DETROIT — Michigan Republican leaders united in their desire to see President Barack Obama lose in November used this weekend's state convention to mend fences among party activists after a contentious primary season and swing support behind native son Mitt Romney.

Republicans gathered at the convention Saturday were treated to pro-Romney speeches by former candidate and ex-Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus, as well as a video appearance by Romney's wife, Ann. To drive home the message, just off the stage was a parked Romney campaign bus patriotically painted in red, white and blue.

The state party largely united behind the former Massachusetts governor on Friday night when members chose delegates and alternates to the party's national convention in August. Of the 42 Michigan delegates awarded, Romney won 32, six appeared to go in support of Texas Rep. Ron Paul and the remainder went for tea party and other conservatives who aren't traditionally Romney supporters, according to Stu Sandler, a GOP consultant.

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Of Michigan's entire delegation of 59, which includes at-large members selected Saturday, 50 support Romney, said Lori Wortz, Michigan consultant to the Romney campaign. Only half of the delegates will have voting rights at the national convention since Michigan Republicans lost some votes by holding its presidential primary before March 6.

Romney benefited from former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum's delegates, who threw him their support. In the Michigan primary on Feb. 28, Romney won 16 delegates and Santorum won 14.

Romney and his supporters hope the state convention is a springboard to winning Michigan and the nation in November. No Republican has won Michigan's electoral votes since George H.W. Bush in 1988, but Romney is hoping his ties to the state and his late father's achievements as an auto executive and governor will help him carry the state this fall.

Don Koontz, 62, of Nottawa Township in mid-Michigan's Isabella County said he's a Paul supporter who doesn't care for Romney, but "if he's our candidate I'll definitely support him in November." Koontz said the convention is a good place to let dissent be raised and all voices heard.

"Right now we do our bickering," he said. "Once that's decided we are one house."

One note of contention came when attendees voted out two incumbents from their seats on the Republican National Committee. After ballots were cast, Saul Anuzis conceded the race to state Rep. Dave Agema of Grandville, as did state Rep. Holly Hughes, who lost to former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land.

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Anuzis, former chairman of the state Republican party, disputed accusations that he was a lobbyist and not conservative enough for the post. Current state GOP Chairman Bobby Schostak played down the division, saying he didn't believe Agema or Anuzis was "any more to the right" and said he didn't see the outcome having any effect on the state's support of Romney.

Still, some aren't climbing on the Romney bus just yet. Among them were Scott Calhoun, 31, and James Smith, 28, from the Upper Peninsula's Menominee County, who were part of a contingent of Paul supporters.

Calhoun said Romney is "not a shoo-in, yet," and Smith said the party establishment should not take for granted 20- and 30-somethings who "got into the GOP because of Paul."

"They can try and sell us Romney but I don't think they'll be successful."

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