LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Lt. Gov. John Cherry’s withdrawal from the Michigan governor’s race opens the door to a free-for-all that could lead to a Democratic candidate not saddled with the state’s economic baggage — or a splintered party that can’t block a Republican win.
Cherry blames fundraising woes in his Tuesday announcement. And he says the White House played no part in his decision.
But President Barack Obama is sure to have an eye on this battleground state. He doesn’t want to see it slide into GOP hands as New Jersey and Virginia did last year.
Obama won Michigan by 16 points in 2008 as the state’s already troubled economy sunk into a deep recession. But 55 percent of Michigan voters gave him a negative job rating in a recent poll.
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On the Net:
Cherry campaign site: http://www.peopleforcherry.com