5 Dems bow out of Mich. primary

LANSING, Mich., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Five presidential hopefuls pulled their names from Michigan's early Democratic primary Tuesday, highlighting the flap over which state goes first.

Taking steps to back out of the Jan. 15 primary were Sens. Barack Obama of Illinois and Joe Biden of Delaware; John Edwards, a former North Carolina senator; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, CNN reported.

Still on the ballot are Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, both of whom have pledged not to campaign in the state.

The Detroit Free Press said the withdrawals came amid anger on the part of party officials who objected to Michigan muscling in ahead of the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary in violation of party rules.

Clinton aides said since the candidates had already pledged last month not to campaign in Michigan if it kept its primary early, there was no need for her to pull her name from the ballot, The Washington Post reported.

"It's unnecessary," said Mo Elleithee, a Clinton spokesman.

Dodd spokesman Hari Sevugan it wouldn't benefit whichever candidate eventually wins the nomination "to pull our name off the ballot and slight Michigan voters."