Michigan delegates back McCain

LANSING, Mich., Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Michigan Republicans reportedly have elected delegates to the national convention who are likely supporters of party presidential front-runner John McCain.

The campaign of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee fought efforts at the state's Republican convention Friday and Saturday by McCain and Michigan primary winner Mitt Romney to deliver Romney's former delegates to McCain, The Detroit News reported Sunday.

Since Romney ended his presidential bid this month, the 45 delegates he had won in Michigan will go to the national nominating convention formally uncommitted to any candidate.

Huckabee's campaign believes at least five Huckabee supporters were elected to the state's delegation, adding to the two Huckabee won in the Jan. 15 primary.

McCain's campaign said the Arizona senator has 56 of the 60 delegates, which would leave Huckabee with four delegates.

The exact breakdown of the 60 delegates Michigan will send to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., this summer isn't expected to be known immediately.

Michigan delegates for now are told they won't all be seated at the national convention because the state moved its Jan. 15 nominating contest earlier than GOP rules allow. But state GOP leaders say they believe their delegates will be recognized.