According to the source, the Republican National Committee – which is the source of funds for many of the 100 or so people working on behalf of the McCain campaign in Michigan – called state GOP Chariman Saul Anuzis this afternoon and told him the campaign would be moving workers out of Michigan and into Wisconsin, Ohio and Florida and ceasing to buy local airtime in the state for ads.
No reason for the move was given but Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has been making great gains in recent polls in the state. A week ago, the Detroit Free Press-Local 4 poll had Obama up by 13 points over McCain in Michigan.
Meanwhile, other polls have shown McCain’s support in Florida and Ohio slipping – two states he must be competitive in if he is to win the presidency. Wisconsin, on the other hand, was seen as likely to lean Democratic but showed some narrowing in the polls a month ago – though Obama’s spread has been increasing there of late as the nation’s economy has taken center stage in the election.
McCain’s Michigan spokeswoman, Sarah Lenti, did not immediately return calls and emails to respond to the report.
The Web site politico.com first reported news that McCain was pulling out of Michigan.
