Michigan Republicans Betrayed By McCain

After finding out McCain was giving up in Michigan and stopping his campaign advertising there, many local Republicans feel betrayed.

According to Freep...

"Michigan Republicans scrambled Friday to stanch potential damage to their election chances after Sen. John McCain's sudden decision to halt his presidential campaign, including TV advertising, in Michigan.

Some hoped McCain would resume campaigning in the state soon.

Others were downright mad.

"I don't know what McCain was thinking," fumed Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, a leading state Republican. "He's a general who left the battlefield in the middle of the fight.

"I'm disappointed in his behavior; he's thrown a lot of good Republican candidates under the bus."

Patterson said McCain's withdrawal is a blow to other GOP candidates in other races on the ballot. Presidential candidates are counted on to draw voters to the polls, and the appearance that one has given up could depress his party's voter turnout.

Beyond Michigan's 17 electoral votes, the next biggest prize for state Democrats is winning two congressional seats now held by Republicans -- Joe Knollenberg's 9th District seat in Oakland County and Tim Walberg's 7th District seat stretching from western Washtenaw County to Battle Creek.

"If 20,000 people stay home in Michigan on Election Day because our commander has raised the white flag, that could change a lot of races," Patterson said.

How much of an effect will McCain's concession of Michigan have on his election campaign?