COMMERCE — Don't tell the Mitt Romney campaign that President Barack Obama has pulled away in Michigan.

The Republican nominee opened two campaign offices in Commerce and Riverview on Friday.

In front of a crowd of about 200, family and local politicians looked towards next week's debate between the two candidates as a bellwether of the Nov. 6 election results, regardless of recent news reports suggesting otherwise.

"We’re in good shape — in the latest, more-respectable polls, we’re a couple of points behind. We’re a field goal away. What we need to do is inspire people this last month and do well in the debates," said Scott Romney, of Bloomfield Hills, who is Romney's brother.

"If we can win in Oakland County, you win the state. There are probably a lot of Republicans in this particular area and getting a heavy (turnout) would really make a big difference in the whole county."

Campaign organizers reiterated the resources being put into Michigan: a campaign office in Marquette recently scored as making more "successful" phone calls than any other in the country.

In the next five weeks, organizers, conservatives from all over the region will be asked to donate time to sit at one of the "Victory Center's" dozens of phones and read from scripts designed to get out the vote.

The effort got off to an inspirational start Friday, as speeches from Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, and Ronna Romney McDaniel, who is spearheading her uncle's campaign in Michigan, riled up the packed crowd.

"We’ve been to a lot of victory centers and I have to say, this could be the best opening I’ve seen," said Romney McDaniel, who lives in Northville. "I’ve spoken with lots of people and Commerce Township is so excited about this. "

The center is located at 170 W. Commerce Road.

• More on Northville Patch: Q&A With Northville Resident Ronna Romney McDaniel