BREWER, Maine — Republican Charlie Summers is holding a series of town hall-style meetings in his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
The first of five of the meetings takes place Friday at a bank in Brewer.
Summers calls the meetings “conversations” with Mainers. He says he will share his views on how to cut spending, keep taxes low and grow the economy.
Additional gatherings are being held in October in Kennebunkport, Waterville, Bath and Portland.
Summers is running for the seat being vacated by Sen. Olympia Snowe, who is not running for re-election.
He is running against independent Angus King, Democrat Cynthia Dill and three other independents.
This guy who (I believe) has free public health benefits for life (VA) is against govt mandated, subsidized health care, the only solution put forth by anyone to help solve the uninsured problem.
Yeah, but he deserves it!
It takes nerves of steel to hide out in the Public Relations Officer Headquarters!
He has his combat medal for both Iraq and Afghanistan. Do you have yours? If not then stfu.
Liberals are heroic for being,,,,,,,well,,,,,,,liberal.
While I have to admit to not particularly liking the man, I do have to address your statement about free public health benefits for life. The VA doesn’t just arbitrarily give out free healthcare benefits. You have to apply to receive them (I served and am not eligible myself for the benefits…my husband just retired after 31 years and he isn’t eligible for them) and fit in a nice little box in order to qualify for them. There is a HUGE difference between the VA medical care and what your talking about with the government mandated, subsidized health care system…service to your country.
He’s running on the Maine Heritage ticket, isn’t he?
Mr”voter fraud” will just be another “No, nothing” for anything but corporation and the rich.Vote King!
King is a one percenter that you evidently do not like so you may want to edit your comment to account for the fact that you said Summers is for the rich which means he is for Angus King. Most democrats and conflicted in this election because they are for things unless they aren’t. No clear choices or direction. Obama is still running against George Bush, Michaud is still running for cover and Chellie has her race all bought and paid for by her billionaire husband.
I’ve met and talked with both of them.One would never know that King was a millionaire.Anyone who trys to take away our most important freedom, the right to vote, will never get my vote.That is the agenda of the national republican party. of which I’m now ashamed to say ,I once belonged .The only fraud here is Summers!
Please tell me how the Republican party has tried to take away your right to vote. You have to have an id to cash a check, get a bank account, drive a car, and apply for your state & federal free benefits…so why shouldn’t you have to show an id to vote?
Anyone who has to sign a pledge of tax bribery to get votes, while claiming voter fraud for the legitimate votes needs a oneway ticket to Thomaston and an orange jumpsuit!
Anyone who votes for such a scoundrel should be his cellmate!
I’m always amazed by people’s comments about 1% when both parties have really rich people.
Town hall-style meetings?
Or town hair-style meetings?
This empty-suit Teabully hack has worked his tail off to steal the most precious RIGHT we Americans have, voting.
He’s joined at the hip with lunatic Charlie Webster.
The Two Charlies, Summers & Webster. Don’t be fooled by this bad choice people.
You probably should skip the meeting.
Everyone should skip the meetings.
I’m certainly not fooled by you.
I’m not trying to fool anyone.
Only a fool would vote for this liar.
Why don’t you have the full information about these townhall meetings?
By the way, Charlie Summers is a veteran who served our country very well–how about some of you who are questioning his military background–did you volunteer your time to protect America’s citizens?
Yeah I heard he got a medal for the paper cuts he got from being a REMF Public Affairs Officer. Of course to be “fair and balanced” someone once said they had heard from a fairly reliable source, third hand, that ol’ Charlie actually got near to where there was some shooting just once. I can’t confirm this but I bet he wears a CAB what do you want to bet.
As compared to draft dodger Angus? NO matter what he did, he served, and he served down range.
Military service does not a good civilian public servant make. Not by a longshot.
CharlieSummers record is one of using his office to disenfranchise American citizens of their RIGHT to vote.
Again I ask how is Charlie Summers trying to take away your right to vote? If you are trying to use that tired line about the voter id, I ask you to consider this…you have to have an id to get a bank account, cash a check, pay at any store with a check, drive a car, oh and to apply and receive the welfare, WIC, and social security benefits so why shouldn’t you have to show an id to vote?
