Romney Leads McCain in Michigan: Poll

Mitt Romney has grabbed an 8-point lead over closest rival John McCain heading into the Michigan primary, according to the latest MSNBC/McClatchy poll of the state's voters. Romney needs the good news: he has reduced advertising in South Carolina and staked his continuing candidacy on Michigan. The poll puts Romney at 30%, McCain at 22%, and Mike Huckabee at 17%. The field winds up with Fred Thompson at 7%, Rudy Giuliani at 6% and Ron Paul at 5%.

Romney holds a strong lead among voters who cite the economy and jobs as their top concern, and among Republican voters; McCain is strongest among independents, and Huckabee among evangelicals, according to the poll. The reliability of polls has taken a hit, however, after pollsters failed to predict Hilary Clinton's New Hampshire win. Other polls see McCain and Romney tied—and one released yesterday said McCain was beating Mitt. (More Mitt Romney stories.)