Maine Dems predict success
10/27/08 | 15 comments
state house

Maine Dems predict success


GOP hopeful in Senate races
By Mal Leary
Capitol News Service

AUGUSTA, Maine — With a week to go, tens of thousands of Mainers already have cast votes for their senators and representatives to the state Legislature, and the Democrats are confident their get-out-the-vote effort, both now and on Election Day, will make a difference when all the votes are counted.

Democrats, who currently control both the House and Senate, have expanded their traditional “unified” campaign that works for election of all Democratic Party nominees. They have opened 34 offices around the state, with both paid staff and volunteers working to identify likely voters who will support presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and all the nominees down through the ballot to legislative candidates.

“The unified campaign the Democrats have put together is very, very impressive,” said Colby College government professor Sandy Maisel. “It will help all the Democrats on the ballot.”

Republicans also are mounting a get-out-the-vote effort, but it is not as large or as well-funded as the Democrats’ effort. Traditionally, the GOP has not put as much emphasis on the “ground game” of politics with voter identification and get-out-the-vote efforts and put more effort in the “air game” of advertising, said Bowdoin College government professor Chris Potholm.

“In a close race, the ground game can make a difference,” he said. “A few percentage points but not a big difference.”

What is never certain is how much of the efforts in the presidential and U.S. Senate races will “trickle down” to the state legislative races, what politicians call the “coat tail effect.”

In the House, GOP floor leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport, acknowledges it is a long shot for his party to take control of the House. The Democrats currently hold 90 of the 151 seats to the GOP’s 59, along with two independents.

Thirteen Democrats and just two Republicans are term limited, but the GOP does not have candidates in 15 seats, while the Democrats have candidates in all but two contests.

“The fact is that it was less than a total of 1,400 votes that divided control of the Legislature in the last election,” Tardy said. “There were a lot of races decided by a handful of votes.”

Both Tardy and House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, agree that with each district representing less than 9,000 people, a good candidate from any party, or an independent, can win any of the 151 seats. They say even though some districts lean to one party or another, the adage “all politics is local” holds true.

“We have seen many races where a good candidate has surprised us,” she said, “and upset incumbents in some races. We are taking no races for granted.”

The GOP is hoping they can pick up a few seats currently held by Democrats by having former lawmakers run for those seats. Democrats are banking that their unified campaign will pay dividends in some open House seats, such as those in Bangor.

In the Senate, both party leaders are frank that half a dozen contests will determine control of the 35 seat chamber. Democrats hold an 18 to 17 seat advantage, the same as going into the last election. Eight years ago, the parties tied with an independent holding the balance of power.

There are four Democrats and two Republicans in the Senate termed out this year. In District 22, most of Knox County, two current representatives, Republican Chris Rector of Thomaston and Democrat David Miramant of Camden, are battling over an open seat, and both parties see it as a close race.

Another battleground district is in southern York County where incumbent Democrat Peter Bowman is being challenged by former Republican Sen. Mary Andrews. Both parties see that as a close race.

Senate Majority Leader Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, said that while there are several close races, she “feels good” about how all of the Democratic candidates are doing and is “optimistic” the Democrats will maintain control of the Senate.

“We have more possible wins than I ever dared to dream of,” she said. “As majority leader, though, I remember that 18 is the magic number and that is what I am focused on.”

She said while some races are close, she believes Democrats are being bolstered by the “rising tide” of support for Obama as a result of the economy. The former House speaker said Democrats may pull off more than one surprise win in legislative races.

Senate GOP floor leader Carol Weston, R-Montville, agreed a presidential election year has “a lot of unknowns” but said the GOP Senate candidates have been working very hard and she believes Republicans could take control of the state Senate for the first time in a dozen years.

“I am betting on our great candidates,” she said. “You always have seats that are open and competitive but you have to have the right candidates running, and I believe we have the right candidates and the right message.”

Weston said there are always surprises in legislative races and that this year is no different. She hopes the surprises this year will benefit the GOP.

