AUGUSTA, Maine — As expected, it took less than 24 hours for Maine’s entire political landscape to be turned upside down after the sudden announcement Tuesday from U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe that she was dropping her bid for a fourth term.
The three biggest names in the Maine Democratic Party all began gathering signatures to run for the U.S. Senate — 2nd District U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, 1st District U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree and former two-term Gov. John Baldacci.
No new Republicans took out papers with the Secretary of State’s Office on Wednesday, but Senate President Kevin Raye, now a candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, and Charlie Summers, the secretary of state himself, are considered the leading GOP candidates.
Raye said late Wednesday afternoon that he had not made up his mind but he was looking closely at the Senate race.
“I’m getting all kinds of advice,” he said in an interview. “There are a lot of discussions happening and I know a number of people are interested in running for the 2nd District should I move over. The situation is certainly very fluid.”
Although not all candidates who take out petitions will necessarily run for those seats, it allows them to keep their options open. Since the filing deadline for party candidates is March 15, time is a factor. Senate candidates must gather 2,000 signatures and House candidates 1,000 signatures by that date.
The movement in the Senate race is expected to affect the two U.S. House races as well and the Secretary of State’s Office confirmed Wednesday that several have taken out papers to run for those seats.
In the 2nd District, Maine House Democratic Leader Emily Cain of Orono and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Debra Plowman, a Hampden Republican, have gotten the paperwork to become candidates, along with Democrat Bruce Bryant of Dixfield, a former state senator.
In the 1st District, Senate Republican leader Jonathan Courtney of Springvale, along with Democrats Sen. Cynthia Dill of Cape Elizabeth and Rep. Jon Hinck, have done the same. Dill is a candidate for the U.S. Senate but said Wednesday that she would consider running for the House instead given the recent circumstances. Hinck indicated he will likely drop out of the Senate race and focus on the House race.
Republican Mark Gartley and Democrats Wellington Lyons, David Costa and David Lemoine, a former state treasurer, and Sen. Phil Bartlett of Gorham also have begun gathering signatures for the 1st District House race.
Four Democrats already had entered the Senate race when Snowe decided against re-election: Dill, Hinck, former Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap of Old Town and Benjamin Pollard, a home builder from Portland. Hinck’s campaign has said he would consider moving to the 1st District race.
Republican Scott D’Amboise of Lisbon Falls is the lone Republican and Republican-turned-independent Andrew Ian Dodge also is in the mix.
On Wednesday, though, all eyes were on the new potential Senate candidates.
A seat that New York Times’ political blogger and analyst Nate Silver estimated had an 85 percent chance of staying Republican with Snowe in the race turned overnight into a 20 to 30 percent chance for the GOP with her gone, he said on Twitter.
Maine Democrats, who haven’t held a Senate seat since 1994, when George Mitchell retired, were eager to seize an opportunity that unexpectedly landed in their lap.
“Maine is now a top pick up opportunity for Senate Democrats. If there is one place in the country that is likely to reject the extreme, anti-middle class, divisive Republican agenda it is Maine,” Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Executive Director Guy Cecil said in a statement sent at 5:33 p.m. Tuesday.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Snowe’s sudden departure should not change the color of that seat.
“Maine has a proud history of electing independent leaders, including a Republican governor in 2010, and while this will be a key battleground in the fall, I am confident it will remain in Republican hands,” Cornyn said in a statement Tuesday.
Michaud, the Democrat who has represented Maine’s 2nd District in Congress since 2002, was the first to file paperwork Wednesday with the secretary of state, about 18 hours after Snowe, a three-term senator, announced she would not seek re-election.
Pingree followed suit later in the day on Wednesday.
“Running for the Senate isn’t something I had been thinking of,” she said Wednesday. “But this is an incredibly important election for Maine and the country.”
On Tuesday, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee launched an online effort to draft Pingree, Maine’s 1st District representative, into the race. The committee helped encourage Democrat Elizabeth Warren to challenge Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts.
Baldacci took out papers early Wednesday afternoon as well, the Secretary of State’s Office confirmed. A spokesman for the former governor said he hasn’t made a final decision but is seriously considering his options.
If Pingree or Michaud officially enter the Senate race, their House seats would become open, a possibility that prompted many to begin dipping their toes into those races.
“House and Senate incumbents are very difficult to defeat in any state, so when you have open seats, there will always be a lot of people running for them,” said Jim Melcher, political science professor at the University of Maine at Farmington. “But it’s more complicated in Maine because we’re a state that’s willing to elect independents.”
The two biggest independent names in the state did not rule out getting into the mix. Former two-term Gov. Angus King said in an interview Wednesday that he’s considering a run.
“If I do this, it would be in order to try to do something about the terrible political dynamic in Washington,” he said, echoing Snowe’s reasons for quitting the Senate race.
Eliot Cutler, who lost in a close race for governor to Paul LePage in 2010, also said he has been asked to run.
“I’ve got plenty of time to decide and I’m going to take at least some of it,” he said by telephone.
Independents don’t face the same tight deadline as major party candidates. For an independent to get on the general election ballot, he or she would need to gather 4,000 signatures by June 1.
There was some chatter on Wednesday about extending the deadline for candidates, who now only have until March 15 to gather the required signatures.
Extending the deadline require would legislative approval and House and Senate leaders said that didn’t seem likely.
May God help us.
Mike Michaud has represented ALL the people of Maine extremely well – even you.
And he “…used to drive a fork truck.”
The guy is a fraud.
What is wrong with driving a fork truck? It’s better than having some lawyer in there.
He uses that line to try to get us to believe he’s actually worked before and it’s a lie.
Prove it.
Talk to anyone who “worked” at the mill with him.
That’s all you’ve got?
I have. They tell me that you lie.
I know people that worked at the mill with him. Is Mike and his lunch pail still on the union books???
When I asked for some assistance for a fellow veteran, his office immediately responded. The VA did not. Charlie’s office went after them again. Now they can’t seem to do enough to assist him.
We need someone with fork lift truck experience to lift that teapublican barricade in D.C.
Oh, so tell us the truth about Michaud, or what ever you call the truth.
Nutting defrauded welfare. Half of Lepage’s cabinet has quit. Lepage hired his daughter, ramped up health insurance premiums for the poor, the rural and the needy–and so on.
You better step it up.
Uninformed
And Obama appointed tax cheats to his cabinet – what’s your point?
All of these frauds have some GD nerve wanting to go back to washington after the historic crisis they have spent us into. SHAME ON THEM ALL AND A POX ONTO THEIR HOUSES!
Unanswered question….What happens to the $3 + million Senator Snowe has in her campaign treasury?
You can’t expect her to give that money to the poor! She needs walking around money.
Under the law, she is entitled to keep it. What she does with it is up to her.
There’s a law that needs to be changed.
I believe that she gets to keep any money in her campaign account. If she has a PAC, I think she gets to keep control of that money. I think that she can pay a lot of her expenses with PAC money. In theory, any super PAC that is run for her benefit could spend money in a way that benefits her. Being a retired politician is a good line of work to be in. Just ask her husband.
One great idea is she could do what Mitchell did with this PAC $ and use it to help Maine kids go to college. You could rename the Mitchell Institute the SnoweMitchell Institute.
Then why don’t you run yourself and do better?
What spend taxpayer money to buy votes? That isn’t too difficult…its what got us into this crisis.
I wonder if the liberals are stupid enough to put baldy back into the game?
Does anybody remember when during the last presidential primary when Maine delegates voted for Hillary Clinton, and Baldacci handed those voted to Obama??? He slapped the Maine Dems squarely across the face. He should not be elected to assisstant dog catcher. But there are plenty of Maine liberals who just don’t have a clue.
Not as many all concervatives have no clue as to what to do to get out of this recession. You have to spend MONEY to MAKE Money, and you guys want to stop the spending to fix America. The GOP were the ones that got us here over a ten year spending spree on “EAR MARKS” , so don’t put the blame on the LIBERALS.
Since you ‘know it all’ why don’t you tell us?
Well, your opinion on his abilities and fair representation don’t jibe with mine. He has not done what you assert.
You really shouldn’t make that claim. You know what they say about “assumptions” don’t you?
I didn’t make an assumption. You assumed I did. I made a statement.
An incorrect one as far as I am concerned. You cannot unilaterally assume you know what is best for me.
Sometimes individuals do not know what’s best for themselves.
Spoken like a true authoritarian of the left.
And that is exactly why we need progressives to help us figure out what is best for us and then make us take it, and take it, and…
So you do understand cutting welfare then?
The last thing I need is some liberal weenie telling me how to live my life Ill take a pass on that thanks ever so much
right back at republicans….the last thing I need, as an adult woman, is some perverted republican trying to tell me how to live my life. Republicans and their sponsorship of forced trans-vaginal ultra sounds, denying birth control coverage etc. They need to get out of my bedroom and my uterus. Bunch of dirty old men.
When you get the government completely out of other aspects of my healthcare I’ll figure you are consistent. Til then… I’ll consider your beliefs nothing more than a matter of convenience.
what are they denying you for health care? Especially if you’re a man?
Women’s health care excepted? Seems like Santorum and his teapublican warriors have targeted women by claiming jurisdiction over their reproductive rights.
What an invasive species – these tea party republicans.
The ten in black who sat in judgement on women, was remarkable resemblance to a scene from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Dragged before a reptilian-looking black shrouded group Maureen O’Hara’s character was quickly tagged for a trip to the stake.
