It’s shaping up to be a tight race in Michigan with Republicans John McCain and Mitt Romney battling it out for the top spot.

McCain is consistently drawing large crowds in the days leading up to the primary. At a town hall meeting Sunday in Howell, Michigan, he told reporters that he thinks the election will be very close in Michigan.
done

Privately, some aides are saying they’re not sure McCain can prevail in Michigan, but they feel more confident about winning the South Carolina primary on Saturday. Many polls show McCain running just behind Mike Huckabee there.

Rudy Giuliani has pulled all of its staffers out of Michigan as he goes all-in in Florida, campaign aides tell Fox. The Wolverine State’s Jan. 15 primary is turning into three-man battle between Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and John McCain.

Giuliani was competitive in Michigan until the early summer according to the polls, but has campaigned very little in the state and now lingers in fourth place.

done

Michigan GOP Director Saul Anuzis was on hand for Giuliani’s primary night party Tuesday in Manchester, NH where he told me that he believes Hizzoner could have been “very competitive” in his state. (video above)