The Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate appears to be a long shot. The Republican candidate has a climb, too.
There are more than four months to go before the November general election, but a poll released Monday shows that if Mainers cast ballots now, Democratic candidate Cynthia Dill, a state senator and civil rights lawyer, would get just 9 percent of the vote.
Republican candidate Charlie Summers, Maine’s secretary of state, got 23 percent support in the poll conducted by the MassINC Polling Group for the Boston public radio station WBUR.
Though only 506 likely voters were polled, independent Angus King, Maine’s former governor, received tremendous 50 percent support. Seventeen percent of those polled were undecided and 1 percent supported other candidates.
While it’s tempting to dismiss candidates based on polling data, it’s important to remember that opinions can change quickly or something unexpected could tip the scales. The poll offers a chance to learn and helps prepare candidates for what they should do next.
The lesson from this poll is that Mainers want a moderate.
Telling of that fact is not just King’s poll numbers but who is supporting him. He was the pick of 60 percent of Democrats, 31 percent of Republicans and 57 percent of independents.
To chip away at King’s starting lead, Dill and Summers will have to appeal to moderates. They are, after all, aiming to replace one: U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, who has an 82 percent favorability rating.
It will be a difficult task for Summers, who supports a woman’s right to an abortion only in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother. And it will be difficult for Dill, who described the National Rifle Association as a special interest.
Focusing on winning moderates will allow Summers and Dill to reach new audiences and gain name recognition, which is currently a problem for them. Of those surveyed, 35 percent had never heard of Dill, and 23 percent had never heard of Summers. Meanwhile, 5 percent had never heard of King.
It will also help them extend their reach beyond their safety zone of southern Maine, which is also a problem for them, though more so for Dill. Summers is from Scarborough, Dill from Cape Elizabeth.
As their campaigns progress, it will be interesting to see whether and how their rhetoric changes and how Mainers respond through polling. Most important will be to see how they appeal to those in the center and explain why it shouldn’t be all about King. They need to win some of his current supporters to have a chance.
60% of Democrats, now does that surprise anyone!
You left out 31% of the Repubs. Does that surprise anyone?
Not really.
Like, are you new to Maine? It’s a liberal state.
Well that is why we want to give Southern Maine back to Massachusetts.
And then do what? What would we do without the economic hub of the state where the majority is employed? The Portland area alone has 1/4 of the state’s population and the highest paying jobs. We’d be a very poor state without them.
But if you’re so intent on isolating yourself, why not go elsewhere? Or are you already in Florida?
Maybe you are right they keep passing just about every referendum to spend more money the state does not have. Poor state, look at our fiscal outlook, and this was well before LePage got in there. Most Liberal part of the State, and what I was stating that the Southern half has become so much like Massachusetts its scarry.
So you want them to support the state economically, but not to have a say in the political process? Come on.
I would have them think before they pass everything on the ballot,.
Well guess what, you get your own vote and that’s it. If you want some other system, you’ll have to try somewhere other than America.
The Democratic National Senatorial Campaign Committee hasn’t officially endorsed King as yet… but they didn’t even bother to congratulate Dill on her primary win.
Juicy gossip!
True though.
THAT is an interesting tidbit.
Put that together with Dill wasn’t invited to the Obama fundraiser last month and instead spent her time across the street with a bunch of OWS people. And the fact that The DNSCC also did not invite her to an “up and coming women” Senatorial function in DC last month. Dill is toast.
Sounds like they think King is *their* boy.
Yes Sir. I think they do.
Is the DNSCC accountable for actions like that or nobody cares? While I agree in some sense that practicality should be a consideration, politics has too little loyalty I believe.
Of course a political party can support or not support candidates as they wish. Even their own. The Democrats really want to prevent the Republicans from gaining control of the Senate. Maine’s open seat is key to that goal. If that means inviting King to the caucus and giving him juicy committee seats so be it.
King did give a large contribution to Obama.
King has indicated that he will not decide which political party he will caucus with until after the elections. If the Maine electorate allows King to get away with this sort of foolishness they will deserve everything they get. King has endorsed Obama in the presidential election. Why can’t he demonstrate the strength of his convictions by declaring who he plans to caucus with? Sad.
I would say it demonstrates the strength of his convictions to not cow down to the doctrines of either party. Being an independant alows him to follow his own conscience instead of having to answer to the political bosses. Besides, Maine has a long history of Independents.
