Day of reckoning and "dirty tricks" as Michigan votes - Reuters Africa

By Steve Holland and Sam Youngman

SOUTHFIELD/GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan (Reuters) - Mitt Romney accused rival Rick Santorum of dirty tricks for encouraging Democrats to defeat him in Michigan's primary on Tuesday, when voters will determine whether Romney gets a big win or a humiliating defeat in his home state.

Romney, running neck-and-neck with rival Republican presidential candidate Santorum in opinion polls, charged that his opponent was trying to "kidnap" the party's primary process in Michigan by appealing to Democrats to cast their votes in a contest that is open to supporters of both parties.

Romney's father was a popular governor and Romney was born and raised in Michigan. Arizona holds its Republican primary as well on Tuesday, with Romney leading in the polls.

A new poll on Tuesday underscored how the former Massachusetts governor is still viewed with suspicion by conservative Republicans.

The ABC News/Washington Post poll showed Romney had fallen to a new low among the most conservative Americans. He is viewed favourably by just 38 percent among strong conservatives, down 14 percentage points from a week earlier. Sixty percent of that group view Santorum positively.

To boost Santorum, supporters paid for an automated "robocall" to Democrats to encourage members of the other party to vote for the former Pennsylvania senator.

Democrats could tip the close race in Santorum's favour unless there is a big Republican turnout, in a year when the number of Republicans going to the polls has been declining steadily compared to the 2008 campaign.

Romney said the robocall helps make the race unpredictable.   Continued...