The teapublican edict is much akin to those Draconian high orders of a past we need to put behind us. The government has no right to invade the privacy of woman’s body. What’s next? Sterilization on government order?
it would be more like “The Handmaid’s Tale”.
It does sound a lot like it. I’ve always drawn comparisons to today’s society with Orwell’s “1984” and Huxley’s “Brave New World.” Atwood’s story seems like now.
How about a conservative Republican who wants men to have a tax deduction for maintaining facial hair? Maybe there will be a Nair amendment for the ladies.
WASHINGTON (AP) – A Republican congressman from Maryland is in a hairy situation over a proposal to give tax breaks to Americans with mustaches.The American Mustache Institute claimed Tuesday that Rep. Roscoe Bartlett had lent his support to the ‘Stache Act, which calls for a tax deduction of up to $250 a year for facial hair grooming.
Why not, everyone on here assumes their opinion is a groundbreaking fact.
He agreed with what another poster said in support of Michaud’s endeavors on behalf of veterans. There is no unilateral executive decision in that reply.
Especially veterans!His office staff has been a great help!
As a veteran myself, I couldn’t agree more.
What has he done woody?
If you were really interested, you could have done this. You’re not really interested. You just want to show people how dumb I am. So I’ll start with this and if you want more, I’ll be happy to do your research for you:
Committee assignments
Committee on Veterans’ AffairsSubcommittee on Health (Ranking member)Committee on Small BusinessSubcommittee on Finance and TaxSubcommittee on Rural and Urban EntrepreneurshipCommittee on Transportation and InfrastructureSubcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous MaterialsMike Michaud has been an advocate for veterans for as long as he as served in congress. As Chairman of the Health Subcommittee of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Michaud has advocated for more extensive healthcare benefits for veterans and also for more inclusive rural healthcare for veterans.In addition to veterans’ health, Michaud has been supporting healthcare on a larger scale. He has voted in favor of increased health coverage for children, and voted against cuts to Medicare. In 2010 he received a 100% rating from the American Public Health Association, along with favorable ratings from other health care groups. Michaud joined a group of 44 congressmen in November 2011 to express the importance of men being screened for prostate cancer. This bipartisan group was formed after the United States Preventative Task Force recommended that healthy men should not have such a screening.
You forgot he voted for Obama’s socialized medicine and cap and trade!
So dumb. Thank you for reminding me. Great votes. You didn’t like Olympia because she was a RINO. Now you’ll get a democrat instead. And another middle-of-the-roader, a person who likes to get things done instead of tying everything up, acting like little kids (my way or I take my ball and go home…waaaa). DINO, you might say. Another example of be caseful what you wish for.
If “getting things done” means costing us taxpayers more money, in order to give more money to the socialist regime in power, NO THANKS! Furthermore, any politician, regardless of party, who is anti-Constitution/anti-Bill of Rights (like Pingree, for instance), will NOT get a lot of our votes. And I will do everthing within my powers to be sure that they don’t get into this office.
Your idea of socialism is rather off base. Pingree isn’t anti any of those things, except in some people’s tunnel vision minds. And your votes really aren’t needed. But I wish you luck jousting at windmills.
“Anti-Constitution”? “Anti-Bill of Rights”? Total and utter NONSENSE !
You guys say the Democrats spend to much money but Baldaccis’ budget was 5.8 billion while Lepage’s budget is 6.3 billion and he wants 1/4 of a billion in new spending cost shifted to local property tax payers and hospitals.
I wonder who “James Andrews” is referring to when he says who won’t get “our” votes. He’s certainly welcome to do “everything within his powers:” it’s a duty of citizenship. Hopefully he’ll accept the winner.
Won’t get a lot of “our” votes? That’s alright, we know many more who will vote for someone we can trust.
The Socialistic lable intended for Democrats seems more adaptable to Mitch McConnell and his tea party bosses. They have one goal – to stop the president from being re-elected. That is their only goal and the only goal they pursued for three years. Their constituents and the populace of the USA has suffered because of their Socialistic and autocratic selfishness.
Dumb
You mean more like Harry Reid who won’t even allow a vote in the Senate unless he’s confident he’ll make the OMAN look good again?
You mean like Harry failing to even bring a proper budget to the floor for a vote?
No, the Democrat Senate surely can’t take claim for getting much of anything done…
Your tunnel vision, and irrelivance, is amazing. Keep up the good work.
What makes you think I didn’t like Olympia?
Boy, you people who get your low-grade propaganda information from FakeNews and numbskulls like Rush Limpmind are truly uninformed. There is no “socialized medicine” in the healthcare law. All insurance is provided by private insurance companies, and the law includes multiple planks that Republicans used to favor before they became complete TeaNuts. They also used to be for cap and trade, again, before they went nuts. My goodness, what a clown car the Goofy Old Party has become. See you in November as we watch the Goofy Old Party get crushed at the voting booth.
With all due respect, it is nearly impossible to understand your attempt at writing. Would you mind trying again without all the confusing name calling. Your degradations not only take away from your message, but make your message something less than serious.
I didn’t forget those votes. I think he voted the right way. He wouldn’t be my immediate first choice for Senator. Angus King seems well positioned, and quite competent.
You must be one of the 1%! If you can afford the increase in taxes that will be forced on us as a result of both or either ObamaCare, or cap and trade, you must be RICH !!!
The Rich have been assured the biggest tax breaks ever since George W. Bush was in office. They continue today. Threats not to pass legislation all hinge on the republican manifesto: Keep the tax cuts for the rich, or we block unemployment coverage. Listen or watch McConnell. He isnl;t serving Kentucky anymore than the rest of the States: “My sole goal is to make sure President Obama does not get to serve a second term.” Politically overloaded with this curse, naturally everything else is verboten – brushed aside.
I’m not one of the 1@bears_beets:disqus , but I’m not poor. I don’t know what you mean by rich, so can’t really respond to your comment. Looking at it rationally, there are three ways of looking at it: 1) We keep doing it the way we’re doing it now, bankrupting companies and government entities as they struggle to pay for medical care. 2) We say “you’re on your own,” and turn sick people away from the emergency rooms, and let them die on the street. 3) We agree that a certain level of medical care is a right, not a paid-for privilege, and put together the system that will provide that.
One thing to keep in mind is that even in a system like Canada’s, where they don’t allow a separate, parallel, private medical system to exist alongside the public system, rich people always have the option of getting on an airplane, Toronto to Minnesota, and check into the Mayo Clinic, and get the care that their money buys them.
It is not “Socialized Medicine.” Besides, he swiped some of the theory from Romney’s Massachusetts health plan. So what could be “socialistic” and so wrong with a health plan created by a republican? Yes, even though Romney can’t remember creating it and threatening to throw his stepchild over the rail. Yesterday, he said he wouldn’t vote for the Blunt amendment which would force women to undergo invasive examinations. Today, he told the press – what he meant to say was he would support the Blunt amendment. So much for credibility.
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but when the government controls health care, thats socialized medicine. How much of the 2,000+ pages have you read? Romney was an idiot for imposing it on people in Mass. Why would we want to make the same mistake on a federal level??
But it seems to be working pretty well in Mass.
so he has voted to spend more of our money and feed it into programs and his claim to fame is spend more?
From your tunnel vision view – yes. Please overlook everything else. Thank you.
Its amazing he is still in office.
You’ll be even more amazed after he’s elected to Olympia’s Senate seat. Stay tuned.
She already has by convincing Olympia to step down. Either Senator Michaud or Senator Pingree would be a vast improvement.
Long live the King ! OOPS…Wrong Era :<(
God save the Queen, oh yeah,,, that's Elton John…
"Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound"…….duh,,,,,Superman="W"
OH WEll,,,,,whatever?!?!?!? Maine will be Singing the "BLUES"!!!
I didn’t know God favored the GOP….Let alone anything or anyone.
Please none of the above.
God did. Snowe is gone and a dem is on the way! Goes to show: there is always hope!
YES!
Mike: Quit now because you will not win!
Wanna buy a bridge?
Mike: Stay in because you will not win………………….!
He would vote the same way Snowe always did
That is funny. All of you who have called her a RINO all these years will find out what a real liberal looks like when the Democrats take this seat.
Well I can tell ya it sure won’t be Mike!
care to bet
Exactly we wouldn’t have OBAMACARE if Snowe hadn’t had another mental moment and forgot she was elected by Republicans!! Funny how the first person to take out papers for her seat is a true photo op only democrat. Here’s a hint Mike don’t come home lookin’ for them 2000 signatures. You don’t have that many relatives here, and I wouldn’t count on all of them signing anyways!
he votes strictly on party lines.
Isn’t Snowe being criticized because she didn’t always toe the party line?
All 3 of them will.
No surprise here!
Strategically, Raye should stick with the 2nd District race. With Michaud out, it’s his to lose.
Why do they always use that photo of him. Poster boy for neck pain.
What a disaster that guy is.
I saw him once at the bangor state fair. He was lost in Bass Park !
Yes finially someone who cares about the people of Maine!
Yeah.. he cares so much that he supports Obama on not approving the Keystone pipeline for American refineries to help lower our heating oil and gasoline prices.
Except it wouldn’t do that. It’s intended to ship Canadian oil to Louisiana to be exported. Wouldn’t lower oil or gas prices one penny, as OPEC would simply reduce its production to compensate.
