McCain Pulls Out of Michigan

Move points to problems winning over Dem states

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 2, 2008 5:27 PM CDT

(Newser) – The McCain campaign is giving up on Michigan, the Detroit News reports. The Republican is pulling all ads, mail, and staff there to focus on more competitive states, a move that points to the difficulty the GOP faces in winning blue states. Michigan—which holds 17 electoral votes—was seen as a key battleground for McCain, but polls showed him slipping further and further behind.

"I have always said that the winds that drive presidential campaign decisions can shift and shift suddenly," said the state GOP chairman. "I have no doubt the campaign will be back." Others were less confident of that but said it made more sense to put resources into states such as Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

The GOP had hoped McCain's solid showing in the 2000 Michigan primaries, combined with Obama's unpopularity among white working-class men, meant McCain had a shot at the blue state. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., holds a Spartans basketball jersey at a rally at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Supporters listen as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at a rally at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., waves as he arrives to deliver a speech on the economy at the Truman Library in Independence, Mo., Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Move points to problems winning over Dem states

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Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

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Move points to problems winning over Dem states

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • John McCain • Michigan • Election 2008

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[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

South the Big Winner in New Census

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

Just How Blue Is Michigan?

State loss could be disastrous for Dems

Most Popular National Politician Today Is ...

Hillary Clinton, as 'buyer's remorse' plagues a third of the country

Obama Campaign Becomes ... a German Musical

And yes, there's a Sarah Palin character

McCain Gets His Fight On

Rebounds from 2008 as feisty, fired-up partisan

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?