Romney States Case to Auto Industry

Michigan's auto giants are battling a financial crisis as severe as any the industry has encountered in the past few decades. Their problems are largely the result of steady gains by global rivals and their dependence on profit from trucks and SUVs.

Executives and political leaders in the state have long been troubled by what they perceive as an unsympathetic ear from Congress and the White House. They say the absence of a national strategy to retain automotive jobs is putting the state at a competitive disadvantage.

At a rally before several hundred supporters at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Romney told the crowd that unlike policymakers who have ignored Michigan's economic plight, he could help "build a brighter, prosperous future."

"Michigan is facing challenging times," he said. He wrapped up his speech by saying: "Washington is aware of it. Have they done anything? No! I will commit this to you: If I am president of the United States, I will not rest until Michigan is back."

In the last three days, Romney has transformed himself into Michigan's favorite son, telling the group in Southfield that he alone could remember the Motor City's glory days. "I grew up in this state," he said. "I remember when Michigan was the pride of America."

A few attendees at the rally said that while their right to drive larger, less efficient cars was not their top voting issue, they appreciated Romney's support for it.

"The American people have a love affair with their cars. When I came here, I had never seen such large cars," said Philip Winteringham, a Romney supporter from Howell, who moved to the United States from England. He said he now loves large autos and owns a Cadillac sedan and a Chevy Suburban. "A gas guzzler," he said.

McCain started a final bus tour in Detroit, heading for the western part of the state, trailed by reporters -- and a gas-guzzling Hummer -- and holding rallies and town hall meetings.

At a town hall meeting in Howell, McCain answered questions for more than half an hour, promising to cut taxes, reduce government spending, make college more affordable and do more for veterans. He defended free-trade agreements and pledged to secure the nation's borders but said he does not support eliminating the citizenship birthright for the children of illegal immigrants.

"What we need to do is secure our borders, and then it's not a problem," he said to a round of applause.

McCain advisers said they are expecting a close race, but they also are counting on a repeat of 2000, when McCain surged to victory over George W. Bush in the state by winning an enormous percentage of the independent and Democratic voters, who can participate in the Republican primary. In 2000, McCain lost among Republicans to Bush but still won the Michigan primary by eight percentage points.

The 2008 race resembles that contest. McCain once again won the New Hampshire primary but has yet to prove he has built a campaign that can effectively turn out voters.

Romney's losses in Iowa and New Hampshire have called into question his early-state strategy.

Staff writer Sholnn Freeman contributed to this report.