(02/14/12) - Two new nationwide polls show Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum in a statistical dead heat for the Republican presidential nomination. Just Monday, we told you about two other polls that show Santorum ahead of Romney among Michigan Republicans.
"It's all good news. We're feeling good," said Santorum at an event in Washington State.
A Pew Research Center poll now shows Santorum ahead of Romney 30-28 percent. In a Gallup Daily poll, Romney is the one on top -- 32-30 percent -- but the margin of error is plus or minus two percentage points. So what's causing Santorum's surge in the polls?
"As the economy improves, maybe some voters feel more free to vote on social issues," said Mott Community College Political Science Professor Paul Rozycki.
Rozycki believes Santorum's conservative social stances will play well in the western part of Michigan.
"Apparently social issues are key, and Santorum is hitting them in the cords," said Epic-MRA pollster John Cavanagh.
Cavanagh says he isn't surprised by Santorum's new lead in the polls.
"It has consistently been anybody but Romney, hasn't it?" he said.
Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich launched a new website Tuesday attacking the former front-runner's conservatism and putting him on the defensive.
Romney still has a huge financial advantage over his opponents, and is starting to buy time on Michigan airwaves.
The folks at Epic-MRA are scheduled to conduct their own poll of Michigan Republicans this weekend. Cavanagh expects upcoming visits by Romney and Santorum to have a huge impact on the polling results.
Friday, May 25 2012 3:18 PM EDT2012-05-25 19:18:19 GMT
(05/25/12) - The unofficial start to summer for some has already begun. AAA estimates more than a 1 million people will be on the road for the three-day weekend. ABC12's Kristen Abraham checked
The unofficial start to summer for some has already begun.
Friday, May 25 2012 12:32 PM EDT2012-05-25 16:32:31 GMT
(05/25/12) - Two men were rescued on Saginaw Bay Friday morning after their boat capsized. It happened about two miles off shore from Linwood. The coast guard received a call around 7:20 that the
Two men were rescued on Saginaw Bay Friday morning after their boat capsized.
Friday, May 25 2012 11:15 AM EDT2012-05-25 15:15:45 GMT
(5/24/2012) - The Montrose School District is investigating what the Superintendent calls an "unfortunate incident". A female high school student was removed from the classroom today after allegedly putting
The Montrose School District is investigating what the Superintendent calls an "unfortunate incident".
Friday, May 25 2012 11:15 AM EDT2012-05-25 15:15:10 GMT
(05/24/12) Summer is almost here, school is out and many teens are looking for a job. Forecasters are predicting that more companies will hire this summer. CareerBuilder.com reports that the outlook
Summer is almost here, school is out and many teens are looking for a job.
Friday, May 25 2012 11:10 AM EDT2012-05-25 15:10:11 GMT
(5/24/12) Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of Vassar is on the road to recovery after a devastating explosion in Afghanistan that claimed his limbs. Mills is receiving treatment at the Walter Reed Army Medical
Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of Vassar is on the road to recovery after a devastating explosion in Afghanistan that claimed his limbs.
Friday, May 25 2012 11:09 AM EDT2012-05-25 15:09:14 GMT
(5/24/12) FLINT (WJRT) - Large digital display signs in front of Deja Vu and The Gold Club, on Dort Highway in Flint, aren't going anywhere. But a new executive order signed on May 14th by Emergency Manager,
A new executive order puts a temporary stop to new dynamic display signs, like the ones in front of Deja Vu and The Gold Club.
Thursday, May 24 2012 6:47 PM EDT2012-05-24 22:47:10 GMT
(05/24/12) - A police chase, in Flint, ends with an SUV crashed into a fence feet away from a home with a small child inside of it. The suspect was wanted in a possible parental kidnapping case out of
A police chase, in Flint, ends with an SUV crashed into a fence feet away from a home with a small child inside of it.
