Big hopes for it. Spent the money, opened the offices, pushed the registration.

Ran away.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Barack Obama, who has deployed more than 50 staffers in North Dakota in an attempt to become the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1964, is pulling out.

An Obama spokeswoman, Amy Brundage, confirmed Sunday that the campaign’s North Dakota staffers were being sent to Minnesota and Wisconsin, where recent polls have shown a tight race between Obama and Republican John McCain.

She declined to say how many campaign workers were being shifted, but other Democratic activists put the number at more than 50. Obama has opened 11 North Dakota campaign offices and run television advertising in the state, which is unusual for a Democratic presidential candidate.

McCain’s campaign has no paid staff or offices in North Dakota.

(Via Hot Air Headlines)

For extra laughs, let’s look at the so-called “Big 7” states again: Alaska, Georgia, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Virginia. Actually, let me put put that into perspective for you. Alaska, Georgia, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Virginia. And I’m being nice in not crossing out Indiana and Virginia yet.

Or possibly I’m being cruel. Sometimes even I don’t even know which I’m being.