When Sen. Olympia Snowe announced in February that she wouldn’t seek another term in the U.S. Senate, she lamented an “atmosphere of polarization and ‘my way or the highway’ ideologies” that have “become pervasive in campaigns and in our governing institutions.”
The Bangor Daily News this week asked the six Republicans and the four Democrats seeking to replace Snowe about overcoming partisan gridlock and working with the other party.
The Republicans were asked during a televised forum Monday the BDN co-sponsored with WCSH 6. The Democrats were asked by phone.
Democrats
Cynthia Dill, state senator
I’m always open to compromise and working with the other party. I don’t think anything I’ve ever said or done indicates I’m not.
There is gridlock in Washington, but the responsibility is not shared equally among Republicans and Democrats. I think there’s a band of very obstructionist, extremist Republicans in Washington who have made it their life’s work to make sure President Obama isn’t re-elected.
We need more Democrats who are going to vote for laws that move the country forward.
Matt Dunlap, former secretary of state
I think all of us have a pretty strong record of not just working with the Republicans, but also factions within our own parties. That is work that has to take place not just on the floor of the Senate but also on committees and within caucuses.
The thing that you have to keep in mind through the entire process is, are you getting what you need in that compromise? I almost never got everything I wanted in the Legislature, but I was able to extract something for my constituents that I believed in.
Jon Hinck, state representative
I would point to my track record. When I co-chaired the Energy and Utilities Committee in the Maine Legislature, we had more than 95 percent unanimous reports over two years. All of those required give and take.
There are a core set of principles that I can’t compromise on. It seems to me it’s totally inappropriate for somebody to go into the United States Senate and compromise away someone’s rights. [But] I recognize if you’re going to move forward, you’ve got to work together and it means not always getting exactly what you would like.
Benjamin Pollard, construction company owner
In general, I’m open to compromise in all areas of public policy. I’d say the most critical issue of disagreement today is the issue of strategies for reducing the federal budget deficit, and I would be open to significant spending cuts.
I would never compromise on any area of public policy where I would be voting against what my conscience tells me is right. I’m less open to compromise personally on issues affecting our natural resources and providing for those most in need in our society.
Republicans
Rick Bennett, former state Senate president
In the election of 2000 in Maine, we ended up with a tied Senate: 17 Republicans, 17 Democrats, one independent.
What we did in Maine on my leadership [as Senate president] was going to the Democrats, going to the independents, and saying, “Let’s try to make function out of chaos. Let’s try to work together and figure a new way of doing business that empowers everybody and enables everybody’s voice to be heard.”
We shared the committee chairmanships, we shared the various accoutrements of power in the state Senate. We let everybody’s voice be heard, even though we still maintained a lot of great differences.
Scott D’Amboise, small-business owner
This isn’t a Republican problem or a Democratic problem, it’s a United States problem. It goes both ways, but the problem can be solved very simple. That’s by following the Constitution. We have a road map on how to govern, whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican. If you just follow what is put forth in the constitution, we’ll be able to solve the problems.
Debra Plowman, state Senate assistant majority leader
You can’t take the jabs personally. You walk out of the room, and you have a relationship with the people that you’re working with. It’s essential that you have a relationship, but you don’t have to compromise your principles.
You have to realize when you’ve gotten all that you’re going to get, then it’s time to take it to the floor. But you do it and you do it every single day without quitting and without walking away, because that’s not an option.
If it means you have to leave your corner and come out to the middle and take on the controversy, you absolutely have to do it.
Bruce Poliquin, state treasurer
When it comes to compromise, I look at it more as being passionate and convincing people to join your side. During the pension fund debate last year with Gov. [Paul] LePage, I was the point person for six months, and I spent that amount of time talking one-on-one with legislators, testifying before the Appropriations Committee, talking to editorial boards, talking to civic groups around the state.
The goal was to convince as many people on the other side that this was a commonsense solution to eliminate $1.7 billion of our pension debt, and it was based on fact and logic and it helped create a more secure pension system. So when we’re looking at the next United States senator, I think we need someone who doesn’t look at that as partisan, but looks at it as leadership, passionate leadership to make sure we get enough people on both sides to solve the problem.
Bill Schneider, attorney general
My brand of leadership is not a brand of leadership that involves yelling and screaming and butting heads. My kind of leadership brings people together for a common purpose.
I would convince people what’s good for the country and bring them together to craft a solution to that. I don’t think that drawing partisan lines and pushing the two sides off to their respective corners is productive. I think working with everybody and trying to craft a solution that’s best for the United States and best for the state of Maine is definitely the way to go.
Charlie Summers, secretary of state
We have to be able to lean forward, do what is right and I believe I have that experience, certainly in my experience in the state Senate, when we had workers’ compensation costs driving jobs and businesses out of the state of Maine.
