NPR reports:
In a 4-2 vote, the Credentials Committee of the Michigan Republican Party apparently reversed course on a stated delegate selection formula and awarded both statewide delegates to Mitt Romney. The committee includes three Romney supporters, but no Rick Santorum supporters.
The move changed the final Michigan delegate count from a 15-15 tie between Romney and Santorum to a 16-14 Romney win.
Under the rule as described to NPR prior to Tuesday’s election, Romney and Santorum each would have received one of the statewide delegates.
In a conference call with reporters tonight, the Santorum campaign blasted the decision, accusing the Credentials Committee of changing the rules after the election had taken place and arguing that it had been motivated by committee members wanting to see Romney get a delegate win, not a tie, in his once home state. They also highlighted former Michigan attorney general (and Romney endorser) Mike Cox’s quote to the AP. “I have this crazy idea that you follow the rules,” Cox, who is a member of the Credentials Committee (and who was one of the two who did not vote for the change), said. “I’d love to give the at-large delegates to Mitt Romney, but our rules provide for strict apportionment.”
“Rick Santorum encouraged Democrats in Michigan to hijack the Republican primary,” said Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul in a statement. “Because his strategy failed and Mitt Romney won, he is now attacking the Republican Party. The Romney campaign respects the process as determined by the Michigan state party, and we are pleased that we have been awarded a majority of the delegates. We are now focused on the upcoming contests.”