BY JULIE ROWE
Daily Staff Reporter
Published October 2, 2008
In a major concession, John McCain has largely abandoned campaign efforts in Michigan, withdrawing advertising efforts, canceling scheduled campaign visits and reassigning staffers to other battleground states, the Associated Press reported today.
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The campaign will divert Michigan resources to Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida and other competitive states.
A GOP official told the Associated Press the campaign made the decision last night, and passed on the withdrawal orders to staffers earlier today.
McCain's campaign has been spending $1 million a week in Michigan. Recent polls show Democratic challenger Barack Obama gaining ground in the state, which holds 17 electoral votes.
A poll released last week by the Detroit Free Press and conducted by Selzer & Co. showed Obama with a 13-point lead in the state.