There were 13 of us that took a very hard stand and then brought the Democrats, who were in the majority at the time, to get workers’ compensation reform. We shut the state government down for 17 days. It was a tough time, but we did the right thing and we moved the state forward.
Charlie! It wasn’t a trick question. They actually wanted to hear you say how you would compromise and meet in the middle, not to hear what calibre gun you’d hold to the other side’s head.
I worked for a guy like this once: he used to say “Teamwork is a bunch of people doing what I say.” We’d have to remind him that it’s supposed to be a joke.
compromise has put this country on it’s knees. I’ll rub your back if you rub mine is the only way to pass bad laws presented by both sides…
One wants to steer left all the time, the other wants to steer right the whole time, so it’s better to wreck the ship than navigate it? Sorry, but I hire the crew to operate the ship safely for all of us, especially us passengers.
I just hope Cynthia wins the primary… there definately is a hard core 20% on the left who will love her and follow her over the cliff for ideological progressive purity purposes. Angus is a the true Democratic candidate. As long as it isn’t Poliquin, Republican should stand a fairly good shot against Angus with Cynthia going to the left.
I think Angus will have a good shot, because the nuttiest part of both bases will ensure their candidate is an obstructionist extremist. I think most people are sick of it, Angus will get elected, and the “smart people in the room” of both parties will wonder what happened.
There is a lot of truth to this statement. The same way LePage got elected. The independent “spoiler” will frigg up the Dems every time.
Well it certianly sounds like Dill isn’t going to compromise.
Sounds like she’d compromise…if the Rs were so mean. The solution isn’t compromise; the solution is elect more Ds! Who knew.
She’s absolutely, right, though. She is saying that she will compromise with lawmakers who are there to work for the good of the country, but isn’t going to patronize the Radical Teapublicans whose ONLY concern is trying to prevent Obama from being re-elected…at ANY cost…including the US credit rating, reputation in the world, emergency assistance for the devastated states flooded by Irene, etc. It was actually refreshing for one of them to give a genuinely HONEST answer and not just saying what they think their supporters would want them to say.
OMG wench, will you please be done with us and move on to the next realm already….your unjust, monarchical references brings one back to the ugly days where American patriots left their farm chores to their neighbors and took up arms against the tyranical regime of King George….
What is with you “progressives” who so longingly espouse a desire for collective devolution to autocratic rule?
What did that poster ever say about a monarchy? Where do you get this nonsense? Talk about wanting a monarchy? There is the TeaPublican plan for you. Rather, a corporate oligarchy is probably more accurate. The TeaPublicans despise the very idea of a thriving middle class, can not stand workers and workers’ rights, loathe the poor, and dance and cheer every time a billionaire gets another job killing tax cut that they can hide in the Cayman Islands. They want to make sure everything is owned by the 1% rich and the 99% of the rest of the country can just be nice little sheep. It is absolutely sickening, completely unAmerican, and completely anti-Christian. But that is today’s right wing for you.
Mass Hysteria, propogated with distorted lies all across American Air Waves!
They would have done this years earlier but they waited until the vast Majority of ww ll Veterans had expired.
They saw first hand the results of it and would not have stood for it.
My Father and Uncles would turn over in their graves to see what is going on today!
The Tea Party Revoloution ‘
Now it’s blame your neighbors, and take up arms against THENM.
What in the h*ll are you on about jtc etc.? Complete nonsense as in “no sense”. Hung over or high?
Whether you like it or not there are others out here who agree with jtc_dot_827’s opinion as expressed on this matter but I suspect you may never comprehend the full sense of it.
Oh well…..
Rest assured, anewvoice, I “comprehend the full sense of it”. However, if you would abandon your partisan beer goggles and address the actual statement that jtc etc. posted you might “comprehend the full NONsense of it”. Oh well indeed!
Been there, done that once…but feel free to re-read it yourself!
No, she is saying that we need to elect more democrats for her to compromise, hardly a compromise. There are as many extremist liberals as there are conservative republicans which is what creates the gridlock. Dill is one of those in my opinion.
I actually admire her honesty, too, because she says what she’s believes. Interesting how many support a D’s use of the same tactics they revile so publicly.
Obama
2012
Full Democratic Ticket,
Put the “We” back into
Yes “WE” Can!
Let the rest of these dimwits blame and point at the sick, lame, and lazy
Instead of the Messed up, and Crazy!
That is not a solution that is a disaster
The TeaRadicals’ rallying cry is DO NOT COMPROMISE, and it is DISGUSTING and a total slap in our Constitution’s face. The founders could never even have gotten that Constitution done without compromise, and one hell of a lot of it. These TeaFools were willing to let us go into national default over their totally radical call last summer to not compromise on the debt ceiling, something that R’s from Reagan to Bush raised multiple times without any issue to pay the nation’s debts. The TeaPublicans are the worst kind of radicals and must be defeated. In Maine, come November, they will be. That is what happens when you allow your party to be taken over lock stock and barrel by the ultra corporate right wing, ALEC, Heritage Foundation, Rush Limpmind, and FAKE NEWS.
