Congressman Thad McCotter ends bid for U.S. president

September 23, 2011

Congressman Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan notified the  yesterday that he would end his long-shot for the Republican Party's presidential nomination. He threw his support behind former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

McCotter, who has represented since 2003, had announced his candidacy in early July. He reportedly paid $18,000 for campaign space at the in August, but garnered only 35 votes and finished in last place at the event.

His campaign was unable to gain traction among the GOP base. He was excluded from all, a fact he emphasized when arguing that his campaign's fate "was sort of death by media." Elaborating this point, he remarked "if they keep you out of the debates, you are out of the conversation and you can't run."

McCotter decided to back Romney for president, believing he is the "most electable" GOP candidate because of his business background. Though he feels the current frontrunner, Texas governor Rick Perry, "may be a vice presidential nominee", he thinks the nation is not ready for another Texas governor to be president in the aftermath of the George W. Bush presidency.

Bill Ballenger of Inside Michigan Politics applauded McCotter's decision, remarking "He really had no business running for president. If he wants to have any political future, endorsing Mitt Romney now is the smart thing to do."

His neighbor, former Michigan attorney general, commented "He tried it out, obviously it wasn't working. And he's doing the rational thing and dropping out."

McCotter now plans to refocus his efforts on his re-election campaign for Congress. He is expected to face a primary challenge from State Senator Mike Kowall.