Victories give Romney pre-Super Tuesday momentum
Texas Rep. Ron Paul remains a factor as he attempts to mine delegates in caucus states like North Dakota, where his campaign team says the process plays to his strengths.
Super Tuesday is March 6, just three days after Saturday's Washington state caucuses.
Romney's slim victory in his native Michigan raised questions about whether he would change his strategy. He acknowledged Tuesday that he had made personal mistakes in recent weeks and said he was trying to "do better and work harder."
All four candidates face financial strains as they try to advertise in a series of expensive states to campaign. It would cost about $5 million to run a week's worth of heavy ads across all the states that vote on Super Tuesday.
Romney signaled Tuesday night that he intends to stick to his core campaign message of fixing the economy and reducing unemployment in a nation still recovering from the worst recession in decades.
"More jobs, less debt and smaller government — you're going to hear that" over and over in the states ahead, he said.
Romney scored a hard-won, home-state triumph in Michigan and powered to victory in Arizona, gaining precious momentum over Santorum in the most turbulent Republican presidential race in a generation.
"We didn't win by a lot, but we won by enough," Romney told cheering supporters in Michigan. He also tweeted his delight — and his determination: "I take great pride in my Michigan roots, and am humbled to have received so much support here these past few weeks."
The Super Tuesday races could go a long way toward determining which Republican will take on Democratic President Barack Obama this fall.
Romney will campaign Wednesday in Ohio before he flies to North Dakota. Santorum was already campaigning in Ohio when the verdict came in from Michigan.
"A month ago they didn't know who we are, but they do now," Santorum told his supporters, vowing to stay the conservative course he has set.
Gingrich and Paul made little effort in Michigan or Arizona, pointing instead to next week's collection of contests in all corners of the country.
Super Tuesday is March 6, just three days after Saturday's Washington state caucuses.
Romney's slim victory in his native Michigan raised questions about whether he would change his strategy. He acknowledged Tuesday that he had made personal mistakes in recent weeks and said he was trying to "do better and work harder."
All four candidates face financial strains as they try to advertise in a series of expensive states to campaign. It would cost about $5 million to run a week's worth of heavy ads across all the states that vote on Super Tuesday.
Romney signaled Tuesday night that he intends to stick to his core campaign message of fixing the economy and reducing unemployment in a nation still recovering from the worst recession in decades.
"More jobs, less debt and smaller government — you're going to hear that" over and over in the states ahead, he said.
Romney scored a hard-won, home-state triumph in Michigan and powered to victory in Arizona, gaining precious momentum over Santorum in the most turbulent Republican presidential race in a generation.
"We didn't win by a lot, but we won by enough," Romney told cheering supporters in Michigan. He also tweeted his delight — and his determination: "I take great pride in my Michigan roots, and am humbled to have received so much support here these past few weeks."
The Super Tuesday races could go a long way toward determining which Republican will take on Democratic President Barack Obama this fall.
Romney will campaign Wednesday in Ohio before he flies to North Dakota. Santorum was already campaigning in Ohio when the verdict came in from Michigan.
"A month ago they didn't know who we are, but they do now," Santorum told his supporters, vowing to stay the conservative course he has set.
Gingrich and Paul made little effort in Michigan or Arizona, pointing instead to next week's collection of contests in all corners of the country.
