Michigan Primary Results: Mitt Romney Tops John McCain, Mike Huckabee

The Michigan primary was about jobs and the effect that global competition has made on the auto industry. It was mainly a GOP primary since the Democratic side had only one front-runner listed on the ballot. According to the AP, turnout was low this year due to the fact that fresh snow was on the ground and the limited Democrat ballot.

The top three vote getters were former Governor Mitt Romney, Senator John McCain, and former Governor Mike Huckabee.

Mitt Romney won this primary by emphasizing his hometown roots and his business experience. His father, George Romney, is a former Governor of Michigan and remains a very popular figure. His roots paid off because according to CNN.com, forty-one percent of people who voted in the GOP primary said Romney's Michigan ties were important to them, according to exit polls. This state was a must-win for the Romney campaign after disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. While this victory does give his campaign new momentum, it also shows how far he has to go in order to get the nomination.

While McCain won this primary back in 2000, he did not fare as well this year. John McCain took second but his campaign has definitely taken a turn for the better since this past summer. It shows that his campaign has strength and staying power. It was hurt in Michigan by the lack of independent voters turning out to the polls. He definitely needs to show that he can not only court but win over the core Republican base in South Carolina if he expects to win the nomination.

Mike Huckabee did well in this primary since the evangelical community in Michigan is small. He also did not spend that much time in Michigan, instead choosing to focus on South Carolina. He needs to make sure that his impressive results in New Hampshire and Iowa are not flukes if he expects to win the nomination.

Although Hillary Clinton did win the Michigan primary, there was also a sizable amount of voters who voted uncommitted. Her true test of strength occurs in Nevada and South Carolina, where she will definitely be tested from both sides of the aisle.

Michigan was an important primary for the GOP, and it provided a good boost to the Romney campaign. In the end though, voters spoke at the ballot box and by staying home.