For a period of time Michigan saw an abundance of presidential staffers, volunteers, and offices, candidate appearances, media and more media. But ever since John McCain pulled his campaign from Michigan, basically forfeiting the state's 17 electoral votes to Barack Obama, no presidential or vice presidential candidate has appeared there. Michigan is now understood to be a strong Obama state, no longer a battleground.
This election, Michigan voters are most motivated by economic issues. The state has faced massive manufacturing job loss and overall unemployment. It has also had one of the highest rates of home foreclosures. At the 50 day mark, this state was too close to call because the growing suburban population largely supported Bush in 2004. Those voters were motivated by conservative social values. However, in light of recent events the economy is overshadowing conservative values for Michigan voters and this is good for Obama.
A Big 10 Battleground poll from 10/19 through 10/22 puts Obama at 58% support to McCain's 36%. This poll had a 562 sample size. A less recent Quinnipiac/WSJ/WP poll with a larger sample size, 1043 eligible voters, also puts Obama significantly ahead with 545 to McCain's 38%.
The graph below, from Real Clear Politics, shows Obama's steady climb in Michigan polls. You can see that Michigan is a strong Obama state with ten days to go until Election Day.
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