Go gettem Tinserblic!
I assume you believe that American colonists should have compromised with King George instead of dumping tea, is that correct? Imagine how much better we would be if we were still ruled by English royalty!
We wait for your capitalized anger and unabashed hatred of Independence with baited breath…but don’t be surprised if you don’t get any rebuttal replies.
I am going enhance the point with some factual history about the Boston Tea Party. Even with the tax that was on the tea, the price was so greatly reduced that the tea was no more costly than before tax, in fact it was actually cheaper. The event wasn’t about how much people were paying for the tea, but the principle that they had no say whatsoever about the tax. We saw this with our own State Government prior to 2010, the long time Democrat controlled Legislature just past any law they wanted regardless of the welfare of the State or the will of the people. It suppressed the opportunity for fellow legislator to speak on the basis of their party affiliation. People can attack the tea party Republicans all they want, but consider why and how they were put into office and be thankful for this system of government for the right in choosing our leaders.
Enough is enough. It was Barack Obama, not members of the Tea Party, who proclaimed that “Republicans are welcome to come with us, as long as they ride in the back seat.” Compromise to a lib means “you lose, so you do it my way”. The Democrats in Congress have been so willing to compromise that they’ve not passed a budget in three years! Harry Reid has compromised by refusing to bring countless bills to the floor of the Senate, rather than have a vote. The Democrats had a super-majority in Congress from 2008 to the election of Scott Brown to take Ted Kennedy’s seat, yet failed to pass legislation that Republicans COULD NOT STOP. You libs can’t compete on the field of ideas, so you revert to name-calling and making fun of people who have the same freedom of speech and right to assemble as you and the Occupy Wall Street crowd. At least the Tea Party never did $7 million worth of damage to property like the protesters in Wisconsin did in the state capitol. No member of the Tea Party ever defecated on a police car. No Tea Party rally ever resulted in the rape of young women, as was the case with OWS. Don’t talk to me about how intelligent all of you are- your ignorance is on full display every time you call one of your fellow Americans “TeaFools”.
….
I cant agree with you more!
Beautifully said…
Tea Party members/supporters are people like me that have never been rich and never will be, but are people that have worked for everything they have, and are sick and tired of seeing their tax dollars being squandered on people and programs that have no end in sight for people that truly can work, but find it economically advantageous to not do so. There is nothing wrong with safety nets for all who need them when truly in a time of need, or in some cases where people are handicapped. But this system has been scammed to death, and the Dems continue to make people more and more subservient to their party by creating and maintaining an environment that provides for an ever increasing amount of recipients due to the unfriendly business environment they have created by making it all but impossible to make a god forbid “profit”, for which companies have cut and run for overseas destinations to make their product, hence, no new private sector jobs. The more people the Dems can control, the easier it is for them to “move forward”. Flame away, I know I’m delusional and it’s all in my head. The same problem with the people in the former Soviet Union that didn’t agree with “The Party”.
Very well said
Yea and the D’s and radicals do it so well. Look at the mess the Federal Gov. is in now. Look a the prices now, look at the deficit, and before you start on Bush again I see we are still in Afghanistan and Iraq, not too mention the other messes Obama is getting us into.
Profuse name calling is a good sign of a very concerned liberal. Good to see you represent your side to a tee.
more TinserPOOP.
Honestly tinserblic, you are in the minority and as long as name calling and childish accusations are part of yours and democrats persona, plan on staying in the minority.
“We need more Democrats who are going to vote for laws that move the country forward”. Pretty scary thought on what “laws” Cindy has in mind that would stifle any lawmaker not in lock step with the liberal machine. And I suppose Reid, Polosi, Gillibrand, Shumer, Merkley, Durbin, Boxer, Harkin , don’t count as “extremist left wing obstructionists” when it comes to standing in the way of the Republican agenda. I’d say both sides are well represented. After all Cindy, Your side has the majority in the senate already. What more do you want? All branches of the government? I’m sure you do.
It certainly looks like Poliquin is not about the compromise. He “follows” his principles which tells me too hell with what his constituents think!
She certainly likes to display those expensive pearls though…have to admit, the 1 percent dresses well!
Would someone please tell D’amboise the constitution is out of date.
Time to move forward.
Well, much of the constitution is open to interpretation, too…and the only one I think was actually being honest out of them all in these statements is Dill. She’s absolutely right about the extremist Republicans that are NOT doing their jobs in Washington because all t hey want is to try to prevent Obama from accomplishing anything…even if it means harming our country.