Right, exactly! This pipeline will benefit no one in the U.S. regarding the price of oil or gas. It will only benefit big oil.
And specifically the Koches.
Do you actually really care or getting another worthless politician of your party all you care about?
China will be buying the oil. So it helps police state Communism and Big Oil
Incorrect. The oil will be sold to South American and European countries. The Panama canal is not capable of handling big tankers. That comes later after China completes its widening of the Panama Canal which is in progress.
Just like the developers blasting and leveling our mountaintops to errect wind turbines. What little nergy they actually produce is being exported south into the ISO New England grid, it’s not staying here in Maine.
They blast and level mountaintops for coal. They need the mountain tops as high as possible for wind.
They do a hell of a lot of blasting for wind turbines also. They blast and fill crane paths that have to be clearcut 90 feet wide, all over the mluntain top or ridgeline. The concrete bases are usually blasted 15-20′ deep and then filled with concrete, etc., etc. You’d have to actually experience seeing a couple of these projects during different phases of construction to understand how much they have to alter the terrain to install theses useless things.
So just let the poor chumps in West Virginia have their mountains leveled so you can turn on your lights. It’s called shared sacrifice.
How do you feel about the price of gas right now? Is it affecting your family? How are your grocery bills lately? Listen honey, people are suffering right now and drowning from the cost of ffo and fuel and you don’t seem to give a @#$%.
Bull. You’re reading too much leftist crap.
How do you like $4.00 a gallon of 90% gasoline /10% junk, $5.00 a gallon diesel and $4.00 a gallon heating oil. Because this pipeline would definitely help bringing the price of oil or gas down. Along with more drilling and getting other sources of fuel like Natural Gas Pipelines etc.. The Liberals would think solar panels, wind turbines are going to be our savior. None of these power our cars so we can go to work everyday. Obama wants to do everything so we can all become lazy and depend on Government for everything. Getting rid of 10% ethanol in our gas would be a start. Liberals claim to want more fuel efficient cars but give us ethanol to destroy gas milage and engine peformance. What lies all they want is to distroy our economy and send us back into the dark ages.
That’s got to be it! Liberals want to destroy the economy and send us all back to the dark ages. If that’s true, we can rely on one thing: the entire right-wing will be there to welcome us.
Ya right. The typical feeble-minded GOP (Goofy Old Party) response: drill dummies drill. Why? Because the GOPers are so deeply pawned by the oil corporations. Whatever is best for the oil millionaires whom the GOPers utterly worship. Yes, go ahead GOP, keep saying no to science, and no to innovation, and no to intelligence in general. Just drill baby drill away for that finite dirty fossil fuel, put it in your 10-miles-per gallon gas guzzlers, and line the pockets of your oil corporation masters. The Goofy Old Party: Land of the lost cave dwellers.
but would employ many Americans in the process, very shortsighted on both their parts…
It would have passed had they waited until after the elections. Republicans pushed it because they thought the issue would hurt Obama. They chose hurting Obama over the pipeline.
Oh, so Obama passed on hundreds of jobs for American’s because he felt pressured by the republicans. WOW!!
He is a wuss,Might be true.
No, because the experts said they could not assure safety and environmental aspects within the Republicans completely fabricated “deadline”. Obama could only approve it if he completely and utterly ignored those who know most about these issues!
Chris Mathews get another “tingle” up his leg on that one?
What about the jobs that it would have created? Oh, I forgot, its not about jobs with democrats, its about the environment and entitlements. Jobs are secondary.
The jobs figures were inflated by the oil industry, as they counted one job as one person working for a year. That doesn’t take into account the fact that most of the workers will work for more than one year.
I’d be happy with a job to go to this week ! Count me in as one who wants jobs ,not social programs!
The only jobs would have been in oil spill cleanup and medical personnel because of the safety and environmental disasters from rushing the project design.
Many more jobs would be created if we fixed the housing market rather than any pipeline being constructed
Barney Frank has done a fine job on that front… or rear…
Are you homophobic ?
How do you stop a dem from posting , post (work or job) democrats Kryptonite.
You better get back to your Fox news, before you miss some more untruths being spewed over your airways!!
Because Democrats can’t possibly be retired or work nights, huh?
With all the jobs Paul LePage promised why do we need more?
Bull-either way, it means American jobs, money into the tax kitty, etc. You anti energy idiots are helping the ruinization of America. We NEED the energy, period.
This is a very misguided statement. I hope you will look into the facts and see that this is not the case. You have been misinformed.
Oil and oil products are frangible. It doesn’t matter where they come from as long as they’re added to the oil supply, the market. Anything we can do to increase oil production will lower the price of oil for everyone. We have an unemployment problem. I’d rather be paying for oil that was refined in the U.S. than in China.
bull. the pipeline would have no effect on the price of oil. we are selling gas and oil abroad.
its just speculation , thanks to republicans
”
Analysts also noted that escalating prices seemed linked more to speculation about possible future supply deficits than any actual shortages. Suspicions about rising stockpiles of oil stored on ships at sea were also clouding the true level of available supplies.
“In our view, the recent price increase was predominantly based on expectations and concerns, amplified by renewed inflows of money into the exchanges,” said a report from JBC Energy in Vienna. “Only a minor share appears to be due to physical activity, which at the margin – and this is crucial – is taking barrels out of the market and not consuming them.”
o Despite the rising prices, there seemed to be ample supplies available. A report showed U.S. crude stockpiles growing more than expected last week, suggesting demand remains sluggish.The American Petroleum Institute said late Wednesday that crude inventories rose 3.6 million barrels last week while analysts surveyed by Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos., had predicted an increase of 1.7 million barrels.”–“Inventories of gasoline added 314,000 barrels last week while distillates rose 630,000 barrels, the API said.””In other energy trading, heating oil rose 2.5 cents to $3.29 per gallon and gasoline futures added 1.08 cents to $3.2738 per gallon. Natural gas added 1.8 cents to $2.661 per 1,000 cubic feet.”Futures is Speculation — enjoy it tea partiers, it’s CAPITALISM at it’s best
Agree if they keep it here, but it is not and now oil is one of the biggest money making exports.
It is useless to explain economics to these liberals. Facts and logic mean nothing. It’s all about ideology with them.
Where did you get your economics degree, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Colombia, or Fordham?
Keystone will NEVER lower the price of oil or gas by ONE penny… Your GOP leaders get the $$$$$$$ Donations from BIG oil, voters get GOP lies……..!!!
Both dems and reps alike get big $$$$ from oil companies, in 1995 America was told it will be 10 years if we drill more, well now here we are, today the DNC chair woman said it will take 20 years before drilling more will affect the price of oil, the time line keeps changing.
In today’s market we do not have a shortage, if we drill more here, or pipe line it in, and we build up a surplus the oil companies will just ship it over seas to Japan, and China to keep the price up.
The oil cartels have us right where they want us.
If the price of milk can be regulated, and I do not need to buy milk, then why is it that gas can not be regulated????
Because then the people that speculate on the market wouldn’t make a ton of money!
you do realize alot of 401k investments are with oil.
ahh….what?
Yea, and just look where Obama’s polices have done to oil prices.
Just like your boy Newt promising $2.50 per gallon gasoline if elected, what has he been smoking?
And I am sure your guy will have it up to $4.50 by Spring.
Since the improving economy has played a significant part in driving up demand that then drives up prices … you are actually somewhat correct.
yea improving economy, every price in the store is up. Temporary, before the election. It was like McKernan saying we were in the black and after the election we were in the red.
What is your excuse for the past three years while the economy has been in the tank and Obama has been taking million dollar vacations? Gas has been more than $3 since Obama has bought his election.
I’m wondering why, while Bush was in office, republicans were claiming that the POTUS couldn’t control the gas prices, but now that Obama is in office it’s all his fault?
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-29/u-s-was-net-oil-product-exporter-in-2011.html
“The reason we can export so much is demand in the U.S. is weak,” Cohan said. Since 2005, the U.S. has lost nearly 2 million barrels a day of total product consumption, he said.
Why don’t you name them Bruce?
Seeing is believing?
Please , are you that forgetful ? The price of gas in Jan of 2009 ( when hope and change took office ) was $1.78 per gallon. Could you please twist this in order to better blame the republicans !
Yes, fuel prices always go down in a steep recession.
Isn’t it great that we have started a recovery?
recovery, yea right look at food prices. Look at the savings rates.
Nice twist !
Keystone will not lower anyone’s prices. Better do some research on that ? Oil prices are set on the open world market. Are you trying to tell us that the keystone pipeline will supply enough oil for the US. to flood the market and drive down prices ?Don’t forget the oil shale in that pipeline must be purchased from the Canadians. Good luck on your theory that Keystone could in any way lower oil prices my friend!
Yes, he cares about the people of Maine. But he is not a real Democrat. He is much too socially conservative to be a Democrat. The Democratic Party better put up a better choice.
You’re as bad as the Neo-Cons who label people “RINO’s”. The Democratic Party has already put up the best choice.
If these are the Dems. best choices, we are really in trouble.
That would insinuate they had a better choice? Who? His sidekick from Millinocket?
What?
Please shut up for once and support someone and something local.
Just what we need is another tax and spend Liberal. When does it end with you Liberals? Do we have to wait for the physical evidence, or do you think you might be able to read between the lines a bit? Just a thought.
like putting 2 wars on a credit card? oops , wait a minute that was bush wasnt it?
