Romney says Huckabee won't get nomination

DETROIT, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney said in Michigan that GOP rival Mike Huckabee is unlikely to win the Republican nod for president.

"(There has) not been much time to take a look at his policies and his record," Romney said in Sunday's Detroit News. "He's got good support in Iowa. My guess is by the time Michigan comes around, people will have taken a very close look at his policies and record, and I don't believe it's likely that he'll be the nominee."

Romney's comments come as several national polls show former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee emerging from the second tier of candidates to contend with long-time front-runner Romney.

Romney attacked Huckabee's proposed "Fair Tax" program that would replace federal income tax with a national sales tax.

"Something like the Fair Tax is considered to be of great interest in Iowa," Romney said. "It would obviously be seen very differently in a state like Michigan, where suddenly every new car would cost 30 percent more. Michiganders would obviously have a different perspective on that."

The Michigan economy is one of the worst in the nation, with unemployment rates nearly twice that of the national average.