Angus King has no convictions its all about him and his massive ego. He’s Maine’s Boss Hog and J.R. Ewing he is a snake. We all know he is going to caucus with Liberals who the heck is he fooling. Does Angus honestly think we are that dumb. He endorsed Nobama and has contributed to his campaign twice. The fact is Angus King is a fraud. He is not an Independent like Eliot Cutler, Jim Longley Sr. aren’t either. They are all Liberal Democrats who knew they wouldn’t win a Democrat Primary in any election. The fact that Angus wouldn’t run against “over the hill joe” Joe Brennan. When Brennan’s career should have been over about 5 years before the 1994 Governor’s Primary it’s pathetic. If you can’t beat a guy who is way past his prime and isn’t a good politician to begin with. It shows that you shouldn’t be in office in the first place but Libs are smitten with this guy. Well hopefully people won’t fall for his antics this time because his record as Governor is abysmal , pathetic. King’s business background is very questionable as well from his time King and his Wind Power Friends were collecting massive subside from Mainer’s Electric Bills. Also his Wind Power scam which is drawing fire from everyone because of the questionable tactics and business dealings coming from his company. If the rest of the candidates are smart they won’t let Angus get away with anything. He needs to have his record under fire, he needs to explain to the Maine People why he was hurting them. If any candidate does it they could have King bogged down explain the mess he has created.
Well put…
More drivel from the Dark-side
That’s ridiculous…….my word. Paul LePage can effectively eliminate Marden’s responsibility to provide health insurance for it’s employees, and you slam Angus King for his abymal and pathetic tenure as governor? Have you been reading the headlines about LePage??? Now That’s where the word pathetic comes to mind.
Are you saying that Marden’s and presumably all employers have a responsibility to provide health insurance to their employee’s? Obviously, you have no clue about what it is like to own a business in Maine.
What you right wingers want is for no one to have health insurance except your rich corporate croanies to whom you worship like gods. You people and your pathetic brainwashed TeaRadical Party are going to get royally SLAMMED at the voting booth come November. People have had enough of your war on women, and the elderly, and the poor, and workers, and children. You kneel down and smooch the toenails of your corporate masters while they pay half the tax rates YOU pay yourself, destroy our economy, and hide their money in the Cayman Islands. “Job creators”? Ya right. JOB KILLERS is what they are. Summers and his buddy LeBUFFOON are a joke, Angus will win in a landslide, and the Maine TeaFools won’t be able to win an election as dog catcher.
What I’m saying is that Marden’s WAS providing health insurance for it’s employees. LePage directed the effort to limit the benefit’s affordability to higher to highest paid employees (management). Other’s have done this: Burger King; will pay 75% of the insurance premium for it’s manager’s, and only 25% for it’s hourly employees, thereby making it impossible for the hourly employee to maintain insurance, thereby reducing it’s responsibility towards affordable healthcare significantly. (there are more hourly employees than management, obviously) This is what LePage did.
He cant read , Darkcat is in the “Dark”!!!!
Really coming from someone who is living off of our tax dollars and has been drinking the kool-aid and continues on hugging trees for so long. Who is in the dark. I think it’s you that is who is misinformed. Anyone who has lived the pain from Angus King’s awful lack of leadership knows that once he gets to Washington. Everyone should look out because he will be nothing more than a rubber stamp for the Obama-Biden-Pelosi-Reid-Wasserman-Schultz agenda. He isn’t fooling anyone he wouldn’t even run against Joe Brennan for crying out loud in 1994. If you can’t beat Joe Brennan who’s career should have ended after him losing to Mckernan in 1986 who is way past his prime shouldn’t be in politics. Angus is only looking out for Angus and his friends.
Well DC, I hope you don’t let it ruin your supper. I have a feeling you are in for a lot of disappointment this Nov. Sometimes you’re the bug and sometimes the windshield!
The Republican moderate is dead and gone. The party of Lincoln, TR, Ike, Rockefeller, Smith, and Cohen is in the cemetery. It is now the TeaRadicalPubliCONartist Party bought and paid for by ALEC and the Koch Brothers and which lives to destroy the middle class and ship our jobs overseas while they hide there money in the Cayman Islands. We will CRUSH your corporate toadies come November, take back the legislature thus turning LeBUFFOON into the lamest of lame ducks, and Angus, an intelligent and thoughtful moderate, will win in a landslide. “Two-Charlie” Summers is a joke and will be pounded out of sight. I can’t wait to watch the right wingers’ heads explode come election day.
He is just a Democrat in Independent’s clothing.
KING also endorsed W Bush how Republican of you not to mention this in your talking point.
That alone will disqualify him for my vote
King is like the lone drifter in A Fistfull of Dollars, he comes to a Towns with two opposing criminal gangs that have a stranglehold on the Town.. He plays one against the other and walks away with the cash freeing the towns folk in process!
He’s got my vote!
Charlie Summers is like the ghost rider in High Plains Drifter. He will play on the town Folks fears, gaining their trust only to paint the Town Red and invite all the criminal factions to Ravish the Town!
He Doesn’t.
After reading some of these comments, it appears to me that some have forgotten WHY Maine is losing it’s senior senator. Because of vicious and non compromising political gamesmanship and partisan attitudes. It seems to me that some of those commentators don’t understand the need to relieve ourselves of political polarization.
