STRATEGIC LIMITS
The loss showed McCain the limits of his strategy of appealing to independents and moderate Republicans. Exit polls cited by the Fox News Channel showed that while McCain attracted much support from independents, the die-hard Republican faithful turned out mostly for Romney.
A win in Michigan would have made McCain, 71, the clear Republican front-runner. But he remains a potent candidate, leading the polls in South Carolina and Florida.
"It hurts McCain's momentum," said Merle Black, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta. "It would have helped him if he had been able to put two consecutive victories together."
"But McCain is still very competitive in South Carolina and Florida. So McCain will survive this loss, and it clearly indicates there is no consensus among Republicans about their nominee."
McCain, Romney, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson now turn their attention to South Carolina, the first state in the South to vote in the 2008 race.
"The winner in South Carolina has the chance to catch the momentum and carry this through Super Tuesday" and become the party's nominee, said Republican strategist Scott Reed.
Huckabee, the ordained Baptist preacher who won in Iowa with strong support from evangelical Christians, hopes to attract the same type of support in South Carolina.
But exit polls showed Huckabee splitting the evangelical vote in Michigan with Romney, suggesting Huckabee does not have a lock on that constituency.
Huckabee predicted to Fox News he will win South Carolina.
Besides Romney, the happiest candidate on Tuesday night might have been former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has concentrated on winning Florida.
Romney's win meant Giuliani still has a chance to win Florida and swing into February 5 with momentum.
"It's clear after tonight that while the race remains fluid and competitive, our strategy remains on track," said Giuliani senior adviser Tony Carbonetti.
