Leading Michigan Republican: McCain "A general who left the battlefield in the middle of the fight!"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

ELECTION 2008
McCain's pullout has Michigan Republicans worried

BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF • FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF • October 4, 2008

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081004/NEWS15/810040322/1215

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.
Advertisement

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.

Republicans hold a slim 13-12 majority on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.

McCain's retreat stunned state Republican leaders and set off a storm of phone calls between party leaders, candidates and volunteers. The decision came on the day of the vice presidential debate and followed state polls showing McCain trai

[gizmo1979]

1. He waved the White Flag

of surrender I would say.Gave back all those hard fought gains.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

2. He didn't give the Palin Surge a chance for victory. He played cut and run.

The jokes just write themselves on this one, eh?

:toast:

[Mme. Defarge]

3. Oh the irony ...

"He's a general who left the battlefield in the middle of the fight."

[demmiblue]

4. This would be a nice article to leave around (on accident, of course)...

especially with some of the more choice quotes highlighted!