Pro-Santorum ads launching in Michigan, a key state for Romney
With polls showing Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum leading in Michigan -- in spite of Mitt Romney's ties to the state -- a pro-Santorum super PAC is investing nearly $700,000 in Michigan ads to help give Santorum a final boost there.
The super PAC, called the Red White and Blue (RWB) Fund, is spending $663,500 in ads across the state -- essentially matching the $640,000 the pro-Romney super PAC Restore Our Future is spending there.
Restore Our Future has used its funds to slam Santorum on issues like earmarking, but RWB Fund adviser Stuart Roy said in a statement that his group "won't get pulled into the type of 'spitting' match that Romney likes to engage in." At the same time, he said, "We also won't let attacks go unanswered."
That angle mirrors the media strategy the Santorum campaign itself has employed in Michigan. Santorum recently promised to run a positive campaign against Romney, but his team nevertheless launched an ad attacking Romney for mud-slinging.
The expectations are high for Romney in Michigan. The former Massachusetts governor was born and raised there, and his father was a popular governor. Romney won the state in the 2008 presidential primary.
Romney himself is also responsible in part for setting high expectations: In an interview with Michigan reporters, when asked whether he could lose the state, Romney said, "Well, that won't happen."
"I was asked the other day ... 'Has this come down to a two-person race?' And the answer is it has always been a two-person race," Romney said. "First it was me against Donald Trump. Then it was me against Michele Bachmann. Then it was me against Herman Cain. Then it was me against Rick Perry. Then me against Newt Gingrich. And now it seems to be me against Rick Santorum. And in each case I have been able to make my case and garner sufficient delegates to still be in this race and to have good prospects to become the nominee."
The latest poll of likely Republican primary voters in Michigan, conducted for the Detroit News, shows Santorum leading Romney 34 percent to 30.4 percent. Other recent polls also gave Santorum a slight lead.
The Michigan primary takes place on February 28.
