A senior Republican said Wednesday the prolonged intra-party fight for the presidential nomination only strengthened the party, arguing the bitter division created between candidates would be history by the time the election was held.

With former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney barely winning his childhood home Michigan Tuesday, the prospect of a prolonged intra-party fight has worried some people inside the party, but Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus told the CNN on Wednesday he felt "good about this," saying "having a tough primary is a good thing or a bad thing. I just happen to believe that it's good for a party."

Priebus said Republicans would have no problem rallying around a candidate after the primary battle settled, arguing there was plenty of time for a GOP nominee to generate support before the presidential election. The Republicans are to hold their national convention in August.

"I'm not nervous about this at all. I think the drama and the tough primaries is a good thing for us," Priebus said.

The Republican primary battle is shaping up as a two-man race between Romney and former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum, with former House speaker Newt Gingrich still hoping for a comeback on Super Tuesday in March, when 10 states cast their votes. Texas Congressman Ron Paul is also refusing to give up.