Finley: McCotter's Ballot Stumble Angers Fellow Republicans

U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter has problems beyond having his name missing from the August primary ballot, writes the Detroit News' Nolan Finley. Oakland County Republicans are openly dismissing the Livonia congressman, blaming him for the petition snafu that put a safe GOP seat at risk.

A weekend mutiny by Oakland Republicans fizzled Monday when mortgage attorney David Trott abandoned a short-lived plan to mount his own write-in campaign to challenge the one launched by McCotter.

Trott had lined up most of the county party's leadership, including Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who was angry at McCotter's failure to collect the 1,000 valid signatures necessary to secure a place on the ballot.

"That's an unforgivable screw-up," said Patterson. "I don't even know how it happens. It really puts us in a difficult position."