ATLANTA — Strategic Vision, LLC, an Atlanta-headquartered public relations and public affairs agency, announced the results of a three-day poll of 700 likely Michigan Republican primary voters.  The poll has a margin of error of ±4 percentage points.

John McCain

When Republicans were polled on whom they would support in 2008 for the Republican Presidential nomination, Arizona Senator John McCain led with 29%; former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney received 20%; former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee recieved 18%; former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani received 13%; former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson received 5%; Texas Congressman Ron Paul received 5%; California Congressman Duncan Hunter received 1%; and 9% were undecided. “Senator McCain polls very well among male voters and also among voters who list the war in Iraq as their number one issue,” said David E. Johnson, CEO of Strategic Vision, LLC.  “He fares poorly among social conservatives who at this point are mainly split between Huckabee and Romney.  Among those who identify themselves as evangelicals, Huckabee has a clear lead.  The race is still volatile with voters indicating that they may change their mind before the primary. “Romney does best in the central area of the state and among female voters,” continued Johnson.  “He needs to make stronger inroads among male voters and also among older voters to overtake McCain. Giuliani appears to be a non-factor although had he made a run for it, could have perhaps positioned himself to finish in the top three.”

Mitt Romney

When Republicans were asked how important it was for their presidential candidate to be conservative in the mode of Ronald Reagan, 45% said very important; 16% said somewhat important; 5% said not very important; 15% said not important; and 19% were undecided. “This question shows that the key to the Republican nomination for a candidate is persuading voters that they are a true Reagan conservative and most likely to carry on in the Reagan tradition,” said Johnson. When asked how likely it was that they might change whom they were voting for prior to the primary, 23% said very likely; 35% said somewhat likely; 29% said they were solid with their choice; and 13% were undecided.  “The fact that 58% of the voters could change their choice means that this race is very uncertain and Romney with his large campaign war chest could through advertising overtake McCain,” said Johnson. When asked if they prefer a candidate with experience or a candidate who represents change, 44% said they preferred a candidate with experience; 28% preferred a candidate who represented change; 28% were undecided.