Romney Preparing to Lose Michigan?

Mitt Romney might have to concede that he is going to lose the State of Michigan to the surging Rick Santorum. Michigan was called a “Must Win” by Romney a few weeks ago when he was up in the polls there. His staff is now out quietly saying that it would not be such a big deal if Michigan went for Santorum.

Michigan has only 30 delegates. It was punished by the national party for moving their primary up to February 28th. Romney had surged in Michigan polls this year and he had beaten John McCain there in 2008. Lately though his number have gone down and polls show Santorum ahead anywhere from 3-14 points in the State. Romney was born in Michigan and his father served three terms as Governor there.

Romney is trying to focus the campaign on Arizona which holds its primary the same day as Michigan. Romney is well ahead of all challengers in Arizona.

But still a win for Santorum in Romney’s home state of Michigan would be a huge blow against the former Massachusetts governor and Republican front runner.

Newt Gingrich, another one of Romney’s top challengers agreed that it will be a huge loss if Romney loses Michigan. Romney’s biggest weakness has been his inability to fire up the Republican base to take on Obama in 2012. If he can’t even jazz up his home state for a primary what does that say?

Gingrich told Fox News,

“It would be a huge blow to any of our campaigns to lose our home states, Santorum in Pennsylvania, Romney in Michigan or me in Georgia.”

Do you think it is a big deal if Romney loses Michigan?