Because not everyone has an ID — estimates are something like 1 in 10. We have a right to vote and those rights aren’t contingent on being able to open a bank account or drive a car.
Might I inquire as to where you got your estimate? Because in this day in age, I find it very difficult to swallow that 1 in 10 have an id.
It doesn’t matter what you think, not everyone has an ID. So even if it is just one person that doesn’t have one, you’re still disenfranchising a voter.
But the number is 1 in 10 are without an ID. http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/the_challenge_of_obtaining_voter_identification
Unless you can prove that 1 in 10 votes are fraudulent and that requiring voter IDs would put a stop to that — then yes, requiring IDs is voter suppression.
I politely asked for your reference not to belittle your statement but to educate myself. Telling me it doesn’t matter what I think is just like me saying your
opinion doesn’t matter. Everyone is entitled to think or have an
opinion. Thank you for the reference. I would think that you would be equally outraged by the disenfranchisement of 125,000 US Service Members in the 2010 election.
In respect to factual truths, no, your opinion doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if I have a hard time believing that grass is green — it’s still green.
Again, I am just trying to be polite. In the world we live in with all the requirements to show positive proof of id, I’m sorry that I had a hard time believing there were that many people that didn’t have any type of identification.
Again you ask me? When did you ask me the first time?
You didn’t.
That said, voting is an inalienable sacred right and not a privilege.
You don’t impede our rights in America, ever. Rather, you defend them to the death.
The GOP as a political party is dwindling fast. They have a National Strategy to make it difficult or impossible for likely non-GOP voters to be able to vote. That’s a fact.
I apologize for directing the “again I ask” it was another poster I previously asked. But you didn’t answer the question.
I answered your question. Please see my response to you.
I would disagree. What you posted is not an answer to the question “How is Charlie Summers trying to take away your right to vote?”
Because he’s working diligently to disenfranchise voters that’s how.
Can you tell me how? I am not familiar with the man or his policies. Are you equally as disgusted by the disenfranchisement of the 125,000 military personnel that occurred in the 2010 election?
Yes I am disgusted when any American is disenfranchised. I encourage you to research Summers, Webster, and the ALEC agenda to suppress the vote
Thank you! I will take a look.
There’s no voter fraud problem in this country. Who in their right mind would risk the prison time and felony charge just to cast an extra vote? It’s nonsensical. And this thing about illegal aliens voting? Illegal aliens like to stay way under the radar, They’re less likely to do anything like a voter fraud. The least attention they get, the better for them. A little common sense here please. This isn’t rocket science.
Maybe in Maine. But when you get further south (I’m currently stationed in Norfolk, VA) the illegal aliens don’t stay as “under the radar” as you think. We’ve had several high visibility court cases where illegal aliens commit felonies (murder, DUI with death, etc) and ICE refuses to take the person & deport them. As for the voter fraud issue, I have to show an id to request my absentee ballot at the federal voting assistance office and have been required to do this since joining the military. In Virginia, we’ve had some rumors of funny stuff going on while registering voters but Virginia requires an id to actually vote at the polls.
Are there any stories about them going to the polls in casting vote illegally?
You are referencing stories about violent criminals and drunk drivers who happened to be illegal aliens.
Do you think lots of them also head to the polls to vote?
You haven’t bought a gun lately, if you think showing an ID is impeding our rights.
What militia are you in?
The supreme court ruled that citizen have the right but lets talk about the militia. A militia is a group of citizens that form to fight an invading force, so an American is/can be in the militia.
Showing an I.D. is more restrictive! The Repubs are trying to make that a specific ID, not just a picture drivers incense. How many times have you had to show a specific Id created just for buying a gun? Right now in Maine, you have to show any picture ID to buy a gun. If you arn’t a convicted felon, it’s not a problem.
Correct, I can show any state id to buy a rifle or shotgun. However try buying a handgun in another state. You would have to have the dealer ship the handgun to a dealer in your state. Then you go to the dealer in your state and fill out the paper work. Oh, I forgot the paper work, not a huge deal but a pain in the butt to do everytime you buy a gun. Oh by the way if your id only has a PO Box then best luck getting the gun. You need to have a state issued document with your physical address to buy a firearm. But way showing a State of Maine ID to vote in Maine is awful.
