Mitt Romney Holds Commanding Lead Heading Into Michigan's GOP Primary

At Detroit Free Press, "Poll: Mitt Romney leads field to win Michigan Republican presidential primary."

WASHINGTON - He still doesn't have a clear majority, but Mitt Romney holds a clear — and potentially commanding — lead in a crowded field to win Michigan's Feb. 28 Republican presidential primary, a WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) poll showed today.

With clear support across all age and income brackets, Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who grew up in Michigan, had the support of 34% of likely voters who said they were backing him or were likely to vote for him next year.

He led former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who had 20%, and former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain, who had 13%. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas was next with 8%. No one else in the field of eight had more than 5% support. Thirteen percent were undecided.

It's still way early, and that poll has a huge margin of error, but this is interesting given my earlier reporting on Michigan: "Michigan's Macomb County May Not Break for Obama in 2012."

Michigan's going to be a crucial battleground, with 16 electors in play. I can't wait.