A Look at the 2008 Presidential Race

IN THE HEADLINES ... Republicans scramble in South Carolina after three big races with three different winners ... Romney's Michigan GOP presidential win helped by party, Bush loyalists.

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GOP candidates scramble for SC win

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The pressure's on for Republicans to show staying power in a presidential primary race where, as Fred Thompson put it Wednesday, "everyone gets to be hero of the day."

After three major contests with three different winners, Republicans are deep in an anything-goes scramble for South Carolina's primary Saturday, with Mitt Romney the latest to take a victory lap. "I'm not making predictions about what's going to happen in every other state, but I'm feeling pretty darn good at this point," he said, coming off of a much-needed win in his native Michigan.

Thompson hopes it's his turn to be a hero.

"There's no question we've got to do very well here," said the former Tennessee senator, who fizzled in earlier states. "Different people are winning these different major contests and I think a different person will win Saturday in South Carolina. No one has settled in on anyone."

The same was true, with a smaller cast, in the Democratic race. Democrats competed for Nevada's caucuses, also Saturday, after a toned-down TV debate in which top rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama pledged to tamp down arguments between their camps over race.

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Romney wins loyal GOP voters in Michigan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitt Romney owes the Michigan triumph that revived his presidential bid to his ability to win groups his rivals wanted and to find happy, loyal Republicans. John McCain's defeat may be due to supporters who seemed to evaporate since his last time on the state's ballot.

Romney, who grew up in Michigan and whose father was a popular governor, got a big boost from the four in 10 who said his background in the state helped decide their vote, according to an exit poll conducted for The Associated Press and the television networks. Fifty-eight percent voted for Romney, overcoming the big lead McCain had with those who said Romney's state ties didn't matter much.

The former Massachusetts governor's victory also came from a far broader coalition, including many voters who national polls say can be hard to find these days. He dominated the six in 10 Republican primary voters who support the war in Iraq, the 53 percent who are happy with President Bush administration overall and the one-third who said positive things about the economy.

The economy, leading many national polls as the top issue on people's minds, was also the main concern of Michigan voters. Those most worried about the economy turned heavily to Romney, giving him 42 percent of their support, compared with 29 percent for McCain.

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THE DEMOCRATS

The top Democratic candidates — Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards — campaign in Nevada. Obama heads later in the day to an economic roundtable in Van Nuys, Calif.

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THE REPUBLICANS

Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, John McCain and Fred Thompson campaign in South Carolina. Rudy Giuliani campaigns in Florida.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"No one has settled in on anyone. Everyone gets to be hero of the day." — former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson on CNN

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STAT OF THE DAY:

On terrorism, 29 percent of those polled trust Republicans more, compared with 22 percent who prefer Democrats, according to an AP-Yahoo News survey conducted last month.

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Compiled by Ann Sanner

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	A Look at the 2008 Presidential Race	Associated Press	Mon Jan 14	3
	Romney Wins Loyal GOP Voters in Michigan	Associated Press	Tue Jan 15	0
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	Romney, Clinton Win Michigan Presidential Primary	FOXNews.com	Tue Jan 15	2
	Romney Wins Convincing Michigan Victory	Associated Press	Tue Jan 15	0