And nearly all of congress and America approved of the war.
The country approved it because we were told lies. I mean, not lies, it’s not a lie if you believe it, right?
Do not forget who else said there were WMD’s President Clinton, Senator Clinton, Senator Kerry, the Term WMD’s was before the 2nd President Bush, think WMDs started in the 1st Gulf War, and for you eagles, I spent over 20 years in the Army. So I do have a bit of lets say experience about what I;m talking about.
I made no mention of political parties in reference to the war, so what is your comment even about? Enough with trying to call people out for being partisan-hacks because you’re the one that is clearly engaging in the behavior the most.
Really how many Registered Veterans, are posting here? I already know your a party liner.
How? You can’t even spell you’re right.
I’m a vet and I vote !
Ron Paul has the most support among active duty military personnel. I guess when you arte the tip of the spear you want the spear weilder to have some common sense.
And do you think it would have been approved if Congress and America knew it would be so costly and financed by money borrowed from China? Post 9/11, I don’t remember funding even being part of the discussion. All people remembered was how quickly we dispatched Iraq the first time around.
definitely after 911 Anything would have passed. some are still patriotic enough to believe in our response.To bad one party used it as rhetoric.Looking back on all past wars it was the same.
I didn’t. Did you? If so, why?
Ron Paul consistently voted against the Iraq debacle. Vote for the only honest man on the stage in 2012 Ron Paul!
bingo…
Agreed. He is also one of the least controversial of the elected officials currently in office. I think he would continue to be a great representative, of the state, as a Senator. He would get my vote.
He’d sure get my vote in any Primary at least.
Gotta’ see what King and Cutler do…
Can you give some examples of what Mike has done in Washington for Maine?
It’s hard not to see Snowe’s act as a slap in the face to her own faltering party.
I think she bowed out before she took an awfully embarrasing beating. The voters of Maine have grown tired of her and her aisle jumping has disallusioned many of her previous supporters. She saw the handwriting on the wall !
Mrs. Snow had her seat in hand, I am a left leaning independent, and I and most of my ilk would have voted for her again as a sane republican who can put the needs of the country above the needs of her party. Your statement reveals a true lack of understanding of maine politics, Olympia helped everyone in this state regardless of party.
I grew up in the home of a professional politician and have studied Maine politics for over 55 years. I do have a good understanding of what goes on. Can you name just one politician , especially career politician , who does not benefit directly both financially and professionally from the hard work of those they serve. I would suggest Olympia is no different. Politicians who appear to do well for their constituents do so because they have become experts at the political system. I find it appalling that Olympia has decided to bow out just when the going gets tougher .
Snowe’s approval ratings are close to the best for any senator.
She would have won easily.
We’ll never know now will we !
Can’t wait to see the Dems devour each other.
Ain’t gonna happen.
Thanks for finally admitting Pingree, Michaud and Baldacci have done nothing for the state of Maine. I can’t wait to see the love fest between the Dems, in no time at all they will be scratching each others eyes out. With all of them jumping in so fast it’s all about power to them, they could careless about the people of Maine.
I still hope they start more online papers on each other.Worked well for the republicans last election.
Can you imagine how they’ll start ratting each other out?
You have to be joking!
From Orono, would not expect anything different coming from the home of indoctrination.
Yes, that’s exactly what we need, more tax and spend liberals. These three libs are part of what got this state into the mess we’re in to begin with. All the second and third generation welfare scammers but be dancing in the streets at this news.
no !!!!!! not this meatball
Go getum Mike!
How will sending a retread like this guy help change the stalemate in washington?
If you want to end the stalemate, vote a straight Democratic ticket. Republicans don’t believe in government; therefore, they elect people like LePage who are unfit to govern.
That would be insanity also as that party is unable to govern as well. Need to send independants and outsiders with a mandate to not follow but to lead
If you are receiving social security or Medicare benefits, are thankful for the defeat of Hitler, are able to buy GM or Chrysler products, or no longer fear Osama bin Laden, thank the Democratic presidents who made these things possible.
If you want unregulated banks, filthy air and water, uninspected agricultural products, and no minimum wage, by all means vote Republican. The parties are not equally at fault. The Republican Party has let its inmates run their asylum.
Read the Obama care legislation and watch what happens to the cost of medicare AFTER the election. Those who are thankful to the democrat who put SSI in place cannot afford a GM or Chrysler product. The war in the middle east rages on and cannot be won. Our ( Obama appointed) secretary of the treasury benefited directly from the AIG bailout money. The price of a gallon of gas when Obama took office was $ 1.78 per gallon , need I go on ……..
Do not claim that you have read all 906 pages of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The non-partisan CBO has repeatedly scored the ACA as reducing the deficit and lowering the growth rate in Medicare spending. It is actually funded with tax dollars (a small 0.45% increase in the Medicare tax for couples with taxable income above $250,000, assessed only on taxable income above that threshold), unlike Bush’s Medicare prescription drug program which is funded entirely on borrowed money.
SSI refers to supplemental security income, which is given only to those who are disabled and poor with no work history. Those on social security include most Americans over 65; these Americans are most certainly buying cars from GM and Chrysler now. Talk to any car salesman about who his buyers are.
Where is there a single American soldier at war in the Middle East? Afghanistan is in southwest Asia. Take out a geography book.
If you want to lower gas prices, ask Congress to re-regulate the commodities market to bar futures trades made by banks and other speculators on oil deliveries they would neve actually be prepared to accept. We used to limit the commodities market to those with skin in the game. Now banks can simply place bets.
You can feel free to go on. You will only test your limits for embarrassing yourself.
You have pointed out my incorrect assumptions very well. I concede , I will just sit back and watch it unfold. If you have time check out the scheduled $86. dollar increase in medicare contributions that is scheduled to take effect in 2013 , just after the next presidential election I’m afraid. That will be deducted from the $800. or so monthly check of most SSI and SSDI recipients who already pay about $96. dollars per month for medicare. That amount is not proportional I believe and will be also deducted from those who only receive $200-$300 a month. Many of those folks have nothing else to live on and I can’t see them driving GM or Chrysler cars , or any cars for that matter. You may be educated but you are also blind to the truth. Political fact is quite often not reality !
I have not seen the notice of what the change in the Medicare Part B deduction will be. I suggest you write our Congresscritters suggesting that the deduction be on a sliding scale if it is not already. Someone netting $2,000 per month on SS retirement benefits can afford a higher premium.
Yes who now is it that is taking 500 million out of entitlements?To give to the insurance company’s.
Your post makes no sense. The ACA ends Bush’s subsidies to insurance companies who sell Medicare Advantage plans. Turn off Faux News and join the reality-based community.
Both parties are guilty of that
See the post immediately above your post.
Stalemate, look at Obama, we need to get him out.
Bin Laden is dead, Wall Street is regulated, the Dow is above 13,000, we will have had 24 consecutive months of private sector job growth as of this coming Friday’s jobs report, the troops are out of Iraq and the troops are coming home from Afghanistan. I discern that peace and prosperity don’t cut it for you. You apparently want to go back to the wars and recession of Bush.
You remind me of the fellow who got out of a car wreck with his alcoholic buddy at the wheel, got a ride to the hospital with a total stranger, and went out drinking and driving with his alcoholic buddy the very next night. On the way out the door to his buddy’s now wobbly sedan he blamed the stranger for getting him to a hospital.
And now we have a limited nuclear disarmament of North Korea. Hooray for President Obama!
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/world/asia/us-says-north-korea-agrees-to-curb-nuclear-work.html
But don’t you miss all of Bush’s accomplishments: the worst terrorist attack in US history, the second worst foreign war in US history, the worst government response to a natural disaster in US history, and the second worst economic crisis in US history, to name but a few. It was a presidency that began with a dubious court intervention in the counting of votes and ended in infamy!
Yea, Obama has the worst economic crisis, called the National Debt.
What is the current interest rate we are paying on that debt? That we can borrow money so cheaply is a vote of confidence by the lenders in the strength of our economy. Our debt to GDP ratio was higher coming out of WW II. The economy soared and the debt to GDP ratio began dropping.
If you think austerity is the road to prosperity, move to Greece.
If Obama stays, we won’t have to worry about Greece, probably be speaking Arabic.
I do miss the jokes.
funny how history was written in the media with no facts.
And which of Bush’s “accomplishments” do you contend did not occur during his term?
Gas is still climbing. The deficit is higher than any President, You think they are coming home from Afgh.? We will be in a war with Syria, look at Iran. The troops are not all out of Iraq. Look at our soldiers still getting killed in Afgh. If you think there, then you live in a dream world.
Check this site six months or a year from now and ask yourself whether you have dreamed that we “will be in a war with Syria” or “Iran.” We sent the mad cowboy back to Texas. Once his tax cuts expire, the deficit will begin closing. You can long to have that drunken cowboy back at the wheel, but the sane among us will re-elect President Obama.
Almost every President has left office with the deficit higher than when he entered office.
The troops left in Iraq are guarding the embassy. We are leaving Afghanistan slowly, not cutting and running as you would prefer.
If you want to bring down gas prices, ask that we re-regulate the commodities market to require that anyone buying a gas futures contract be prepared to accept delivery. The banks that have been speculating on gas prices will have to leave the gaming table.
