But Roemer, a leader of the New Democrats' caucus, may have enough independent and business support to survive. The Democrat is Michael Graf. Bush and Gore won their first victories of the year in the Iowa caucuses and neither wants to yield this modest prize next week. First it was once a week, then it was twice a week, and at the end it was almost constant visits from Gore and Bush to the Wolverine State. Each thinks if he wins here, he wins the White House.
Polls are no help.
Yesterday's Detroit Free Press poll gave Bush a 1 percentage point lead. The Detroit News today reports its survey shows Gore up by 5 points. The banner House race in the Lansing-Flint district Stabenow has represented is equally close. At one point, Rogers thought he might get help from the top of the ticket, but if Stabenow carries her old district, it makes it tougher for him. It may seem implausible for the home state of Hubert Humphrey, Eugene McCarthy and Walter Mondale to be flirting with George W. Bush, but it's not as odd as it looks.