Opinion: Thaddeus McCotter ends GOP bid, citing “death by media”; backs Romney
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Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan, a candidate for in the GOP presidential race since July, withdrew his name from the running Thursday, hours before the latest Republican debate, to which he was again not invited.
He released the following statement:
Today, September 22, 2011, U.S. Representative Thaddeus G. McCotter (MI) has issued the following statement: “Today, effective immediately, I have withdrawn my candidacy to become the Republican Party’s nominee for the Office of President of the United States of America. “I have decided to seek re-election to continue to serve as your United States Representative for Michigan’s new 11th Congressional District; and, I am committed to promoting and implementing a platform of principled conservatism. “Truly, Michigan and America’s best days are ahead of us because of you. Together we will transcend our challenges; revitalize our economy; defend our freedom; and bequeath our exceptional nation to our children.”
McCotter has been unable to reach the polling levels required by the various news organizations to participate in any of the GOP debates since he announced his candidacy. For the Thursday Fox News/Google debate, it was at least 1% of support in five national polls.
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who had not been in a debate since the first one in May in South Carolina, cleared the hurdle and will be on the stage in Orlando for tonight’s debate.
In an interview with the Detroit News, McCotter said, ‘If they keep you out of the debates, you are out of the conversation, and you can’t run. It was sort of death by media.’
In the same piece, McCotter said he would throw his support behind his home state’s former govenor, Mitt Romney, saying, ‘Especially with his business background and in a stagnant economy, he may be the most electable.’
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-- Kate O’Hare
Media critic Kate O’Hare is a regular Ticket contributor. She also blogs about TV at Hot Cuppa TV and is a frequent contributor at entertainment news site Zap2it. Also follow O’Hare on Twitter @KateOH.
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