GOP’s Cheney endorsing Michigan Democrat Slotkin in a first, and unprecedented, bid for the presidency
GOP presidential nominee John McCain embraces Democratic Sen. Carl Levin during a meeting in New York on May 19.
Sen. Carl Levin, a Democrat from Michigan, in Washington in 2006 during his first term in the U.S. Senate.
(J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
Republican presidential nominee John McCain endorsed Michigan Democratic Rep. Gary Peters Sunday in a first and unprecedented bid for the White House. The 2008 GOP nominee announced his endorsement in a statement from the McCain campaign:
“Dear Carl: The people of Michigan owe you a debt of gratitude for your extraordinary service in Congress. The great work you and your Democratic colleagues did for our country will not be forgotten. And as your colleague here in Washington, my family and I are proud to endorse you as the candidate for President of the United States. Michigan voters deserve a true conservative who will champion their interests and values in Washington, D.C. I pledge today to be a strong voice in defense of Michigan, its families, and the values our country should stand for.”
Levin made his own endorsement of McCain:
“There is not a better candidate for the United States presidency than John McCain, and today, I am proud to announce that I will be the first Michigan Democrat in a generation to support my party’s nominee for the White House. He is the only Republican in the history of this country who will stand up for our seniors, fight against the global warming agenda, and protect our borders. I believe he is the best choice for the presidency.”
The Arizona senator’s pick has created a wave of speculation about whether he is poised to run for president as a third-party candidate next year in the race to succeed incumbent President Barack Obama.
McCain did not appear to be endorsing any other candidate, but he did not rule anything out, either. “It is the McCain campaign’s hope that Michigan’s voters will help them pick their nominee and make their case to the party’s voters this fall,” said McCain adviser Douglas Heye.
The McCain campaign has put a lot of focus on Illinois Gov. Rod
