Not so sure this wasn’t intentional. Been called a “head fake” by one person I know. Allowed the 527s and Hillary women, who are strong there, to do the work while O pulled his stuff out.
It might have been a fake, why would you announce you are pulling out of a state?
The McCain campaign is not awash in billions of dollars (much of it of questionable origin) like the Obama campaign. Actually having 527's and PUMA's hold the ground, while Obama moved staff out would be smart. Add to that a return to the state by the McCain campaign along with campaign rallies in the state to promote the state as winnable, well that's freaking brilliant. It is good guerilla warfare tactics. Wonder if McCain is applying some of his Annapolis learning.