Not 3 times higher, this deficit is going to take a lot longer, he spent more than George Washington to George Bush. You best check the amount of troops actually in Iraq, Funny he is just removing our soldiers as it gets close to the election. Ask why we export more than we import, regardless of the party, check the last time we build a refinery? Can’t do that because the liberal enviromental Democrats don’t want that. All the democrats can talk about is alternative energies, that a lot of things do not work in the Northeast. Because the a lot of the democrats are probably lining their pockets with alternative energy money.
Learn to spell and then get the rabies test. Better yet, get the rabies test first.
Is that better? We know how Democrats have to be so politically correct, and do not not make any mistakes? Though your sentence seems to be fragmented, somewhat. lol
I could send this back for spelling corrections ten times and you still wouldn’t get it right. Accept your limits.
Well if that is all you have to rant about, I consider myself lucky.
The president can’t and won’t bring back the troops , he might shuffle them around , can you imagine what all those returning troops would do to the nations employment lines !
In the reality-based community we recognize that troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan were at 180,000 when Obama took office and have dropped to less than 100,000 by January of this year. That level will be 70,000 this summer. I have talked to returning soldiers who are thankful they will not be going back for another tour of duty. Turn off Faux News and join the real world.
Do you mean we’re not headed to Syria ? That is good news !
Only fools like Romney, Gingrich, and Santorum would drag us into war with Syria.
Do you get your reading material from media matters?
I get it from living an informed life. The posts to which you have responded involve Bush “accomplishments” I had the misfortune to live through, as well as Obama accomplishments we can celebrate.
I think it has a direct line to Soros.
Emily Cain 2012!
Yup, just like so many of Maine’s decisions, elect a nut.
Just what Maine needs right now , a young inexperienced spender with a big ego. Please do what’s right for the working people and find someone else !
Just what we need another never worked a day liberal. Emily Cain needs to get out of public life and work a real job in Maine for ten years before she runs for anything else. It would due wonders for her perspective.
Hopefully if we keep working hard we can keep her out of the 30 district.Then Augusta will start draining out.
Are you saying you need to keep “working hard” to stop an already term limited state representative from getting reelected?
Why don’t all of you complaining get off the computer and GET UP and start your own Campaign if you think you can do better!
Because we are commenting on those that do. It is our right you know.
Mike has my vote.
Mine too.
Finally someone like MIKE or Chellie. Good old socialist/nannies who will focus on important tasks like taking gun rights away from Mainers and ensuring maine continues to be the most taxed state among the 57 states of america. Yah
Evidently listening and believing fox news has the same effect on the mind as bath salts.
Yes, yes shut down fox there shall be no dissidents. No opposing views. Only one voice, one party, one leader, one obama.
Amen the Liberals would rather us take the gospel that comes from the Obama and DNC TV and Radio news networks. Networks such as CNN, MSNBC, Current TV, CBS News, NBC News, ABC NEWS , PBS Newshour and NPR. All Obama-Biden, Clinton, Pelosi, Reid, and Democrat Party all the time. That is their version of the Fairness Doctrine or Fairness Act on TV and Radio they have been preaching about that should pass in congress. Anything that is Anti-Liberal would go away.
You persistently sneer at liberal thinking people, collectively and conveniently grouping all liberalism under a label, as if liberalism is a political Liberal party.
There is no Liberal party. No two liberals are alike. All differ in their opinions, policies and goals. Liberals are not roped into separate quarters or lines. They vote as they wish – Republican, Democrat or Independent. Liberal thinkers are not chained to any party or political idea, or, ideology.
Overall, liberal thinking people believe in equal rights and the importance of liberty. Human rights, liberal
democracy, freedom of religion, honest elections, constitutionalism, and, Capitalism. It’s an annotated dictionary explanation that more than adequately sums up liberalism, and what most liberals are about.
As a stoic tea party supporter you are relegated to watching and listening to your party’s declarative radical right wing propaganda from Limbaugh, Hannity, O’Reilly, Coulter, Morris, Rove. They all have been chanting the same messages of hate for the past three years. Their number One target and only target is President Barack Obama. The attacks began the moment he raised his hand and swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States.
As a result Mitch McConnel and John Boehner knelt before their tea party captors and swore that their only mission would be to defeat the president. Olympia Snowe had it up to her eyes and quit.
Yes, we need lies to add another dimension. Let’s have devisiveness. Let’s not have one voice unless it is yours.
You mean FAKE-News, which is just what that numb-minded right wing corporatist propaganda nonsense is. Right up there with the utter nuttiness of Rush Limpmind and Glenn Nutball Beck.
That’s the tea party. They muzzled the republicans. It’s either our way – or, you don’t get re-elected. Ask Mitch McConnell and John Boehner. McConnell refuses to act on any legislation why Obama is president. Obama’s views are not welcome by this tea party-governed man. He has to believe in one voice, one party – the tea party.
You watch Fox?
Nope, don’t even own a tv.
fifty-seven states? really?
Or maybe we can make the wooppie pie our national desert.
I’ve never heard anyone of your so-called socialists ordering the cancellation of your gun rights. I did hear Mitch McConnell and John Boehner threaten not to renew unemployment benefits for those stuck in this recession – and others – unless democrats agreed not to cut the massive tax breaks enjoyed by the ultra rich as provided by George W. Bush.
The biggest welfare recipients are the ultra rich.
Mike..too dumb to be anything other than a legislator.
Where my forktruck?????????????
I looked him up on the Mensa member directory. This is going to be a shocker to those that receive a check as their occupation but Mike is not listed. Maybe it was a bad year and he didn’t think he could afford the $63 for dues (maybe Pelosi gave him trading tips that only had an ROI of 25%).
That makes 2 of you.
All these choices would be an improvement over Snowe. However all also have their own glaring flaws and baggage to overcome. If they all run I fear we’ll see the same thing we just had happen in the vote for Governor. A spit vote that will create a situation were ANOTHER dimwit will slip in to be put up on a pedestal as a representative of Maine people. How much embarrassment can one State endure?
We endured the democrats for 30 years we can stand anything.
Who do you think can “spit” the farthest? I’ll bet it’s one of the girls ;)
I would Vote for a wallrus before I would vote Republican!
He will do!
The saliva is running freely in politico-Maine World….
Pete Vigue would be my choice.
OMG!! Is this really not April 1st instead of February 29th??
Why not? Hacks are interchangeable….
I hear the mills are reopening. Mike needs to go back to operating his fork-lift. He has proven that he’s incompetent to be in politics. BUT, all of you Liberals will certainly vote him in again!
Yes, he’s so incompetent he got reelected four times.
The voters are incompetent, Michaud seized an opportunity and capitalized on it. You just keep voting in those Liberals. I’ve been here long enough to see the “hopeless change” and it is not for the better.
I don’t think calling the voters incompetent is the best way to get them to support your views.
You got it. change-change you can believe in. it may take a revolution.
Your point there are dead people still on the books for 8 yrs in his home town! And you wonder how he got re-elected?
That’s irrelevant, unless you know of thousands of dead people voting- in which case you should report it to Secretary Summers. And if that was really happening, wouldn’t Charlie Webster be screaming about it?
I’m sure some of those dead people are Republicans, too.
None of them show up as ever having cast a single vote after they died. It’s just the newest shiniest right wing talking point.
A few town clerks did not purge 100% of the names of folks who died from the voter roles. Not one of these folks are recorded as having voted. But, like all of the “voter fraud” fairly tales, the right wing is whining and pretending that it means something that it clearly does not.
Michaud, local guy, worked in the mill for a while. At least has an inkling of what working people have to deal with on a daily basis. Unless he has a big backer, probably can’t compete financially with Pingree for the nomination.
Pingree, being married to a billionaire has it’s perks. She could run and be beholding to no one other than the people she represents.
Her seat could be aptly filled by her daugher Hannah.
Kevin Raye, would probably be the most logical Republican in the state to run. So far he hasn’t signed a pledge to kiss Grover Norquists ring and hasn’t signed a pledge to never raise taxes if neccessary.
Charles Sommer is making noises, but I believe he is in the pocket of MHPC/ALEC/Grover Norquist. He should resume his career as a live model for clothing.
There are others but I believe that one of these will be the main players IMO.
Yeah-Local Union worker! There is a difference-and all the union workers know it. It is reflected in the way they vote.
So if someone has ever belonged to a union, that disqualifies them for higher office? Then I guess if you are a ALEC/MHPC/Grover Norquist follower you shouldn’t be allowed to run for higher office. Good for the goose, good for the gander.
He’s incredibly well-liked, this should be easy for him. Make Maine proud!
Mike Michaud has done nothing of any consequence and is not of senate timber. Backbencher at best but perhaps at least we would know what we were getting. Probably makes little difference, Maine is eternally a national afterthought.
Great…. we’ll have an illiterate U.S. “Senater” .
We already do. Did you hear about the Congress person who asked if Guam would capsize because of the weight of the detainees? How about the Congress woman who asked if all big business could be run by the government? You don’t see these idiots on the evening news, but they are there, for sure.
I do think that southern congressman was talking about Puerto Rico, and the reason was the Marine 4 Star General want to put more troops there not the killers.
Gosh, at least it isn’t Chillie………
Chillie Willie?
The penguin?
So you’re really glad Lepage isn’t running I take it?
Thats what this country needs is another union hack to hang with Nobama
just what this posting needs, another tea party whiner
It will be interesting.
