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McCain giving up Michigan

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor October 2, 2008 04:06 PM

By Sasha Issenberg and Brian C. Mooney, Globe Staff

John McCain is giving up attempts to swing Michigan into the Republican column in November, officials with the McCain campaign and Republican National Committee told the Globe.

The Associated Press and Politico this afternoon are reporting that McCain has canceled a trip to the state next week, plans to stop running ads on TV after this week, and is dispatching staffers to states where he has a better chance to win.

While Democrat John F. Kerry won Michigan by three percentage points in 2004 and Democrat Al Gore won the state by five percentage points, McCain had targeted the state's 17 electoral votes. But the economic crisis, which hit Michigan earlier than other states, is proving to be unfriendly terrain for McCain, who trails Democrat Barack Obama in polls in voters' confidence in fixing the economy.

The decision to withdraw from Michigan was made by campaign officials on Wednesday night after polling showed McCain losing ground among independent voters, according Chuck Yob, McCain's co-chairman in the state.

"I see where they're coming from," said Yob, a Republican National Committee member. "The economy is so bad here and Obama's promised them the world. McCain has given them a much more sensible approach."

When McCain was considering Mitt Romney as his running mate, one of the factors recommending the former Massachusetts governor was his ties to Michigan -- his father George was a popular governor -- that Romney's supporters said could help McCain in the state.

A McCain campaign official said his efforts forced Obama, who hit the jobs message hard in two appearances today in Michigan, to play defense in the state.

The McCain effort there was "a map-spreading move for a Republican candidate this year," the official said, likening it to the Obama campaign's recent reallocation of resources from Georgia, North Dakota, and Alaska, all traditionally Republican states. "We will be moving resources to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and will be starting television ads in Maine, the McCain aide said.

McCain trails Obama in recent polls in all three of those states, which lean Democratic. Maine is one of two states, however, that apportion electoral votes by congressional district, and George W. Bush's campaign made an unsuccessful effort there in the past two presidential elections, particularly in the more conservative Second Congressional District in the northern part of the state.

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As long as Obama is willing to open up the Social Welfare Program that is sorely needed so that all people are equal I won't speak anymore.If you promise that you will pop that cork Barrack then you are the heroe.But it maybe too late for you Obama because Mccain/Palin administration are also planning to revisit the Social Welfare Programs given the state of the economy we're in right now.Instead of sending all that money to so called poor countries which doesn't seems true anymore wouldn't it be better to distribute it to our own citizens through the Welfare Program and in turn it will strengthen our economy at home.Now that will be a very successful administration if either of Mccain or Obama administration look at that plan.

Posted by skmj October 2, 08 04:37 PM
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New Releases Scheduled for November 4, 2008

Movie:
Forgetting Sarah Palin

Play:
The Lying McKing

CD Single:
Gone, Gone, Gone, Gone Baby Gone

Sitcom:
M.A.S.H.ed
(McCain and Sarah Hammered)

Dessert:
Baked Alaskan

Posted by DM October 4, 08 09:26 AM
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The mud, I mean pond scum slinging is about to begin.
McCain has pulled out of Michigan to free up resources to start slinging.
He states, it's to focus on Maine, what a joke, he wants to give up 17 electorals to go after 4 electorals?
This guy is as transparent as cellophane.
He told the american people not long ago, his campaign would be held to the highest standards. Evidently, very low is high to McCain.
Hit us with your best shot, fire away!!! Perhaps he should hire Cheney to do the shooting, he did afterall hit a human target when persuing a quail.

Posted by DLV October 4, 08 12:04 PM
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Let's look a little closer to McCain pulling out of Michigan.
McCain says he's going to focus on Maine. Michigan has 17 electorals, Maine has 4 electorals, anyone else see the truth be compromised again here?
My guess would be he needs the funds from Michigan to advance his mud slinging. Already today it started!!! Are the American people ever going to put their foot down and stop voting for slanderous tactics. McCain promised he was going to run his campaign at the highest standards, another compromise of the truth?
I hope the Obama campaign will now bring up the Keating 5, Cindy's drug stealing from her own Charitable foundation, McCain and Cindy's adulterous affair, and talk to the women that stood by him while he was a POW, and when he returned, and she was disfigured in an accident he turned to Cindy, instead of supporting his wife at the time, and last but not least his constant support of deregulation and his part in the demise of this country. It's a pandora's box, but it's been proven time and time again all allogations must be answered.
As it is said: let he that is without sin throw the first stone.

Posted by DLV October 4, 08 10:19 PM
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