“Well, much of the constitution is open to interpretation, too”
Really Wenchy?
Would you care to site the article and section of the constitution that explains the process of “interpreting” what is stated in plain english?
I have already “sighted” it, several times. I don’t feel like “citing” it tonight, though. Even if I prove that I am right (which I am, of course) you still will adhere to your Teapublican ideals.
LOL….site vs. cite…..a true “progressive” indeed!!
of course, you STILL cannot “cite” the article providing the federal government some imaginary power your toddler-level mind conjured up last evening.
Actually…”site” is entirely different from “sight” and “cite.”
site: a place (web site, work site, construction site, site of entry of a bullet, etc.)
sight: something you see (sight seeing, a sight for sore eyes, eyesight.)
cite: to reference to something else (cite a source, citation, etc.)
Keep questioning my intelligence, bonehead…and get yourself a dictionary.
Maybe you should think about that.
Dude, you’re trying to knock someone and claim they’re unintelligent and yet you don’t even know the difference between site and cite. Talk about irony!
Dude, I hope you’re not talking to me! Cite is the proper word for the above post. I don’t have a college degree but , I know that.
They are talking to jtc_dot_827 who meant to say “cite,” but first typed “sight.” When I sarcastically poked fun of the mistake he used “site” instead of “cite.”
My humble apology.
Tell me which part of the Constitution specifically grants the right to semi-automatic weapons and declares that corporations are permitted to have 1st amendment rights.
Oh wait, I guess you have no argument. Obviously the Constitution is up for interpretation. Has been since Marbury v. Madison in 1803.
The 14th amendment SPECIFICALLY grants each corporation the right to be treated as a citizen of the united states, as corporations are defined as ‘persons’ dating back centuries in legal precedent.
“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”…..I take the term “arms” to mean all means of weaponry that can be utilized for personal defense…”Infringed” means what it means….telling me what I can and cannot use to defend my person and my private property is nothing but tyranny.
….too funny, M&M ’03 gets creamed every now and then, you’re probably just too “trained” and “educated” to observe it!
Wrong. It was interpreted to include corporations. You said the Constitution isn’t up for interpretation. It absolutely is.
So see, you’re holding others to a higher standard than you hold your argument to. The Constitution makes no specific mention of semi-automatic weapons or corporate personhood.
“Well, much of the constitution is open to interpretation, too”
Really Wenchy?
Would you care to site the article and section of the constitution
that explains the process of “interpreting” what is stated in plain
english?”
You should probably apologize to “Wenchy” now.
What makes you think our current SCOTUS would care about the document they are sworn to uphold?And the 2nd amendment was written in a time of flintlocks when people actually had to obtain their own meat.No more.These clowns who think they’re John Wayne are actually John Candy.
“I think there’s a band of very obstructionist, extremist Republicans in Washington who have made it their life’s work to make sure President Obama isn’t re-elected.”
This is a quote from Cynthia Dill and it is your opinion that there are no such beasts on the left and that all the left wants to do is work together to move this country forward? Surely you cannot be serious. Cynthia Dill came right out and said she would not comromise – read her last sentence. You trying to defend her makes me think you are not as smart as you are telling everyone you are.
Of course there are such beasts on the left…but the Democratic party is smart enough NOT to let the extremist whack jobs influence and ultimately gain control of their party. The Republican Party is firmly in the hands of the Tea Party, hence my usage of the term “Teapublicans.”
I said that Dill is the only one that I believe was actually being HONEST. She knows the Teapublicans are not rational or willing to do their jobs and compromise and she said so. That is the truth and anyone who doesn’t realize that hasn’t been paying attention.
Where have you been. The Dems have been controlled by whack jobs for years now.
Your claim is patently false. As an Independent I have no use for the radical kooks on EITHER side of the political fence. I have always voted for the most moderate candidate. One of the most oft-repeated mantras of the Republicans over the years has been that the left is “moving so far left they’re going to go off the cliff.” Well, the Tea Party moved so far right that they DID fall off the cliff, and they took the entire Republican Party right with them…hence my usage of “Teapublican.” Although the Dems have come close a few times, they have NEVER embraced the radicals to this extent, let alone co-opt their crazy like the Teapublicans have done.
You say you have “no use for radical kooks on EITHER side” and yet you posted a comment earlier saying you would support Cynthia Dill who is one of the most liberal politicians ever to hit Augusta. It is quite obvious from her statement above that she is as unwilling to compromise as your so-called “Teapublicans.” Cynthia Dill is a party-line Dem; she will vote as instructed by party leaders.
Let me make myself quite clear….just as I don’t support compromising with terrorists I also do not support compromising with radical extreme right wing nutbags that drink WAY too much tea. There is nothing radical about not giving whack jobs any influence or power. In fact, it’s the wisest choice NOT to give them an inch.
