Mills would be the best option...

I agree with downbeat, Mills would be the best for the job.

However, kudos for the BDN taking the election (actually, selection) seriously and giving it the attention it deserves. It often seems that reporting for the constitutional officers' positions is an afterthought.

With three candidates splitting the Democrat vote, it's a good chance for the Republicans to cut a deal to throw their support behind an AG that will whitewash their larceny in addition to the D's.

Kudos for the BDN coverage of the race. Maine Public Radio just broke a story regarding Faircloth hyping up his credentials. You can hear it at: http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineNews/tabid/181/ctl/ViewItem/mid/1858/ItemId/8353/Default.aspx.

I'd like to see some more specifics on Rowe's term limits issue. How is it possible for someone's term limit to expire while the person who appointed you is still in office. I'd like to see some info on the precedent of this happening in the past. I'm thinking there's something constitutionally going on in the State that Stephen Rowe is either in on, or doesn't want to tarnish his hopes for the next election for Governor.

Domino, thanks for the MPR link. I was unaware, but unsurprised, at Faircloth's exaggerations and resume stretches. I question whether or not someone with such an acute thirst for office should be allowed into such a sensitive position.

I have followed Sean Faircloth's career for quite a while now,

and he has always been a notorious self-promoter. During one

of his campaigns for office, he even affected a Kennedy accent!

No question here, Mills is the way to go!

OldBangor

That MPBN story would be great if it were accurate. Read this (below) and decide if Faircloth was treated fairly. Pay special attention to the quoted story AJay Higgins wrote for the BDN back in 1994 in regard to the Deadbeat Dad law Faircloth spearheaded and rejuvinated after it died in committee. I've worked with Faircloth before on several issues and he is a good and decent man. This story was a travesty and Maine lost out because of it. Shame on MPBN for allowing such a biased, inaccurate story to air and tar the good name of a good man. Shame on others for forwarding it.

"Rep. John Brautigam and Rep. Janet Mills joined Republican Rep. Josh Tardy, Sen. Deb Plowman, and Rep. Tom Saviello in making critical statements about Sean Faircloth in the media on this, the last weekend of the Attorney General campaign – on the night before Thanksgiving.

ALL statements below from several people such as former Senate President Pray, Republican District Attorney Povich, and former Attorney General Michael Carpenter, were offered AFTER the negative statements made by Rep. Brautigam, Rep. Mills and the Republicans Wednesday.

Rep. Brautigam and Rep. Mills specifically, and publicly, criticized Sean Faircloth, claiming Sean wasn’t appointed to the Maine Commission on Legal Needs.

Former Senate President Charles Pray: “First, Let’s get this straight: I appointed Sean Faircloth to that Commission in my stead. To nitpick otherwise is a blatant attempt to distort the truth. I am surprised at these last minute plotted attacks by Republicans, seemingly a reporter, and Sean’s Democratic competitors. These last minute attacks against Sean, an honorable individual, do a disservice to Democrats and all Maine citizens. The State deserves a positive campaign. Sean has run a positive campaign in keeping with the dignity of the Office of Attorney General. To do otherwise is unacceptable. I hope the members of the Legislature will listen to Sean’s entire remarks about the Commission (which, I understand Mr. Brautigam refuses to release) -- instead of the out-of-context excerpt from Mr. Brautigam’s recording. In those remarks, Sean talks about the high ideals to which Senator Ed Muskie inspired Sean twenty years ago when Muskie chaired that Commission. Sean Faircloth takes the high road like Muskie. Sean’s competitors would do well to follow Sean’s example, and not try to win on a misrepresentation of the facts -- not for Attorney General.”

“Second, Sen. Plowman claimed Rep. Faircloth didn’t take the lead in the Deadbeat Dad law. I contacted Congressman Mike Michaud. Congressman Michaud responded specifically on this fact issue that, when, Congressman Michaud was a member of the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, Rep. Faircloth lead the charge on placing the deadbeat dad law into the budget after that measure died in Judiciary Committee. Congressman Michaud confirms that it was Sean Faircloth who presented a redrafted version of the bill, successfully advocating to Rep. Charlene Rydell and Rep. Michaud that the amendment be placed in the budget.”

A. Jay Higgins, who just did the negative story, wrote in the Bangor Daily News – himself -- on July 20, 1994: “Rep. Sean Faircloth (D-Bangor), a member of the legislature’s Judiciary Committee, was instrumental in obtaining legislative approval for the measure….President Clinton has hailed the Maine initiative as a worthy concept and plans to incorporate it as part of his national welfare reform plan.” Long before filing his story yesterday, Mr. Higgins was requested – in writing – to contact Congressman Michaud about these facts. Mr. Higgins did not do so. Mr. Higgins also could have simply checked his own story from July 20, 1994.

In Mr. Higgins’ recent negative story, Rep. Saviello attacked Sean’s ethics for speaking on the family child care provider’s bill.

Speaker Glenn Cummings: “It was perfectly appropriate for Majority Whip Faircloth to speak and vote on the family child care provider bill.” Faircloth’s wife, Aymie Walshe, organizes family child care providers. Ms. Walshe publicly advocates for this group, primarily lower-income women. Ms. Walshe got no bonus for passage of Speaker Cummings’ bill.

D.A. Evert Fowle: "I said many positive things about Sean on tape -- completely ignored in this negative story. I worked with Sean when we were drug prosecutors. I worked with Sean closely as he chaired a Commission fashioning tougher penalties for child sex abusers. We fought together against allowing career criminals out of prison earlier. Sean’s a man of integrity and courage -- as honest as the day is long. Sean does the right thing for the right reason, and fights positively for what he believes. Sean has run a consistently positive campaign. These are the qualities we need in the next Attorney General. I strongly support Sean Faircloth."

Former Attorney General Michael Carpenter: “Josh Tardy doesn’t think Sean Faircloth has the qualifications to serve as Maine’s top law enforcement officer. Well, I sure do. As a former Attorney General, I say, not only is Sean qualified, Sean has proven he’s particularly well qualified because Sean has – absolutely -- run the most positive campaign of all those running. All this negative campaigning against Sean and his high road campaign has made me more certain than ever that Sean Faircloth is the right person for the job.”

Republican D.A. Michael Povich: “One of the most important functions of the Attorney General is setting the right tone. An Attorney General must balance the needs of society: incarcerating those who are dangerous, helping those who need substance abuse and mental health treatment. That requires a strong relationship with Maine's prosecutors, policy-makers, and other stakeholders. I’ve known Sean twenty years. I saw his work toughening Maine's laws related to sexual abuse of young children. Sean, as Maine's Attorney General, will have the ability, temperament – and positive approach -- to bring diverse groups together to achieve justice.”

Rep. Brautigam and Rep. Mills have failed to renounce the possibility of running against Sean if he becomes our Democratic nominee. Sean Faircloth, under high pressure, has -- uniquely -- remained positive. Stand up for Sean. This is not the Maine way."

Now call AJay Higgins and ask him who his source was.