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Comments
15 comments on this item
On 10/27/08 at 5:01 AM, tewhiti wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

"This year Senate Republicans are threatening filibusters to block more legislation than ever before, a pattern that's rooted in — and could increase — the pettiness and dysfunction in Congress." ( Senate tied in knots by filibusters, Margaret Talev | McClatchy Newspapers, July 20,2007)

That was a threat kept. Unless we elect a minimum of 60 Democratic senators, enough to end a filibuster, nothing will change. The welfare of the nation has repeatedly been sacrificed to prevent Democrats from accomplishing anything. These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary cooperation and harmony, top to bottom. I'm voting solid Democrat from one end of the ballot to the other.

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On 10/27/08 at 8:58 AM, RocklandPhil wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

.............and unless the Republicans elect a minimum of 60 Republican senators, enough to end a filibuster by the Democrats ----- oh wait, what could I be thinking? Of course, the Democrats would never stoop so low as to filibuster. John Kerry's attempted filibuster in January 2006 against Judge (now Justice) Alito was surely just a typo in the newspaper.

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On 10/27/08 at 9:56 AM, frostheev wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I will not vote for a democrat!

Democrats raise taxes!

Democrats hate wealth!

Democrats love welfare!

Democrats Kill Babies!

Democrats have no morals!

Democrats hate Christianity!

Democrats love islam!

Democrats hate any gun!

I will not vote for a democrat!

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On 10/27/08 at 10:42 AM, KellyD wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Frosttheev: You cannot be serious! If that is not narrow mindedness at its extreme, I don't know what is. I am a democrat, I am a christian, I do not hate wealth nor do I love welfare. I work hard every day and earn my own way in this world. Simply because my beliefs do not coincide with your extremely bigoted, right-wing, moral majority, ultra conservator and racial views, does not mean you should have a right to make moral judgments on all democrats as a whole. Whatever happened to judge not, lest you be judged? Maybe you hate christians? or simply believe that the basic principals of christianity allow you to be a racist, judgmental person????

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On 10/27/08 at 10:46 AM, Mark44 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

McCain, Collins, & Frary-

Why not, if the others have it all sewed up, packed the ballot boxes, and let countless John Doe’s vote~ then why in “Gods” name would any Democrat even care if I vote for those I feel are not crooks?

.

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On 10/27/08 at 10:47 AM, anne_of_mdi wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Fine, Frostheev, don't vote for a Democrat. Nobody's got a gun to your head. By the way you are wrong on all counts. You'd better run and hide, because Obama is going to make it against the law to be stupid.

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On 10/27/08 at 10:51 AM, Mark44 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

During Congressman Michaud’s latest debate with Professor Frary, the learned Congressman must have overlooked a couple of minor issues!!!

.

When Congressman Michaud stated that the tractor trailer weight limitations that currently exist up north were due in large part by rail road lobbing efforts~ Not true, in fact rail has been proven to be much more economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly than trucking! One of the biggest considerations Michaud failed to point out was that increased payloads “will” chew-up road beds that were designed for lighter vehicles, and that he has failed to bring home the bacon for many needed improvements!

While Mike has generated some funding for a hand full of projects, he is by far lacking in this area!

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Mike also stated that he sits on a small business committee, but failed to mention that in the “years” he has been at this job, small business, as well as all business has systematically packed their bags and left! The “beyond reproach” statesman also went on to say, that there are grants for small business, but failed to say what he has actually accomplished in the “years” he’s been doing this.

No,,, the best thing Mike can do for small business is just quit!!!

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Lastly, the issue of military timelines~ Rather than giving Al-Qaeda a breakdown of our itinerary & schedule, it is by far more intelligent to keep our plans secret. Unfortunately, self-promoted great military intellectuals like Michaud, Allen, Baldacci, and Obama skipped right past “any” military training and went right on to implementing F-Troop 101.

.

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On 10/27/08 at 11:12 AM, Mark44 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

While frostheev is very close, I don't agree about all the Democrats running!

