WHITMORE LAKE – Thaddeus McCotter, a Republican congressman from Livonia, announced his bid to run for U.S. President in 2012 at the WAAM Freedom Fest on July 2. 

About 600 people attended the event, which was sponsored by a local conservative radio channel. 

McCotter has said he is against “big government” and in favor of tax relief and regulatory reforms. He has served for five terms and plans to market heavily on social networking and other Internet platforms as advertisement for the expected run. 

Other Republican hopefuls include Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who was born in Michigan, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who is already an Internet sensation, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and more. g