LOL…protecting human liberty is out of date?
so you support slavery, I presume?
you fruitcake slavery-proponents are a hoot!
Um, the original Constitution supported slavery. It was out of date and we had to amend it.
LMAO….and the “amendment” process did what?
Oh, let’s see, it granted hundreds of thousands of African American slaves their freedom and human liberty…
you honestly think the slaves would have achieved freedom if the American revolution had never occured and the patriots of this great nation would not have established an amendable constitution rooted in liberty?
You’re saying King George, and his lineage would have freed the slaves?
LOL….That’s a pretty lame argument!
You see, the constitution allowed the amendment process to free the slaves outright, as they would NOT have been under continued monarchical rule and the rampant slave trade of the 19th century.
King George? No. But Parliament did thirty years before Lincoln…..and without an amendment to their non existent constitution.
For the love of whatever god you choose, jtc etc., please stop LOLing and LMOAing. You opinions are juvenile enough.
Take a GOOD look—- England HAD freed the Slaves and the American Buisnessmen wanted NO part of that!
They still don’t today!
LOL, so the Republicans said no. “I’ll convince them to join my side.” Yeah, okay.
Compromise fetishists are under the impression that the GOP hasn’t fallen off the deep end in the last few years. Meeting crazy halfway compromises nothing but your ideals. One of Obama’s biggest blunders was assuming he could deal rationally with those who’s only rationale for dealing with him was to ensure his defeat this year. He’d have been better served with less Mr. Rodgers, more LBJ (not the guy from South Beach).
D’s have given up everything for no benefit to the country or their constituents.It’s hard to believe even hard right R’s like Hatch are being targeted and that a creep like Santorum would get anything from the national media except the ridicule he deserves.
Poliquin doesn’t have a clue how to compromise. Still shamelessly trying to attach himself to the Gov. He has no integrity – which Maine and this country desparately needs.
Integrity imlples adhering to a set of principles….what set of principles would you have our politicians adhere to?
You have a point. What set of principles does Bruce adhere to, and what set of principles does the public expect from its elected officials. One principle I can think of is an elected official isstraightforward and honest with the electorate. This is one principle that Bruce doesn’t seem to adhere to.
The $300,000+ price tag for low-income apartments Bruce keeps telling he shot down as a member of the Maine Housing Board; he had nothing to do with it. The contractor came in with the initial proposal of $314,000+ per unit and the Executive Director Dale McCormick told them to go sharpen their pencils (lower the costs). Bruce wasn’t even involved in the decision, yet he paints himself as this fiscal warrior out to rein in the “out of control” spending at Maine State Housing.
Legally acquired emails released a couple of weeks ago reveal he conspired with Peter Anastos – another MSHA board member, and Lance Dutson with Maine Heritage Policy Center to engage in a public smear campaign to “boot Dale out”. A few days later, Bruce writes in an op-ed piece and says he did not engage in a smear campaign – or witch hunt – and his actions on the Board were to save the taxpayers’ money. Yet, anyone who’s read the emails can tell a smear campaign was exactly what he was doing.
Bruce’s inability to be accountable for himself and his actions is glaringly obvious. This man has no sense of shame and no business representing the State of Maine in the U.S. Senate.
WOW!
Try the Maine Constitution!
The Secretary of State is not allowed to engage in commerce while in office!
Thats a good one for the Poliquin to follow!
That he Didn’t!
Next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Compromise leads to the never land of flat lined expectations which we will toe……Understood?
Compromise?
I think it’s a waste of print to talk about compromise.
Talk about the issues, about personal fiscal responsibility and about holding the criminals in the banking system responsible for their criminal acts.
Talk about illegal wars and our own crooked government sending thousands of machine guns to the Mexican drug cartels in exchange for drugs, and then selling those drugs in the U.S.
Talk about trillions in illegal bailouts and tips to Wall Street being made by the Treasury Department’s Tim Geithner. And talk about jail time for Hank Paulson.
Our own government is being run by criminals, has been for years. And BDN wants to ask our Senate candidates about compromise?
We’re to appreciate those who would compromise with the criminals who have brought this country to its knees?
GET A LIFE!
I have decided that it would be a bad idea to compromise with those who continue to cling to the idea that borrowing and spending more money is the way out of the mess created by borrowing and spending more money. Last time I checked our beloved members of the Left had perfected the art to the point of fiscal insanity. Margaret Thatcher was quite right–socialism lasts only as long as the other person’s money.
History 101, Socialism is when the Government owns the means of production.
