YPSILANTI, Mich. — Mitt Romney and John McCain clashed over their concern for the auto industry, while Mike Huckabee spotlighted his opposition to abortion, as the Republican presidential contenders campaigned Saturday before Michigan’s potentially make-or-break primary.
Romney, seeking a rebound Tuesday after losing to Huckabee in the Iowa caucuses and McCain in the New Hampshire primary, visited a General Motors plant after 200 layoffs were announced last week.
“In some respects, Michigan is like the canary in the mine shaft: What Michigan is experiencing, the whole nation will experience unless we fix what’s happening in Michigan and learn lessons here we can apply across the nation,” he said.
Romney criticized Washington for not doing enough, a none-too-subtle shot at McCain, who has said that some of Michigan’s lost jobs are gone forever. The Arizona senator defended his comment during a raucous rally before 400 supporters in Warren.
“I had to give some straight talk,” McCain said. “Jobs are leaving the state of Michigan. They have left and will not come back, but we’re going to create jobs, we’re going to create a new economy. This is the smartest technological place in America. . . . We can create jobs here.”
Huckabee’s focus on social issues highlighted his effort to reinvigorate the coalition of religious voters that propelled him to victory in Iowa.
“I don’t presume that you will support me because of a common faith,” Huckabee told 100 pastors in Grand Rapids. “. . . For a long time, those of us who are people of faith have been asked to support a candidate who would talk to us. But rarely has there been one who comes from us.”
While only 30 delegates are up for grabs in Michigan, the candidate activity highlighted the state’s importance in the battle for momentum.
