Romney: “I’m convinced that Michigan is going to be the state that selects the next president”

The winner of the Michigan Republican primary does nothing to squelch VP conjecture

Enthusiastic McCain volunteers greeted a crowd of about 200 attendees with handfuls of campaign stickers and piles of yard signs Monday afternoon at the official grand opening of Republican presidential nominee John McCain’s regional headquarters in Farmington Hills, Mich. They had come to hear McCain’s former rival and potential vice presidential running mate Mitt Romney give a “keynote address.”

In the video of Romney’s speech, you’ll hear him emphasize Michigan’s importance in the 2008 presidential race. He also highlighted his recent visit to John McCain’s home in Arizona, in which he “got to know [McCain] a little better.” The visit added to speculation that Romney is a likely running partner for McCain.

Continued -But perhaps the main focus of Romney’s 10-minute speech was to criticize Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. “The presidency is not the place for an internship,” he told a cheering crowd. He also took multiple swings at Gov. Jennifer Granholm along with Obama: “If you liked Jennifer Granholm running your state you’ll love Barack Obama running your nation,” he said.

The room, smaller than a high school cafeteria, was packed with young and old, women and men, but very few minorities. Handmade signs that read in big letters “Welcome Governor” and “College Students for McCain” decorated the walls, and many banners promoted Oakland County Congressman Joe Knollenberg, who’s running what looks to be a hotly contested race with Democrat Gary Peters, Michigan’s former lottery commissioner and a CMU political science professor.

Michigan Republican political heavyweights including State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, House Minority Leader Craig DeRoche and Sen. John Pappageorge, R-Troy, were in the crowd, which seemed excited and clapped loudly but never chanted and quickly dispersed once the event was over.

On her way out, a woman from Farmington carrying McCain yard signs seemed pleased with the event. “Wasn’t it great?” Murial Anderson said cheerfully. When asked if Romney would be a good VP candidate for McCain, she smiled. “That would be a winning ticket for Michigan,” she said.

A man heading to his car with a newly gotten yard sign also thought the former rivals would make a good team. “Romney and McCain really would work well together,” said John, who did not wish to reveal his last name. “But whatever happens, I want what’s good for the country. You know, this is a crucial moment in history, for the future of life as we know it.”

Chuck Yob, co-chair of the McCain campaign’s Michigan Committee, introduced Romney and called for people to unite and to help McCain win Oakland County. He explained why the McCain campaign chose that location for its regional headquarters:

“Why is it here? Since 1988, our president has not carried Oakland County,” Yob said. “So in order for us to win Michigan, we have got to win Oakland County, and that’s one of the reasons why this main, big headquarters is here. To show you how important it is.”

The Farmington Hills office will be the McCain campaign’s regional headquarters for Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan.