Romney triumphs in Michigan
Wednesday, 16 Jan 2008 07:45
Mitt Romney won with a nine-point lead over John McCain
Mitt Romney won his first primary in Michigan last night, further opening the race for the Republican nomination to be president of the United States.
The former Massachusetts governor had a nine-point lead over John McCain, who won in New Hampshire.
The result leaves the Republicans with three different winners in three different primaries.
Iowa primary winner Mick Huckabee was placed third last night.
Mr Romney, whose father was governor in Michigan, told his supporters the result was "a victory of optimism over Washington-style pessimism".
"Only a week ago a win looked like it was impossible, but then you got out and told America what they needed to hear," he added.
"Tonight proves that you can't tell an American there's something they just can't do, because Americans can do whatever they set their hearts to."
The Democratic party removed Michigan's right to send delegates to its convention this summer, when the party will choose its presidential candidate, due to a dispute over the primary's scheduling.
Hillary Clinton won the Michigan primary and was the only name on the ballot paper after Barack Obama and John Edwards withdrew their names following the dispute.