McCain Endorsee Bails In Michigan (Corrected Version)
On the morn' of the South Carolina debate, the simmering proxy war between Sen. John McCain and ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney is heating up in Michigan.
From a Republican who is not allied with either campaign, we've obtained an e-mail from a prominent Michigan GOPer who calls his endorsement of John McCain THE "worst mistake" he's ever made.
The e-mail from Bill Kelly (R) to a dozen prominent Republicans ostensibly answered questions about Kelly's congressional bid. He's angling to run against Rep. Dale Kildee, the 77-year-old Democrat from Michigan's 5th district, which includes Flint and other Detroit suburbs.
Before he elaborated on his positions, however, Kelly informed the list that
I now formally endorse Mitt Romney for president. Romney has the charisma and ability to communicate our conservative values. He will lead our party to victory. Endorsing John McCain was the biggest mistake of my political career - I think he has been more of a detriment than a benefit to our party.
Not only did Kelly endorse McCain, he was co-chair of McCain's Genesee County operation.
Mr. Kelly, in his e-mail, did not say why McCain was "more of a detriment" to the GOP. But his switch to Romney will be widely noted in Michigan political circles. [MARC AMBINDER]
The McCain campaign also lost the endorsement of Joseph Sylvester, an influential young Bay County Republican and member of the Fifth District Executive Committee. He had been very pro-McCain and was helping John Yob and others recruit youth (among his activities was the MRP State Convention in February) for McCain's campaign. He has now endorsed Duncan Hunter, and is using his widely-read blog (Michigan Conservative Dossier) to promote Hunter's candidacy, who has a
lot of appeal with the wing-nuts in the youth circles.
As a reminder, this comes only a couple weeks after the McCain campaign told Michigan staffers they would no longer be paid until the state set its primary date.