With the primary over, let’s take a step back. The results of the U.S. Senate and House races were not too surprising when considering earlier polling data. Voter turnout was low, as predicted. Now the attention turns to November.
Turnout within the parties tells of a lack of enthusiasm — whether for the candidates themselves or the relevance of the offices they’re seeking. The candidates in each race will have to work especially hard in the coming months to energize the largest bloc that didn’t vote on Tuesday: independents.
Here are our thoughts — Twitter style — on how the races are shaping up at the beginning of the general election.
U.S. Senate race
Democrat Cynthia Dill: @dillesquire wins w/45%, sweeps south. Only 17% Democratic turnout. Needs to raise $, get out name & reach moderates. Has biggest climb.
Republican Charlie Summers: @MaineSecOfState wins w/30%, support across state. GOP more energized w/27% turnout. Socially moderate enough to replace Snowe?
Independent Angus King: @AngusKing2012 shadow over primary, comes out swinging w/PAC challenge. No decision on caucus will get old. Must talk issues.
1st District U.S. House race
Republican Jon Courtney: @SenJonCourtney suprises w/close race against newcomer Patrick Calder. Has $17,000 to Pingree’s $210,000. GOP win in the south? Not likely.
Democrat Chellie Pingree: @chelliepingree wouldn’t give up run for U.S. Senate to lose House. Formidable. Has $, name, experience.
2nd District U.S. House race
Republican Kevin Raye: @SenKevinRaye rematch to be close. Has small business owner advantage, political know-how, pro-choice. But why endorse Otten in ’10?
Democrat Mike Michaud: @RepMikeMichaud tough to beat. Better funded, has support of unions. Veterans-focused. How does he stay relevant in GOP House?
Ironic this since none of those candidates are that active on Twitter. Certainly not as active as @DodgeforSenate.
Maybe what they have to say is a bit more comprehensive than twits using 140 characters…?
Please stop using the prefix “independent” before Unenrolled Candidate King’s name, or any other unenrolled candidates. There is no such thing as the “independent party” in Maine. There are three recognized Parties in Maine: Democrat, Republican and Green Independent. If you do not belong to one of those Parties, you are “Unenrolled.” Being Unenrolled does not mean you are necessarily independent, nor does being enrolled in a Party mean you are not Independent (See for example, Margaret Chase Smith, Bill Cohen, George Mitchell, to name a few Independents from Maine).
Independent doesn’t indicate a party. Independent indicates independence.
With respect to the comment on Gov. King, “must take issues”: he is. Deadlock in Washington is an over-riding issue. No other issue will be successfully addressed until the approach to the nation’s work changes. So long as it is defined by faction and driven by ideological combat, the real issues that face us will not define the work that needs to be done. For example, how do we get a robust broadband structure throughout rural Maine? This is not a partisan issue but it is vital to our future as a state and as a people. The issue can not be resolved ideologically. It can be engaged pragmatically and Gov. King’s record shows that he is a passionate pragmatist.