Our constitution was set up as comprimise between capitalism and socialism, Public rds and post offices , Army Navy, and the power of congress to regulate commerce, and power to coin money, all government owned. Capitalism on the other hand was to be private property rights with the right of the Government to intersead with regulatory powers to diminish the excess as the powers that be without proper constraint that had the ability to become a tyranical power all in itself.
That is what is happening tody. Money, which was merely inteaded to be the medium of exchange has become the new Tyrannical Power in America, the air waves, the weapon of that power, today is bombarding us with distorted news and ideas that take hold from repetative like minded propoganda sources, one only needs a course in education, psycology or to reflect to the learning years in grammar school where the standard in education is to summarise the previous years learning again in the first semester.
Right from the horses mouth, George Bush even said it in addressing Tort Reform that the Idea had to be repeated over and over to be absorbed, thus convincing millions of Americans for the need to reduce the rights of Americans to compensation of damages.
America is Far from Socialism, that is a falsehood propogaded by those who like to see a TOTAL ownership and or control of the States by those who lust for power, money and control.
That IS the very Enemy that our Founding Fathers sought to escape, although in some instances that the very enemy was contained and locked within us in the Lust of Power and Money .
Make NO mistake, the Republican Political Machine seeks to unleash that power contained within, upon the American Citizens, pitting neighbor against neighbor, as they sit back and reap the harvest!
Again right from the Horses Mouth——
Wisconsin USA ——30 million dollars in ads to support—- {Divide and Conquer}
Your theory of conservative fiscal credibility is nullified by financial market degregulation, unfunded wars and their accompanied tax cuts for the wealthy. The current economic mess was caused by conservative economic policies. Don’t you forget it.
Compromise is how bad laws are passed…
The only way to pass bad ideas is to compromise. I’ll vote for your bad idea if you vote for mine.
STUPID!!!!
Thanks so much for admitting that you hate the U.S. Constitution. Thanks for making that so clear. The very document you people often say you love is that which you actually hate because it would never have been created at all without a tremendous amount of compromise. Thanks again so much for being honest and admitting how much you TeaPublicans hate the U.S. Constitution and how “STUPID!!!!” you think it is.
If either party had a good idea, why wouldn’t it pass on it’s own merits, There is no need to compromise a good idea. is there?
Politicans need to humble themselves, they represent the people. humility is the first step to being a great politican.
Check out Poloquin’s version of compromise. Sure, I will compromise as long as that means you do what I want.
I feel most of them will not compromise. It does not seem like we get statesmen running for the good of the people, but peope who want their way or nothing. We do not get democracy, where the will of the voters are heeded, but just lip service until they get into office, then they start on their agenda. the tea Partiest I have talked to seem the worst, willing to delay or stop anyting ntli they get their way.
We have a junior high school atmosphere in Congress, with no adults to steer it the right way.
Dill’s rhythmic and lyrical rejoinder appears to offer progressive constituent an ecstatic release from the mundane gaggle of floundering Democratic and Independent hopefuls. Whispering to those who pass by, she implores with smooth flattery that her ways will lead to prosperity and satisfaction. She staggers down a crooked path wafting the stench of decay and demise… and those whom she beguiles will be left with a bitter conscience in the end.
We are all, no doubt, impressed that the creative writing class is going so well for you Quequeeg. Next semester, might I suggest a course in either political science or, better yet, logic?
Of course, if you’re jealous you could sign up for a creative writing course…or maybe a course in Latin for help with multi-syllabic words as well as…….. logic.
Me? I’ll rely on common sense and plain English, American style.
You are a new voice, anewvoice, but you are already tiresome. You have mistaken an admittedly sarcastic observation about a ludicrously florid prose style with an unfamiliarity with polysyllabic verbiage. To quote your doppelganger, jtc etc., “LOL”. Take a look at my sentences. “Multi-syllabic” enough for you? Your sense is certainly common, your English is unquestionably plain. And yes, sadly, you do represent the new “American style”-dumb and dumber.
If you’re inferring that my style is non-Ivory Tower I will take your observation as high praise and happily join the multitude of Americans who reflect the common spirit of an unassuming, understated decent America. Thank you! Have a terrific day!
Wanting more democrats is not compromise so Cynthia Dill is out. Matt
Dunlap fights to extract something for his constituents in every fight
which is not compromise so he is out. John Hinck seems reasonable.
Benjamin Pollard basically said he is not open to compromise so he is
out. Rick Bennett has a track record of compromise so he is
reasonable. Scott D’Amboise has basically said he will not compromise. Debra Plowman says she will but I am not aware of her track record to prove that she will. Bruce Poliquin will but his interest is to win every battle rather than to back off and wait until enough support is there. He would fit right in in Washington and be as partisan as the next guy. Bill Schneider is definitely a reasonable person willing to listen to both sides. Charlie Summers is the same as Poliquin.
