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.
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.