Mitt Romney's Michigan Roots Aren't as Strong as One Might Think

(WJBK) - O.K. How many of you have fond memories of former Gov. George Romney?

That takes care of the nursing home crowd.

Now, what about the rest of you?

The Mitt Romney for President gang is assuming that because their guy is a “native son” that will count for something in the upcoming Michigan GOP primary on Feb. 28.

Native what? A whopping 62 percent do not consider him to be one of us at all. And if the Romney-ittes are hoping for a halo affect from the former Gov. George, forget that, too. Only 39 percent have a favorable opinion of Mr. Romney’s dad and 46 percent have no opinion about the senior Romney. And the rest are going, George who?

This may be part of the reason the state’s not-so-favorite-former favorite-son is losing to a guy who has probably never been here until this week -- Rick Santorum.

Yes, indeedy. The Public Policy Polling folks have the former favorite son of Pennsylvania doing better than the forgotten favorite-son Mitt.

Who’d thunk it?

Now, the poll has some fish hooks. For example, Santorum enjoys more support among democrats than Romney. There’s a reason for that. The dems want him to run against their guy because he would be easier pickin’s than Mr. Romney.

Mr. Romney’s supporters around here are more committed to him but just over half the electorate is wishy-washy and open to changing their minds.

So it looks like the state is in play and the warm memories of the former Gov. George Romney is not a factor unless you’re reading this in heaven.