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While I will not identify the individual Democrat that I "will" be voting for!

I will say that he attends the same church as I do-

He has the same values of the 2nd Amendment as I do-

He is not a pro-abortionist, but sees that a women’s body is her body-

He holds a very low opinion of Obama.

.

So, bipartisan politics does exist north of Bangor~ funny that!

.

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On 10/27/08 at 2:48 PM, rodney wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

People think Obama is the answer! I suppose it is if you want this country destroyed. With him in there expect Islam to take over.Just look and read what they are doing to the Christians over in the Islam countries.If you are a true Christian, then you better stop and think. If you don't stop and think then you better ask for forgiveness.The day our Lord Jesus Christ comes you will have to answer to him. This Country was founded by our fourfathers which were all Christians. They all would Salute our Honorable Flag and would swear in on the Holy Bible. NOT THE Koran. On top of everything else, all you Democrats that like giving away the money we all work hard for and give it to the good old welfare people, try working yourselves.

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On 10/27/08 at 3:11 PM, anne_of_mdi wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the original Kool-Aid drinkers were religious fanatics, much like good old Rodney here. Unlike Jonestown, this country was founded to protect everyone's religious freedom, not just yours.

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On 10/27/08 at 3:29 PM, buckyor wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I would like to take this opporunity to point out that the drink that contained the poison in Jonestown was Flavor Aid, and not Kool-Aid. Other than that, Anne is correct; the nuthatches have come out. Sorta like the zombies that came out at night in Omega Man.

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On 10/27/08 at 5:06 PM, DavidH wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Aparently if you are a Democrat you need to have a short memory, short attention span and be able to change your mind 180 degrees in a matter of seconds. Otherwise you can't explain yourself in coherent manner. Democrats will raise taxes and the minimum wage and sit back on their laurels. Remember the war on poverty they declared it was won until Katrina exposed that lie. The Democrats will hoist the white flag yet again and declare victory in Iraq. Then the pople are going to be looking for great things from the new administration and will these people be suprised! Wait until distribution of wealth hits Congress. Probably will start with reparations to the former slave families.

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On 10/27/08 at 5:11 PM, anne_of_mdi wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Actually DavidH I would have to have a pretty long memory to be able to access things like the War on Poverty (1960's) and Slave reparations (1860's?). Hey, if you get a tax cut, you just give it back, ok?

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On 10/27/08 at 5:38 PM, BlueCollarBob wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Hi DavidH. I wasn't going to post this evening but now I feel compelled to after reading your painfully stupid comment. First, no one ever declared that the war on poverty was won, Democrat or Republican. Hurricane Katrina exposed failures at the local, state, and Federal levels. Everyone agrees that the failures at the Federal level were the most grievous. And, if memory serves, in 2003 Republicans controlled both houses of Congress and the Oval Office. You are the first person I know of to blame Katrina exclusively on the Democrats, also the first person during this election cycle to bring up slave reparations. Are you citing old newsprint articles insulating the walls of your cave? Actually, after reading your post, it's obvious you're barely literate. It's no wonder you arrived at these conclusions. I hope I have explained myself "in coherent manner."

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On 10/27/08 at 9:09 PM, GlenburnGirl wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I agree, BlueCollarBob. Your post said it all in a very coherent manner. Some of these political comments have adopted the 'paint everyone with the same paint brush' rule and they just don't know how to get away from the paint brush long enough to really look hard at the presidential issues. It appears that when they try to have a coherent discussion they paint the wall with outdated materials that have no bearing on the present situation in America. You can't change the future of this country if you are stuck in ancient history. It is like driving a car with the shift in reverse. This country must move forward and that is why my stance in this presidential election is as I have posted previously. Cast your vote for the STRONGEST team to lead this country. John McCain didn't get the reprimand that he should have recieved during the Keating 5 banking scandal in which he and the others were definetely 'spreading the wealth' while other innocent victims lost money. John McCain puts his wealth first and not the country first as his campaign promotes.

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