Well I guess is is finaly getting sick of having Nancy Pelosi tell him his ever more and vote. Now he will be Harry Rieds Lacky!!!!!
I find it hilarious that Snowe was criticized for breaking from her party in votes, but Michaud is being criticized for voting with his party too often. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
I would agree if it were the same person, but it is not. Each has a different record and how you can compare is beyond……
Maybe Pingree will want the seat also! They could have a big primary battle and then 1 would lose to the other. At least we would be rid of 1 of them! Hopefully both!!
Everyone’s looking into running. Hell, I’m considering it myself. Light work, easy hours, and the pension and medical plans are super.
You just have to be willing to wade nose deep in the cesspool.
Ya but only for one term, then you are set for life.
Maybe I should go for the House, then — I did three years in the army, I can handle two years shoveling manure . . .
If you made it through basic training you can handle that.
At least he has held a real job ,thats more than most of them have done.
i think he worked for a year or two then got into union politics?
Actually he worked there for over 20 years of course he was member of the steel workers never held a union position that I’m aware of drove a fork truck at great northern
Sent from my U.S. Cellular Android device
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Could you please provide more detail here. What is a “real job”? Are you saying that others had “virtual jobs”?
If, however, you mean that he wasn’t smart enough to get a college degree and a well paid white collar job where you have to use your mind instead of your back then I can understand the “real job” comment. I personally, prefer having someone who has experienced a modicum of entrepenurial success representing me than some factory worker union lackey who only knows only how to punch a time clock.
Before every attacks me about my background, let me say I come from a long of blue collar workers and miners. If I had ever attempted to go into the mines like my grandfathers both would have broken my legs.
You see there used to be time in this country when parents wanted better for their children. In my case, my great grandfather was a dirt poor immigrant farmer, my grandfater a miner with a 3rd grade education, my father a grocer who became a business executive, I joined the US Military and using those skills and two degrees I am now a very well-off executive who sends almost 60% of my annual income (in various taxes) to people other than my family. Personally, I would like to earn enough through investments to be a 1 percenter so my daughter doesn’t have to work and can live off her trust found and persue her musical and equestrian interests.
Quite frankly, I am tired of all this crap about its only “real work” if you get your finger nails dirty. I put in on average sixty hours work weeks (oh, and I don’t get time and a half). I don’t think it is in my or my family’s best interest to vote for someone with as thin of a resume as Congressman Michaud.
If the best you want for your sons and daughters is to work in a pulp mill, I would still suggest you not vote for him–he supports only workers with “real jobs” and unfortunately they don’t seem to have the skills nor capital to open any new mills or keep the current mills running.
if you pay %60 of your income in taxes then you have a terrible accountant.
Chill pill boy I’m speaking of lifetime congress man who have never filled out a resume and never done any ting except milk the public system and they are legion snowe is one of them she retires worth almost 20 million because they know what they are voting on and invest accordingly Kennedy was one so is Kerry etc etc
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A snowball in hades has a better chance of not melting than Michaud has of winning votes in southern Maine
If he is the Democratic nominee running against a Republican he will carry southern Maine easily.
Dat French janitor from Mollyockett?
I got it I got it!!! If we all write in Quimby then she’d be forced to stay in Washington DC and out of Northern Maine!!! Roflmao!!!
State Sen. Cynthia Dill is running for US Senate and also has taken out papers to run in the 1st Congressional District.
Desperate to raise more campaign and PAC money to mooch off of, eh Cindy?
Roxanne’s checking account will be getting a workout soon.
Maine might finally get some positive political press instead of the snickers nationwide since our clown took office.Nice to see the above poll results.Now let’s ACT and save Maine from the TPers forever!
Run Roxanne Q she could start her park with nancy and reed. Put nobamma and Michell my bell in charge of the gate fee to the ZOO
The rats are at the garbage pail, fighting for the scraps. That is allwe need is a union socialist activist to represent us in teh Senate. Bad enough he holds the present office. RIP Maine.
Jesus was a Socialist. I don’t see Conservatives questioning his views.
You mean the bearded guy from the fiction book?
I am laughing at that ridiculous remark. What incredulous proof do you have that Jesu was a socialist?
What incredulous proof do you have that he wasn’t?
I’ll take union socialism over a fascist plutocracy any time. The rich get richer and the poor get penalized.
Sorry but the poor do not try to help themselves especially in a socialist democratic governemnt wher freebies are enticements to vote for a socialist government.
Hitler was the leader of the
National Socialist German Workers’ Party IE: works= Unions
It is the health care law that was to put in a micro chip to track everyone in this country, try reading page 1000. The rich get richer and the poor(45% that do not pay taxes) get a hand out.
what a hack!!! 2 years ago when this country was going into toilet, he was voting for the bailouts and putting thousands in landscaping around his house in East Mill., which by the way you could see the idle mill from his driveway…Lord help us!!!!
Excellent! I am glad to read that Michael Michaud is in the race. There is no need to extend the qualifying period. If someone who wants to run for the senate can’t can all the required signatures, they don’t have the organization to run for this office.
But wouldn’t it be nice to send someone to DC who thinks outside the party line and has some personal integrity?
Who can represent the socialist marxist agenda we
see the progressive movement to be? The BDN will
endorse that person to the hilt.
you do realize how stupid that sounds
I agree and I think we are all stupider for having read that.
Only a Tea Partier or GOP would consider a “progressive” movement to be negative. These folk are seeking a “regressive” agenda, headed by Romney, Santorum and company. Tax and spend is better than war and corruption, which is what the Republicans represent.
Mike will be a great senator.
This whole thing stinks; the economic do-nothing from the 2nd District now wants to run for Snowe’s Senate seat….?
Deb Plowman is running for Congress? She lacks the skills necessary to complete a sentence without giggling. What a horrible excuse for a human being.
Go Mike Go, Win Mike WIN……..!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike would do more good for society (and less damage ) if he would make some Bio-Bricks in Millinocket and get out of politics.
BTW Mike, get that gas line up to the mill, and do some good for your area, instead of pushing wind toys like the other wind shills in your party.
I think Mike just stabbed his buddy (Matthew Dunlap) in the back. Oh no Matt time to get a real job.
Other than vote the Democrats party line, did he do anything on his own while in Congress? I did notice that he voted against anything that resembled fiscal responsibility.
What has Mike accomplished? He has benefited handsomely by walking the party line and making no waves. We can expect more if he is elected. Another selfish politician Washington is so full of.
Wasn’t Snowe criticized for the opposite behavior? So what does a representative have to do to please people like you?
Democrats crossing the aisle? Name one.
LOL, happens all the time! But that’s besides the point. Snowe was relentlessly called a RINO and criticized for willing to compromise and now you’re going to criticize Michaud for not doing what Snowe was criticized for doing? Pretty ridiculous and hypocritical.
Post your proof that it happens all the time, no in the last 3 years is has not, and that has been a two way street. Not just the republican’s. In the last three years how many times were the rep. locked out of things by the dems? I can name one
1ST SESSION H. R. 3200.
The Democrats are in control and they’re the ones putting forth legislation. However, a substantial amount of the legislation has included Republican proposals. That’s fact. Obama offered major concessions that were all turned down during the debt ceiling debate as well — now we’re stuck with the automatic cuts.
You’re pretty ridiculous in accusing others of being partisan hacks. You’re one of the worst ones on these comment boards.
Guess you can’t name one. I have never criticized Snowe. Made fun, yeah.
Michaud crossing the aisle? Never happen.
See GOP run, run GOP, run.
See GOP lose, lose GOP, lose.
Anyone except Emily Cain, D-Kentucky
Are you sure it isn’t New Jersey?
She was born in Kentucky
Go Baldy!
Good we can finally rid ourselves of Mike M… He can and will be beat in the election…
Next we need someone to take on the job to fill his seat…
I just hope the Democrats can get their act together and not throw this opportunity away as we did in the 2010 election for governor.. Let’s not risk splitting the moderate and progressive votes and give another tea partier an opportunity.
What are you talking about . . . you’ve had a democrat in this seat for 33 years!
Snowe voted with Republican leadership over 97% of the time.
Not exactly a Democrat, huh?
With Snowe out, we are all doomed!
Does anyone here think Baldacci has a chance at this? Please tell me no…….
Wow – you people are hateful. Why anyone would even want to run for political office is beyond me. Totally thankless job representing grumpy people with over inflated egos who think they have the answers to everything. Get a life – or maybe a job.
Very well put!
Can Michaud and Pingree still run in the Democratic Primary for their current congressional seats along with running in the same primary for US senate? If they can then there is nothing for them to lose. What happens if they win the US senate primary and the primary for their current seat, is there another primary for the congressional seat? Does the second place finisher get the nomination? Or, does the state Democratic Party pick the candidate? Just a couple of questions I was ruminating over.
I honestly don’t know for sure, but I thought a person could only appear once on a ballot.
I don’t want either of the 3 running for the Senate seat! Baldacci left the State in ruins and Michaud and Pingree are self serving socalist libtards!
A “Senator Baldacci” pushing give away programs and wind power will solve all our problems.
Hussar, neither Michaud or Pingree can run for Senate and the house, they must choose, remember Tom Allen
Seriously? Democrats are going to be picking from these three jokers? I wonder if Baldacci can escape the fact that he didn’t pay hospitals and doctors for Mainecare recipients at the end of his term as governor…
He scurried back to DC as soon as he left the Blaine House, courtesy of a “make work” job in the Pentagon and an appointment by the Community Organizer in Chief.
He needs to stay in DC…Opus Dei needs loyal members.
Being male, I would prefer someone who protects healthcare for men, or at least does not participate in gender warfare, and supports healthcare for all. Tired of extremests like Chellie Pingree…
Hey, there is no men’s heathcare crisis. It isn’t like men are literally dying younger than women. Oh, I guess they are.
Gender warfare? LOL!
Oh my gosh…can’t we have a non-shill to either major party??? More of these buffoons who can’t get anything done where they currently are…
Looks like “recycling” is alive and well in the democrat party!
All pinheads and opportunists.
I thought Baldacci was paid enough graft from First Wind to stay out of the state and cause less damage.
Baldacci is A FAILURE and wants to run for a higher office??!
So far, the Democratic slate is turning my stomach. Thegreatwandini will not tolerate any of these buffoons…I will do my best to defeat whichever of these radical liberals gets the nod.
Baldacci really believes Democrats are stupid enough to vote for him again?
He’s probably right.
I thought the 3 Stooges movie came out in April?
I have always been a Democrat, but I have no use for John Baldacci. I would sooner vote Republican than have him as my Senator.
Let the mud slinging begin.!!!!
I don’t see one good choice in any of them. We all know how badly Baldy did as the governor. Michaud is pure party, will go with what every they say and Pingree only knows that southern Maine exists, no idea there is life past Augusta.
Excellent – line up all the lifer libs to knock one another off. There’s more than one way to drain the swamp!
It was’t bad enough Baldacci was a lousy governor, now he has a chance to be a lousy senator. New blood is needed not someone that was ineffective
Was
Baldacci already a Senator or Congressman before he was Gov? Time for new blood. Would love to see an Independent or Veteran Party run so people can have a good choice.
Don’t forget; he already was a lousy Congressman.
What a mess, hopefully something will come along.
Can someone tell me how this will work? Will there be a primary for the democrats and repubs? And if so, when would that be?
Please dear god, not Baldy
Wake me when it’s over. PS Serious photoshopping on the chellie photo.
Baldy needs another retirement pension.
We are very luck in Maine to have such a large number of well qualified people willing to serve their country.
Willing to serve themselves is more like it.
Dam do I agree on that one.
You of course are without sin and may judge others without resorting to facts or even reality.
What a joke
ANGUS kING HAS MY VOTE!
Baldacci was a limp wristed Governor. Never made any hard decisions, just kicked the can down the road. I fully expect the Democrats in this State to back him whole heartedly.
Yea right Hell no and uh maybe
Question? If Michaud or Pingree Put in there Signatures for the Senate seat will they still be able to put them in for their seats they hold now?
I hope not, then would get rid of the three of them at once..
Thanks Olympia now look what you have done by jumping off the fince. We are doomed to stupididy and free everything for those on the doll
Hey, we might get a chance to put all three out of jobs! Woo Hoo!
They are all second choice to her grace.
Snowe is the gift that keeps on giving…NOT!
She waits 7 months prior to the election and announces she wants out. She wouldn’t have been reelected anyway, but it would have been nice to have given a heads up.
Remarkable how those DEM vultures came out of the cave when they heard about the gravey train opening. Howdy Duty woild win over them all.
Have people already forgot the damage to Maine from Baldacci?
We need him as a senator as much as we need more addicts relocating to Maine for the free ride he and his cronies created.
Chellie’s husband is gonna go broke putting her in office to continue her demise of Maine.
The only reason she is a D is that she has never had to truly work for a living thanks to family money.
Mike who?
Please wake up Maine, just like you did last year…….
PS… Check out the poll and see what party is still at work today and unable to vote on it yet !!!!
What a bunch of losers.
Help us !
Maybe they will start another online papers about these candidates. Thank you dims we are looking forward to a great 2012.
Can we get somebody else to run , instead of the gaggle of career politicians !
It is amazing to me that Baldacci does not realize that his time has come and gone.
These three suck , give us some more choices
Baldacci and First Wind. This is going to become very interesting.
High Frequency Trading Spreads Across Energy Markets
http://www.imackgroup.com/mathematics/758763-high-frequency-trading-spreads-across-energy-markets/
[snip]
High-frequency trading (HFT) is playing an ever-larger role in energy markets, but is it really suited to the nuanced deal sheets of commodities? Stephen Maloney considers this and asks whether HFT is in fact quietly tilting the table to favour those with the technological advantageThe current market environment – increasingly insolvent governments and greater correlation among asset classes – is characterised by high systemic risk, making hedging difficult and speculative opportunities fleeting. Such trends increase leverage and heighten sensitivity to central bank policies, especially those affecting currency pairings. Energy assets, with their dollar denomination and international flows, are directly affected.Electronic trading is normally separated into two classes: automated trading, in which algorithms and business logic guide computer trades; and manual trading, whereby traders execute trades on an electronic platform. We take electronic trading so much for granted because it is so ubiquitous. Electronic communication networks (ECNs) carry the overwhelming bulk of trades today and provide the platform for direct trading.BackgroundHFT is a particular kind of automated trading, typically performed on an ECN, and characterised by reliance on high-frequency data in which positions are held for short periods of time (seconds or less).Several market and technological factors converged over the past decade to enable HFT, including:The 1998 US Securities and Exchange Commission decision authorising electronic exchanges.The 2001 decimalisation of US capital markets and consequential growth, leading to tighter bid-ask spreads, lower trade size and higher volumes.The New York Stock Exchange’s 2003 introduction of automated quote dissemination, enabling high-frequency price discovery.The growth in derivatives products in response to higher trading volumes (tripling since 2003), further expanding price discovery and leverage for a broad range of asset classes.The adoption of the Fix protocol and its growing role as a standard for conveying algo orders among broker-dealers, banks, funds and institutional investors.The diffusion of advanced technology from the supply chain sector into capital markets, bringing with it low-latency middleware and feed handlers.HFT’s growth has been driven by self-reinforcement. The Bank for International Settlements reports HFT represents a significant share of turnover in equities markets (56% in the US, 38% in Europe and 10–30% in Asia-Pacific markets).Brogaard (2011) goes further, reporting HFT’s involvement in around 70% of dollar volume traded, and generally at the best bid and offer. He also estimates HFT trading on US equity markets earns $2.8 billion–4.1 billion in gross trading profits with a Sharpe ratio of 3.6–4.5.Despite its large volumes, HFT is a very concentrated industry sector. Only 2% of US trading firms (around 400 or so) are active in HFT, with the dominant players including the major banks, Getco, Tradebot, Citadel and QuantLab. Leading HFT hedge funds include DE Shaw, SAC Global Advisors and Renaissance Technologies.
Note: Larry Summers had the woman who writes this blog fired for exposing his fraud at Harvard.. Larry has worked for DE Shaw who has an ownership stake in First Wind/UPC.
Their sponsors eyes are rolling!!!! Please fling mud in public, thats the dirt I want to see covered in the media!! (-:
When all the Rs dogpiled on, I thought I heard “Send in the Clowns” playing somewhere. Now I’m sure of it.
The last thing the State of Maine or this country for that matter needs is John Baldacci, Mike Michaud or Chellie Pingree in the US Senate. It’s time for some new blood.
The three stooges!
The three dunces.
word from the Maine whisper stream is Diebold and the FBI are going with Baldacci.
Time for some new blood. Has he ever held down a real job outside of politics?
Baldacci was first elected to public office in 1978 at the age of 23, when he served on the Bangor City Council. He continued in politics, winning election to the Maine Senate in 1982. Baldacci served as a State Senator for 12 years.[2]
A Democrat, he also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.
These people collect retirements, from every position they hold, B man is collecting enough of the taxpayer $$$, Bush Senior is the same way, how cks does he get, Vice Pres, Congressman, President ect… this has got to stop. What ever happened to double dipping????
It is sad it is not illegal. Baldacci is in it for the money, if not for government he would have been working for his mother who may have made him give an honest day’s work.
Man, when I saw the name “King,” I was hoping for Steven, not Angus, not for political values, but for a brain.
A liberal brain, have enough of those already. we need to send in a different way of thinking on both sides of the fence.
Oh right, you’re sooooooo nonpartisan, lol
Thought you did not like my post you seem to always have something to say, which is nothing as usual, can only be partisan if I am a member of their party which I am not a Dem or a Rep.
Please anyone except these career politicians…Lets get a real down to earth blue collar in there to represent us….
Agree
I would try, but where do you start?
Good god, its the Democratic Three Stooges!
Sooo, professional politicians are going to vie for Sen Snow’s job? Just what we DON’T need… It really is time to get ALL the current politicians OUT of the Senate and the House and vote in people that will help rebuild a nation that is near collapse from years and years of politicians more interested in enriching themselves than serving the people of this nation.
Run Cutler, Run!
Come on Big Paul. Put your name in the mix. After all, you know how to fix everything! Besides, many would love to see you move south for good.
If the Balded one gets in it would be as bad as having a 2nd Al Franken in the Senate
The selection for who is running as a Dem in the senate race, is being bought and paid for as we speak…. behind closed doors.. Since the 3 are melded together I’m sure there will be some birthing pains.
You are right,it’s being paid for by the unions.
Is’ s it rich , are we a pair , you on the ground and me in the mid air , Send in the CLOWNS
LePage should quit and run for senate, the entertainment value would be Priceless!
