a half years....nasdaq 11 year high....unemployment losing 750,000 jobs bushes last month up 250,000 last month under obama all that with boehners' 9% house that's suppose to do the legislativing 40 bills pelosi's first year 900 pelosi's approval 40%...pelosi's 169 days of work boehner scheduled 109 this year........yes the republicans have worked hard to ahh oh ruin the country...remember where are the jobs boehener favorite he promised jobs leg and yet to get it he promised healthcare bill alternative...where john boy...lie lie lie...
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marc..if this was a boxing match they would stop it !! I almost feel sorry for the GOP...But not quite... because they also have a safety net...OUR MONEY !!!
And 3 1/2 years ago, who was in office? The market as well as the economy started on the down slide May/June of 2008 when it became quite clear that the Democrats were going to take the White House as well as have the Congress as a majority. Business has a way of knowing/foreseeing what is coming and reacted accordingly. Now that there may be a chance that tide will turn, the upswing is here.
Show me one month in which we lost 750,000 jobs. Just one.
Yes, all of Bush's fiasco's where just pre-emptive strikes against Obama by big business. Even the war in Iraq was caused by Obama's blood lust.
... and I endorse Romney, you snobs.
If you are endorsing Romney what better way to indicate you are a snob. Along with Trump, et.al. What happened in the last couple of days? Get Brainless Brewer itis? Wish you a speedy recovery in coming back to your senses.
There are not enough uneducated Koolaid drinkers in this Country to re-elect Obama to give him a 2nd chance of screwing up this economy further. THe guy is a street "organizer" rabble rouser not a leader of Presidential timber. You have had your affirmative action with this dude; now grow up and put a man in the office before you destroy your country. Rather than voting for Obama AGAIN, consider oding on Meth?
Dear Michigan residents, and Hot? Daddy? Hope thats your screen name, cuase your Momma sez you ain't so hot!
You have seen what Romney has said?
If up to him...... Michigan would be a ghost town. Not like it isn't already.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLWnB9FGmWE
Rich @!$%#s will by up long time blocks of homes and make a killing off of the GOP stupidity and market changes.
Here is what Romeny has done in the past, but he can't get it off the internet becuase it's true!
SUPER TUESDAY!!!!!! 2/29/2012
Tell Romney that his "ROOTS" in Michigan won't do a thing, except extending his BS for the rich, and poverty like Michigan and other states have.
Doem309, sounds like you're another Democrat out campaigning for BHO by trying to get the GOP to vote for Santorum, because we all know Pres. Obama would rather face Santorum than Romney. Scared of Mitt, are you?
It's ok... It's a common theme on the Vine, just as personal attacks against other posters who don't agree with the Left are...
Keep it up. It really boosts your image. Yeah, right.
So, Romney shows up in Daytona, and they cancel the 500 for the first time. What's that tell you?
Money can't buy you the weather. Poor Mitt.
"Romulian Romney" wanted to let the US Auto Industry go bankrupt! WOW! Michigan voters need to know that the GOP "Speculator and Chief" is a job destroyer. NOT a job creator! That is fact! "Romulian Romney" is a "Bain Trained,"and is well trained in causing "Economic Ruin." The great states of Arizona and Michigan need to keep in mind. That the GOP "Flip-Flopper and Chief" is all for letting all home owners in foreclosure go bankrupt. This is how the GOP "Recycler" thinks, and his economic policies clearly show this. That is fact! In the 1980's, the "Romulian" is a big believer in "Tinkle Down" Economics. Hey Middle class, Working Poor, elderly, and disabled. What are thoes huge yellow wet spots on your economic shoulders?? The "Romulian" has his political "Bird Of Prey" ready for an economic, political, social, and cultural attack on 99% of America. That is fact!
I will make sure to drive my handicapped wife to vote tomorrow, I already voted as I am a Florida resident. We do live in Detroit 10 months out of the year and living here we see what the Democrats have done to this city, and what Mr Snyder has done to make this state better in one year. . Im sure she will vote for Mr. Romney.
You leftist just can't EVER tell the truth can you? Must get your info from the soon to be out of business Media Matters
You do know that we have a Constitution that puts limits on our federal government where most of the "civilized countries in the world" does not? Could that be the differenece? Besides, you can not show where in the US Constitution the feds have the authority to force me to pay for your health insurance or require me to buy health insurance from a private company.
I will vote for whoever is running against OBAMA. I do not know how anyone can vote for him. Because of HIM our country is going to the dogs. He is using us against each other. I cannot stand him. By, the way, can the ILLEGALS vote in the U.S.? Obama is rushing to the Latinos and Mexicans who I do not think can vote here. He also said in a speech that he has 5 more years to do the changes for the ILLEGALS. When did he decide he was going to win another term. PLEASE AMERICANS, get him out of office. Where are the reporters who have not spoken against him since he got elected. The Democrats always have their mouth open why not the Republicans. They better open up and give him some pressure. Al Sharpten and the other guy talk about the Republicans but that is alright. If we spoke against him, (OBAMA) that would be racist.