The Michigan and Arizona Republican primaries Tuesday left many wondering about the stability of Texas Gov. George W. Bush‘s campaign as well as where the support for Sen. John McCain‘s campaign materialized.

“Yesterday exposes a big chink in Bush’s armor,” said Paul Beck, professor and chairman of the Ohio State Department of Political Science. “His campaign has been centered on his invincibility and electability. Both of these were questioned Tuesday.”

McCain rallied for a “new McCain majority” in the two-state sweep Tuesday night, as he collected only one-fourth of the Republican votes.

McCain reached out to Republicans, stating, “Don’t fear this campaign, my fellow Republicans. Join it.”

“It is important for Bush to remember that McCain won with independent and Democratic votes,” said Pete LuPiba, president of the OSU College Republicans.

According to the Associated Press, Bush congratulated McCain, but added, “he’s going to learn that it’s Republicans and like-minded independents who are going to make the decision in the Republican primaries.”

Arizona and Michigan provide the latest McCain victories in a seesawing race for the Republican nomination. The senator also pulled off a victory in the New Hampshire primary on Feb. 1.

McCain captured 50 percent of the Michigan vote while Bush ended with 44 percent. In McCain’s home state of Arizona, he had 60 percent of the vote and Bush won 36 percent.

“I think what happened Tuesday was substantial for the McCain campaign,” Beck said. “Had he lost, it would have been hard to maintain a lead, but now he is back in business.”

One explanation for this McCain upset, Beck explained, is that we could be seeing a “fallout from the Clinton administration.” Many voters are leery of the current presidency, and see Bush as well as Gore, as insiders, while McCain maintains a neutral perspective, added Beck.

However, the candidates are only two weeks away from one of the largest primary dates, March 7, when Republicans in Ohio, California, New York and 10 other states vote.

“Ohio is Bush country,” LuPiba said. “All the state officials besides Mike DeWine are behind Bush.”

“March 7 is really going to be the battle ground of the primary season,” Beck said. “There is lots to pay attention to in the next month.”