It’s getting better by the Update. and the show goes on…
also possibly William D McGurn from the franklin area may seek nomination ,he has been gathering signatures all day in hancock county
hes a democrat, wants to legalize pot
Life is good…..Ain’t IT ?!?!?!?
Their should be a way to boot them all out after 8 years, beyond that we have corruption to represent us. They are bought like so much meat on the hook in a Chicago stockyard. We the People, are the fools.
Do not extend the deadline–let them work hard for a change to get their signatures!
God help us all of Pingree or some other leftist gets into this office-the LAST thing the state of Maine or the nation needs.
Baldy — Seriously?
Zombie politicians attack! NOOOOOOO!
A piece of rotten meat always brings out the maggots.
Since all these people have already run our state into the ground do we have any other takers who might actually be a business person how know what the people actually want and can keep a budget
Don’t let any current or former office holder in. Get some new blood who will work for the People, not for interest grps.
D or R’s…..Same old names and faces, God save us all!
Long live the King ! OOPS…Wrong Era :<(
God save the Queen, oh yeah,,, that's Elton John…
"Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound"…….duh,,,,,Superman="W"
OH WEll,,,,,whatever?!?!?!?
This ought to go down as Maine’s greatest parade of super egos. Just think – until yesterday they all had something more or less useful to do, something which matched their skill sets. That was yesterday. Now they have unique untapped qualities which make them just the ticket for a career to try and save the one legislative body in this country that ought be excised as any constitutional tumor ought be. It’ll be great fun, it will.
My popcorn machine is running overtime!!!!
What a bunch of nasty comments, wonder who Senator Snowe wants to quick!!!
Baldacci? Seriously?
It will take this state 20 years to undo what this man has done. He can’t seriously think anyone wants more of that. There has got to be some new blood that wants to represent Maine. Every one of these people are more of the same old BS.
Who wouldn’t want her job? She became a millionaire while “serving” Mainers. So now we have a grocery list of career politicians looking to take the place of a career politician. I wouldn’t look for our lives to improve.
I thought Baldacci and King were busy fleecing the taxpayers by pocketing the subsidies for wind energy!
OH NO, please no more Baldacci!!!!!!! In Any capacity
That’s exactly how I feel too.
What a bunch of tired retreads. Do it once and you are volunteering. Do it twice and you are dedicated to serving. Do it more and you are a spotlight loving, ego-centric narcissist who prefers policy making to honest work.
This is going to be one wild free-for-all
Look at all the parasite hacks frothing at the mouth… Mainers wont disappoint..they love voting themselves in new masters…
Despite the dearth of useful comments, these folks (the old tired retreads) are the only people with the name recognition to launch a credible campaign at this late date. They have their funding sources all mapped out, and their speeches all written.
Great. Just what we need — more career politicians. In other words, nothing will change.
I am trying to wake up and am presented with that rogue’s gallery. At least warn people!
all the politicians that did nothing for MAINE citizens want to run for the senate to continue to do nothing. We are the poorest state in the union exactly because of these people.
Jeez…This is like a never ending nightmare! pingree, baldi, michaud, king, cutler! Oh My God! Snowe quit the senate because of harry reid and the democrats and their socialism ramming agenda! Why the heck would anyone in their right mind want to put another democrat in her place?
What we need is a Conservative willing to fight for common sense values and follow the Constitution for a change! Your not getting that nor will you get that with a democrat in the Senate!
You people better wake up while we still have some resemblance of a country left!
Where’s that?
ANYBODY BUT PINGREE! Why couldn’t Snowe wait til Lepage’s term was done?
I can see Baldacci running but i can not see him winning a election after him being governor, but this is Maine, you never know
Hacks stacking up deep now!
Career hacks who want a federal pension. Great.
Why would Baldy think he could get elected to the senate with his approval numbers so low when he left office?
Give me a chance to vote against Summers!!!
More of the same.
Reminds me of an old tune this triggered. BRING IN THE CLOWNS.!!!!!!
This is amazing. Now that the big gun is out of the picture, look at how many think they have a chance! It would be really funny if Mrs. Snowe decided next week to stay and run again. Then you would see alot of OH CRAP! …………….
what a bunch of dorks. Maine deserves them
speak for yourself. I refuse to giveaway my power by voting for these war criminals.
whaddya say we put these fools down for the count? Make life so miserable for them
they will have to turn to the FBI for spiritual guidance. LOL
It take only 10 people showing up at their political rally to get in their face, picket their homes, picket their place of business.
Give them some of the misery they give.
In October of 2010 I had a chance to interview Diane Wilson, a shrimp fisherwoman from the Gulf
area of Texas. She poured oil over her head standing behind the President of British Petroleum
as he was testifying before Congress.
see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRHxaW8uW_E
To all here who are completely disgusted at the potential
reality of any of these politicians I ask what type of person would you
encourage to run instead?
In my opinion a candidate would of course, need to be
completely removed from the political trash we know so well. S/he would need
Common Sense over resume and a commitment to the core values we instinctively
know and covet as the American spirit. This candidate will honestly tell us
what s/he intends to do and then prove s/he can walk the talk by previously
demonstrated behavior and discipline. S/he knows and loves the Constitution of
the United States of America
with his or her every passionate heartbeat.
Somewhere in the state there possibly is a young war vet,
reading this with experience in comparative governmental structures. If you hear us your country is calling you, again, to defend us
against tyrannical abuses of power in our very own government.
for the uneducated and the uneducable
high school dropout can’t find work so he joins the Marines to Semper Fi
and collect some money.
High school dropout is sent to Paris Island to be all he can be. He is trained to kill women and children and a occasional freedom fighter trying to protect his wife from being raped by Mr Semper Fi.
High school dropout ships out to invade Iraq for USEmpire and US oil companies.
American oil companies are struggling with the problem of Peak Oil.
Peak oil means we no longer have a infinite supply of oil.Maybe you saw the documentary film END OF SUBURBIA see
http://www.endofsuburbia.com/previews.htm
high school drop out didn’t because his high school teachers were too busy DUMBING him down
see
http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/bookstore/dumbdnblum1.htm
High School dropout manages to kill a couple hundred women and children while throwing in a occasional rape. Mr Sempi Fi has now been transformed into Mr serial killer.
Mr high school dropout/serial killer now begins to experience extreme depression from his actions. Mental Wealth workers call it Post Traumatic
Stress Syndrome. But the only people who experience traumatic stress in Iraq are the Iraqi women being raped by Semper Fi’s before they shot and killed them.
Good thing serial killer/high school dropout has never read the research
of Ian Stevenson MD whose groundbreaking study of 3,000 children who remember previous lives provides the science for the existence of reincarnation. see
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1542356/Professor-Ian-Stevenson.html
What this means for high school dropout is that he will be coming back
again for another life . Of course so will the people he murdered , so for practical purposes he has another couple hundred lives he has to live getting “wacked” by the life forms he semper fi’d.
The difference this time is the raped and murdered have had some time to ponder while they wait for him to pass over, how they will “do” Mr Semper Fi- the high school drop out serial killer.
Mr high school dropout comes back from Iraq out of work unless he re-enlists. There are not to many job openings for serial killers until he lands a job working with his be all you can be buddies at the local police department or the FBI.
PLEASE!!! Consider and talk about any of the other possible candidates but DON’T let baldy Baldacci back into any political office!! Haven’t we had enough of his stupidity? Baldacci in a race for anything will GUARANTEE my vote for any opponent he runs against! Including the primaries.
Its funny how all of these potential suitors to her seat take forever and a day to do ANYTHING constructive but they manage to line all their ducks up in a row in less than 24 hours to better THEMSELVES by becoming a US Senator. NONE OF THEM SHOULD BE ELECTED! We need fresh blood in Washington not the same old useless politicians.
I am happy to see Mike Michaud enter this race. As for Pingree, as long as she sits in the pro national park camp, she will not get the votes she is hoping for. She should have plenty of campaign funds between the ones she married into and the ones from Roxanne Quimby.
Two things common to all these candidates.
1. They are all proctologists.
2. They love to give voters and taxpayers Tourettes Syndrome, eh?
What was Ms Snowe’s net worth going into the US Senate and what is it as she runs out the back door?And pleaaaase none of this between 9 and 24 milion lets hear the real numbers.
I suspect the tough talking OWS resurrection leaders will have those numbers come summer.LOL
thats all we need is to have anyone of these jokers representing the state of maine.
Cary Weston for U.S. Senate
It is a good thing to see Snow go…Snow jumps party lines
too often…It will be a gamble to seat another republican but it can be
done…Good ridden’s to The Snow woman from Maine…I am an Independent from
Maine and unequivocally happy to see the Snow woman be gone…
Republicans have painted themselves into such a tight corner with such extreme policies that appeal to such a small sliver of the electorate, I wonder whether they are costing themselves years of minority status, despite Super Pac lucre from Koch brothers, Adelson, et al. And maybe the Maine Senate election is a sign of this if Pingree or King wins, in that this will be first election in years, anywhere in the U.S., that a replacement is more liberal than the person being replaced.
OMG….”bankruptin’ Balducci ” HELL no !!!
Just imagine him with the Republican’s credit card ??
Yikkes !!!
Well the latest poll has Ron Paul beating Obama.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/ron-paul-defeats-obama-head-head-polling