Yep the double cross on health insurance for one.
Top 1% of the top 1% of Congressional personal wealth may be another. Pretty good haul for riding the fence.
I’m confused. The BDN cites Dill’s description of the National Rife Association as a “special interest’ as an example of her lack of moderation. The NRA is a political lobbying group with a special interest in gun rights. Therefore, Dill’s description is accurate unless you want to split hairs, which is to say the NRA may not a “special interest group” as defined by Wikipedia, but rather a “lobbying group.”
Perhaps BDN left out some essential information in Dill’s characterization of the National Rifle Associaton? If not, it should have (and no doubt could have) come up with a better example of Dill’s left-leaning politics.
They are as much of a special interest as labor unions or AARP. I don’t see what the drama is all about.
Crime.
They have a special interest: guns.
The last person we need to send to DC is another liberal tax-and-spender like King.
Summers says he will cut the budget, and knows first-hand where the fat is in the Pentagon.
I believe him.
What is it about $15 trillion in debt that people fail to understand?
Even if what you say is true about Summers wanting to cut the Pentagon’s budget, his party would never allow it. They’re already trying to reneg on the debt ceiling deal and increase Defense spending. That’s one area of the budget that seems nearly impossible to cut, even though it is clearly bloated, especially with Republicans around.
He isn’t going to cut the Pentagon!
Thats a Fantacy !
Silly statement. You have nothing to back it up. I point to Summers’ statements and his experience working with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and yes, I believe him.
I certainly have no reason to believe you, nor does anyone else.
Oh! We Understand it!
And we Know the Lie!
Most of it is the Result Of Republican Policies, and the house of cards economy that they built on Trickle Down Theories!
It came down all right , not a trickle but a deluge like in a waterfall over a cliff into a bottomless pit!
Why in the HECK would anyone actually vote for King that has lived in this State for any length of time? I just don’t get it! Remember………….
506 people were polled. Now that’s a real gauge to go by.
LOL coming from the person who cites far-right blogs and studies that are over 50 years old to prove his points. Too funny.
The NRA is most certainly a special interest group that once called cops “jack booted government thugs” and lives to lobby for gun manufacturers so they can make a lot of money. That said, I own three guns and hunt, and responsible firearms ownership is fine. But we also need sane regulations, many of which the NRA resists at all costs We don’t need to hunt with Uzis and armor piercing ammo. We also need to do all we can to make sure guns aren’t in the hands of criminals are people with serious mental health problems. — There is no room for moderates in the TeaRadicalPubliCon Party. Summers is one of the “Two Charlies” and his utter lies and bullying over the voting rights issue plus the fact that he is a Paul LePage toadie sink him before he starts. Dill is too unknown and not ready for this kind of prime time. Angus will win it by a lot, and it will make the right wingers go ballistic because they will have lost to a true moderate progressive that most Dems and Indies can rally around while the right wingers wallow in the minority.
Good editorial and I agree with the general premises. I do not know Summers’ and Dill’s positions all that well yet, but I think that any candidate should in fairness be looked at in totality, with not one or two positions only being highlighted.
I want to qualify my vote, I think he will win, however, I will not be voting for him. Anyone who is afraid to declare where they stand on right or left is not getting my vote….just saying
I would think t would take more courage to take a stand on each individual issue than it would to stand on either parties prepackaged line. Whether you agree with him or not, he makes no secret about where he stands on the actual issues.
“How to beat Angus King” Really, BDN? Or perhaps this is the first in a multi-part editorial? I eagerly await the “How to beat Cynthia Dill” installment.
Here is my interesting perspective. I am an Independent. Normally I am conservative. I am not for Mr. “RINO” Charlie Summers and I have taken a hard look at Angus King. Now Angus is intelligent but he also blows with the political winds from time to time. He is for President Obama and that is a “no-go” in my book.
Let’s look at Cynthia Dill the “ultra-liberal”, I like Cynthia Dill because she tells it like it is. She takes a position and stands for what she believes. Even if I am a conservative and she is a liberal and we disagree on various positions, we are still Americans. I could walk up to her, state my position versus hers and I am certain that there would be common points upon which we would agree. For example, she is for the North woods National Park. My position is that the National Park Service does not have the fiscal resources to manage the parks that it has now let alone manage another park. These are the critical details that need to be pointed out so that people do understand that you can’t just keep spending and adding on to the debt. I believe more Americans need to take a different look at who these politicians are. We need a truth squad not vote for a person because of a label. We need individuals with the guts to stand up for the people.
Can somebody ask Angus why he voted for the foodstamp president. Does he also endorse the foodstamp presidents fast and furious program? Does Angus believe the foodstamp president should be impeached for hiding behind executive privilage to avoid showing the world how his administration gave guns to drug runners that caused the death of Americans.