I hate posting information that cannot be confirmed, but I thought I'd put this information into the Internet ether to see if anyone else has heard similar info: there is word in Wisconsin that the McCain campaign is about to pull its advertising in the state.
I cannot go into more detail; my sourcing is from someone with decent contacts with Wisconsin Republicans -- notice that I'm being deliberately vague, so as not to get anyone in trouble. The source also is indicating that this may be just a rumor.
Therefore, this diary may be the ONLY place you hear about this rumor, and there may be nothing to it. It could be a trial balloon to get reaction from other Republicans in the state, to try and get the McCain campaign to have to say "no, we're fighting for Wisconsin until the end". So please DO NOT take this news and assume we have another "McCain abandons Michigan" situation on our hands. That may be what's happening, but maybe not.
However, if this rumor is true (and again, the sourcing I have, while not super solid or from any high-profile people, is solid enough that I trust the people involved to not be lying or being deceitful), this would seem to confirm what we've been seeing in Wisconsin polling, that McCain can't get the traction he wants. That maybe he's planning on a final push to hold the Bush states he can (Iowa and maybe New Mexico being left out), maybe challenge Pennsylvania and get to 270 that way. Plus, there are no other high-profile races in the state that could use the added bonus of a McCain run to drive up Republican enthusiasm. Like in Minnesota, where McCain might stay longer to keep higher GOP visibility for the sake of Norm Coleman's race. All speculation.
So, that's the rumor. Just a rumor. Anyone else hearing anything about McCain pulling out of Wisconsin? Or any other states?