The early results from Michigan are in and it appears that self-proclaimed favorite son Mitt Romney has survived to fight another day. A quick glance at the Republican exit poll suggests that the dismal wintry weather and the aborted Democratic primary kept independents at home, much to the dismay of John McCain. (Independents were only 25% of Michigan voters, compared to 37% in New Hampshire.) The overwhelming importance of the economy in hard-hit Michigan also played into Romney's hands: a staggering 55% of GOP primary voters rated it as the most important issue and Romney trounced McCain 41% to 29% among them.
John McCain's inability to inflict the death blow on the Romney candidacy means the GOP race is still, of course, wide open. The question may be whether the fracas at the front of the Republican pack becomes an Anyone-But-Huckabee contest. Mike Huckabee's solid third place showing in Michigan, his current strong standing in South Carolina and Florida, and his proven ability to rally evangelical voters will make him a factor through the February 5th "Tsunami Tuesday" events. (It should be noted that Romney narrowly beat Huckabee in Michigan among evangelical or born-again voters 32% to 31%.) Whatever happens to John McCain, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson in the Palmetto and Sunshine states, Mike Huckabee will be still be standing.
Needless to say, the Republican establishment is terrified of a Huckabee nomination. (The National Review's Rich Lowry perhaps said it best, declaring it would be an "act of suicide by his party.") And Mike Huckabee isn't helping himself by frightening away voters with his dangerous mix of religion and politics. His statement Monday that Americans need to "amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards" is just the latest to boomerang against his candidacy.
Whether the ABH scenario occurs or not remains to be seen. Regardless, the continued Republican fratricide made possible by Mitt Romney's win in Michigan tonight should be fun to watch.