I hope democrats put Hinck on the ballot and hope that republicans put Rick Bennett or Bill Schneider on the ballot. Any of the three will be a good choice for Maine.
Plowmans record shows shes locked in step with the Republican agenda. That is why she is running for the Senate position. A good solid track record, take no prisioners….see I am a loyal republican, now support me and send me your checks lady. That is 50% of the reason O Snow relinquished the representatiion of all mainers. Debra will step in and finish what O could not have the heart to continue, which is the destruction of America.
And she wants to start a militia to protect us from the government she wants to be a part of!
http://youtu.be/llLmRwqPzk0
Cynthia Dill’s attitude:
~”I think there’s a band of very obstructionist, extremist Republicans in Washington who have made it their life’s work to make sure President Obama isn’t re-elected.We need more Democrats who are going to vote for laws that move the country forward.”~
Without realizing it, Dill is promoting MORE gridlock and even less compromise with her opinion of “a band of obstructionist, extremist Republicans.”
If Dill believes at all in true democracy, she might have better stated “a band of obstructionist, extremist Republicans AND DEMOCRATS.”
Unless Dill ultimately favors the concept of a one party system, why wouldn’t she have said something like “we need more PEOPLE in Congress who are willing to compromise”, instead of we just simply “need more Democrats”? Big RED FLAG, indicating a continuation of the inability of Congress to operate efficiently.
Dill has never displayed one bit of compromise in Augusta. She is a committed liberal’s liberal in every sense and would just love to see our country go to a single party system (her party) as would others hear on this board. The D’s are in trouble and they know it. That is one reason why they are so vocal, angry, and insultive toward anything that resembles “R”. Unfortunately this state will always be a hardcore liberal state.
She called it like it is!
Comprimise Takes BOTH sides!
With out One you have none!
If they dont want to give “voters” do!
D’Amboise needs to read the Constitution that he keeps talking about. Article 1. Section 5. reads:
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its
Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two
thirds, expel a Member.
And one has to love Poliquin’s attitude on compromise: I’ll passionately yell at you until you do all the compromising.
Lets take money from Quimby and put northern Maine out of work! Nice work Dill.
Responding to AntiWhine: Obama is toast! His brand of politics is toast! Move on.
Not sure I understand your reply. Where in my post did I mention Obama, or imply that I liked his “brand of politics”?
Every single one of these folks are brand P-O-L-I-T-I-C-I-A-N-S. They speak out of both sides of their mouths. They play the party line and will do anything to get elected. They have an agenda and it is not for the Maine people or the American people. They are not going to represent us. They will not follow the founders principles. They are going in with their big ego’s to make their ego’s even bigger. One only needs look at “I’m going to fly coach Chellie Pingree”…. now comes the private jet…the billionaire husband, the bought and paid for Maine Media Today, the $14million mansion.
If you want to be a Congress man or a Senator run as an Independent …like Angus King. No party and no agenda. Just do the right thing for the people….please.
…..and an Angus King-NL (Or I, or whatever he chooses to be known as) candidate is guaranteed to be a better candidate than
XXXXX-XXXXXXX-D or
XXXXX-XXXXXXX-R
Why? Convince us!
If someone is unaffiliated with a party. They have no agenda. They take the oath to the constitution. They owe no one anything. They work for the people who elect them not the unions, not wall street, not the special interests. It’s time to break up the “political click”.
The founding fathers in the declaration said it most eloquently ” That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends,
it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to
institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and
organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to
effect their Safety and Happiness.” It is time for ordinary and average, independent American citizens to take their rightful place as representatives of the people to preserve the freedoms that so many veterans died to save and to eliminate the mountain of debt that our kids will inherit. These Americans won’t compromise the on founding principles.
I agree with the context of your reply.
However announcing yourself as whatever you choose to announce yourself as be it D,R,I,S,NL, GR, L or anything else does not convince voters that the candidate truly represents the identification or that s/he understands the identification as others do or the depth of commitment that s/he has committed to. Then too, the candidate’s personal limitations and demonstrated record need to be examined.
These thread comments reveal all sorts of opinion ranging from knee-jerk emotional impulse to the well-informed and factual. After decades of deception why should we trust any of these candidates with our Liberty and Freedom? On a scale of 10-1 would any of them keep any of the promises they want us to believe they will? Does that take more courage than any of them are capable of?
Tuesday is coming way too fast. Who are these people? Forget the sound bites and party affiliations…..candidates, who are you?…..Convince us because we’re sick of betrayal.
You failed to mention, Mr. King’s massive mansion in V.I and how he scored the big grants from the state of Maine with very questionable disclosures.
….
In the spirit of moral equivalence therefore…government is a “person” just like a corporation is a “person”…..correct?
Lets keep spending and spending after all “A country can’t be run like a business”. Your comment is completely ridiculous and typical.
