McCain Pulling Out Of Michigan

The Politico reports that John McCain's electoral map is getting smaller:

John McCain is pulling out of Michigan, according to two Republicans, a stunning move a month away from Election Day that indicates the difficulty Republicans are having in finding blue states to put in play.

McCain will go off TV in Michigan, stop dropping mail there and send most of his staff to more competitive states, including Wisconsin, Ohio and Florida. Wisconsin went for Kerry in 2004, Ohio and Florida for Bush.

Marc Ambinder adds:

A McCain adviser confirmed the news but noted that the Republican National Committee's independent expenditure arm is still running ads there, and that McCain will keep most of his staff in-state. McCain officials and Michigan Republican Party officials declined to comment. Weirdly, McCain's staff scheduled a surrogate conference call with Mitt Romney for this afternoon, perhaps assuming that their shift in advertising would not be noticed or reported. The McCain move was disclosed one day after auto manufacturers based in the state reported record revenue declines. Previously, McCain has argued that Obama's intention to raise taxes on the rich would further deepen Michigan's worst-in-the-nation recession.

The move away from Michigan reflects the abandonment of any pretense that McCain can spend freely to expand the map for Republicans this year, and it's a sign that the campaign recognizes how the past two weeks have erased nearly all of McCain's gains since August. Instead, McCain's playing defense in states like Florida, Virginia and North Carolina, although his advisers do not consider the latter state as close as public polling suggests.

The AP says that the RNC ads up in Michigan are not expected to continue either.

McCain's campaign discussed the move today, saying that the candidate now needs to win Pennsylvania, Wisconsin or Minnesota.

"We felt like being able to play in Michigan up to this point was an offensive move," a McCain aide said. "As we close down into Election Day, our map is going to become more targeted."

Recent polls have shown Obama opening up significant leads in every battleground state, a stunning shift.

Comments

[4Detroit]

We who live here in the Motor City have felt the economic pain for a long time. Car inventories were so huge that make-shift grounds for excess inventories were used in Detroit and surrounding suburbs. What was telling is when in 2007 dealerships refused to order more cars from the Big 3. Cars were everywhere on huge lots just sitting there unsold. At the time republicans were trying to say it was a Michigan only problem and that our Governer, Jennifer Granholm, was at fault. But, I knew that it was much deeper than that. This was a national crisis not just a Michigan problem. John McCain now withdraws his campaign from Michigan, a place he would never win in the economic climate we have today. I am so proud of the people in this state for realizing that 8 is enough.

Bye Bye John and good riddens

[skippypicasso]

It's still tough going up North, but I'm seeing enough energy and enthusiasm for O/B so I'm hopeful that you downstaters will make us proud! Youppers are going to do what youppers are going to do--luckily there are only about 57 of them.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

This Hoosier would like to thank my neighbors to the north, the fine folks of Michigan. I promise I won't let you down, I'm spending this weekend canvassing and making calls to my fellow Hoosiers. Let's turn the entire Midwest BLUE.

[skippypicasso]

GO INDY!

[timbuktoo]

Na. I am in Kansas. These people are brain dead. Definitely the wrong side of the bell curve, and voting republican until we have the first American Coup d'état.

[alabaman]

If he pulls out of Ohio and Pennsylvania, he's toast. But that probably won't stop him from diving into the cesspool and seeing if he can drag O down with him.

[timbuktoo]

At this point if McCain loses Florida he is toast. With the possible exception of Wisconsin, all of the battleground states used to be Republican.

[iPolitics]

If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch you can get a free Obama for America app with news, updates, issues, meet-ups + more:

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[GLU]

From the people of the State of Michigan I say, thanks!

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

Yup yup. Just what yer Daddy shoulda done, Johnny Boy!

McCain--out of time, out of ideas, out of money and out of luck.

[Carolab]

Don't even THINK about Minnesota, John. We are blue, and we have an honest, progressive Democratic Secretary of State--with paper ballots and audits. So freak off.

[iPolitics]

Obama's on the defense? Hahaha.

[valleygent]

GET OUT...AND STAY OUT!!!

[LorettaSingbiel]

McSame pulls out of Michigan ... and good riddance to him!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08!
HOPE and CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN!!!

[NicoleAnon]

I hope you're all celebrating right now. All the people here who think he walks on water and will "save" the country - seriously, I hope you're really feeling good about yourself right now. Thank you for everyone you have done to make this country a better place. The bailout will be approved and then you can celebrate even more.

"Black lawmakers said personal calls from Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama helped switch them from "no" to "yes." Republicans and Democrats alike said appeals from credit-starved small businessmen and the Senate's addition of $110 billion in tax breaks had persuaded them to drop their opposition.

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., said he was on the verge of voting "yes," based on conversations with Obama. "I've got a man who I'm hoping will be president who's saying that's he's going to do the very things that I want done," he said. "It makes me feel a lot better."

Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., also said Obama was asking him to reconsider his vote. "I'm seriously listening," Rush said.

[gman1232]

Unless you're a Barr supporter I don't see your point. Bush, Cheney, and McCain have all been lobbying to get this passed.

[NicoleAnon]

I thought YOUR candidate was about CHANGE but if he is doing the same thing as them...

Forget it - trying to get his disciples to understand anything is impossible.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

I don't believe that Sen. Obama is the Messiah, and if I did I wouldn't vote for him because I believe in the separation of Church & State.

That being said, I do believe that Sen. Obama is an intelligent, informed, and exceptionally skilled public servant. I also believe that he has the potential to be not only a great leader, but perhaps one of the greatest leaders in our country's short history.

Please go peddle your racist, Reich-wing B.S. somewhere else. I'm sure you could make a lot of pals over on FauxNoise or with the Freepers.

[NicoleAnon]

I'm not really sure why you think I'm a racist but this is more proof that his supporters just can't handle having discussions like adults so they resort to insults.

If you're upset about the "black candidates" part that was a EXACT quote from a newspaper - not me!

And Rush is not Rush Limbaugh, they're talking about...

Forget it...this is a little too advanced for you.

[mattybinks]

Don't let the door hit you in the 4ss!

[Intelligentia]

Just an Observation: Senator Obama, don't forget what happened in the primary in Michigan. Don't buy it. If McCain pulls out, do not relent on your strategy. Campaign as if you're losing Michigan until the election is over.

[armadillious2002]

Time to vote in the debate polls:

www.cnn.com

www.msnbc.com

www.drudgereport.com Please let's freep this one!

[noneIn2008]

Pull out of Michigan. It will be Dem independent of any effort. Actually, the voters in Michigan should pull out of voting Dem or Rep and let their voice be heard by voting 3rd party. If you simply vote the party line, your Presidential vote will be lost in the given factor. Same for those poor voters in NY, TX, IL, CA where your vote will not count, as your state is already in a big 2 given column.