Obama wins presidential vote in Michigan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama won the presidential voting in Michigan on Tuesday, defeating Republican rival John McCain in a state where the ailing auto industry made the economy a top issue for voters, U.S. media projected.

Most opinion polls before the election had shown Obama leading, but until mid-September his lead had been narrow and occasional polls showed McCain ahead. Michigan voters have not backed a Republican for president since George H.W. Bush in 1988.

The victory gave Obama Michigan's 17 electoral votes. A candidate needs 270 to win in the United States' indirect system of presidential elections.