///
‘People can’t be dealt with in a business like manner. We are humans not goods to be inventoried, discounted and sold’. Your comments make no sense at all, you have a very strange way of looking at things. No one is looking at you as goods, inventory and you are not discounted or sold. If you truly feel that way its your problem and you should do something about it.
///
OK OK OK, have it your way, lets not change a thing. Things are going great now why would we change. Your comments are laughable!!
….
Checks and balances, you know like a business. I hope this helps. I will now get a life and move on.
######
For most politicians, “compromise” translates as “do it my way.”
Sen.Snowe is most accurate in describing attitudes of ,”my way or the highway” in DC. This is a People problem along with many elected. This needs to change and will change when the elected find themselves in the average Joe citizen’s shoes. Take away the Perks from the elected and see what happens, Add solid leadership and have a better America as a result. Something has to change and has to change ASAP.
Dill’s first statement is a false statement, in my opinion…”I’m always open to compromise and working with the other party. ” Try working with her in a discussion on Facebook, no compromise, if you post a question or comment she doesn’t like she deletes it and blocks you from any further posting. Don’t know about anyone else, but THAT says a lot to me.
If there is a Republican president it will be “pay back” time for the Democrats.
Finally! A, Rick Bennett supporter, for sure.
As usual, those that are ALLWAYS willing to compromise are far more willing to demonize those that don’t toe their line and do what they want.
That seems to be their style. “if you don’t give me half of my rediculous demands YOU are being devisive and evil.”
Those that will compromise anything have absolutly no moral center.
Why should the politicians “compromise” when the people aren’t willing to do so. The daily hate I read on these pages everyday is proof of that.
I have gotten to know Charlie Summers over the years, he has taken the time to work with small business, even when it wasnt part of his job.
Have any of the candidates taken the time out of their work schedule, and weekends to meet with and mentor small business…?
As far as issues, Charlie wont compromise on:
Defending the 2nd Amendment
Pro life view
Commitment to work with small business
Oppose the Quimby National Park
There isnt a more conservative candidate that will defend these positions as Charlie Summers.
I have gotten to know Charlie Summers over the years,
You wasted your time!
why dont you grace us with the candidate of your choice
Dill=an angry far Left Moon Bat lawyer.
I lean left and I agree!
Chkle!,, Chkle!!
I want to vote for the brightest and most honest person and I wished that, that person didn’t have any former political baggage and owe any political favors. What are my options, none. All the people running have massive political baggage. So much for my wants. Skip the parties, who is the least one, to only have their eyes on raping the tax payer and there is at least one who has, already and voting for their own self worth, as they see it. Since this job has great lifetime benefits associated with it, we need to vote very carefully. Maine is a very precious state and we need someone that will look out for all our interests, not only theirs.
This was a direct question that should have elicited a direct answer. NONE of these candidates was able to do that. Rather,they all responded in such a way as to leave the reader trying to read between the lines – just politispeech crap. It seems i am coining a new word “politispeech.” Let me define it for you- the art of speaking in such a manner as to be elusive and totally non-committal when confronted with a question that might disclose one’s true agenda. If that is what you want for a senator, then pick your poison.
The old saying know your enemy takes on a new meaning during primaries… I like the battles from the inner circles… They could care less about the people. once elected they aren’t heard from until the next election.
To the BDN – this was a really good political exercise! Asking a straight forward question and seeing which candidates beat around the bush, which candidates demonstrate the my-way-or-the- highway attitude, which are a bit too wishy-washy and/or quick to give up without a real debate and which candidates might be willing to consider all sides before drawing any conclusions gives us a little bit of insight into the candidates (maybe). Of course the last type of candidate is still a bit tricky because it’s always difficult to spot the sweet talkers who know all the right things to say but secretly have a my-way-or-the-highway attitude and are just really good and accomplished liars.
I hope that the BDN continues to put forth questions and articles like this on a wide variety of topics so that it’s not just one response to a difficult question but several responses to several difficult questions that might just give some indication about who the candidates really are. Even still… I think we all need to take everything any politician says with a grain of salt! In my observations it seems that a good amount of the time politicians aren’t really writing their own speeches and may not even be writing their own responses to these kinds of questions. Who knows… maybe some of the candidates have brilliant and talented assistants that know exactly what to say… I think we need to keep in mind that candidate may not really be the brains in the bunch! Watch who they surround themselves with, who they rely on and take a look at them too!
Good Job BDN… I liked this article!
Is This Maine Independent the Solution to Our Partisan Woes?
Angus King is the favorite to pick up the open U.S. Senate seat in the state and could become the deciding vote in a closely-divided chamber.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/06/is-this-maine-independent-the-solution-to-our-partisan-woes/258294/
anyone is better than the gop.