Charlie and the Teatards want to make a special voter ID card as the only acceptable form of identification. The thinking being that a lot of mainers won’t bother. Then they can turn them away at the polls.
A number of years ago (not many) the Dems wanted to pass a law that before you could buy a gun (and go through all the Federal paper work) you would have to get a state permit to purchase a gun (and you need a new permit for every gun and you would be limited to the amount of permits you could get a year).
“…. voting is an inalienable sacred right” …. This is an inalienable right extended to eligible voters!
Nothing wrong with proving you live in the Town/District you are voting in, and that you are a Citizen therein.
sure thing the next vote they will be supressing will be your vote
there’s no voter fraud problem in this country. who would risk the prison time and felony charge just to cast an extra vote? it’s nonsensical. and this thing about illegal aliens voting? illegal aliens like to stay way under the radar, they’re less likely to do anything like a voter fraud. The least attention they get, the better for them
You have seen the pictures of all those Mexicans sneaking across the border? Well, that’s why they are sneaking in! So they can vote. LOL
No why would they want to vote.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/15/politics/immigration/index.html
Thanks for posting a link to an article that has nothing to do about illegal aliens going to the polls and casting votes illegally.
You’re very welcome. The point is that illegals do have a reason to try to vote.
you didn’t make that point yet
Really you can’t see why illegals would try to vote for a person that promises to change the laws to allow them to become citizens without doing the proper paperwork.
nice conspiracy theory, I think it’s ridiculous.
So because I served but didn’t get injured makes me less of a veteran? Did you serve?
Thank you for your service.
Summer has no chance of winning. I also question his ability to keep his job as Secretary of State, given the sketchy ethics that he’s applied to himself during this process. The legislature should take steps to prevent this sort of fox-guarding-the-hen house behavior in the future.
Agree on all counts.
Charlie should have resigned after getting the nomination. Total conflict of interest to be the state official who oversees elections and to simultaneously be running in an election.
The Press Herald reports he has dropped out of 2 debates. Must be running out of Paid State Vacation Time!
I see that Charlie Summers is running his campaign just like Eliot Cutler did. He spends all this time down State, making kissy face with his base, but completely ignores the fact that there is a Maine north of Bangor. Charlie is now clearly outta the closet as far as where, and who, he’s going to listen to and how far he’s gonna go to do so. But given how the Maine GOP has been run over the last year it shouldn’t come as a surprise. King, like’em or hate’em, at least had the guts to come north and talk to us and listen to us as far as the issue’s and problem’s we have up here. Both Charlie and Cindy Dill have yet to, by any reasonable standard, show that they know that there are actual voter’s up here that should be listened to. Being a Senator means that you listen to, and actually get off your keester and go see, the voter’s that you are supposedly representing. Even Suzie Collins knows that much and gets back up here from time to time to listen. Her office Staff’s are another matter. And when you think about it, sad as it is, this is looking like a TV spinoff of Romney’s 47% type campaign speech on SNL. And the Maine GOP wonders why they are getting slammed ? The Charlie Twin’s have either not been looking at, or are looking way too hard at, the TV for campaign advice.
If I am not mistaken he was just in the county last week?
I met him back in late August at the Blue Hill Fair.
That’s south of Bangor.
Well….technically it’s southeast of Bangor but it isn’t in the “other” Maine. Your post made me smile. When he walked up and introduced himself and said he was from Scarborough, without even thinking about it I quipped “That really isn’t a positive selling point.”
You have no idea what you are talking about. If he did not care about Northern Maine then why was he endorsed by EVERY REPUBLICAN LEGISLATOR IN THE COUNTY. And before you say oh well of course they will endorse him, hes a Republican, that was PRIOR to the primary.
The BDN will never call Angus King a “senate hopeful,” will they? Truly pathetic.
They have been calling him the Senate Shoe In!
Hope is all Summers has!
I’m sure he’ll be up each night before reciting the talking points he’s been given in front of the mirror. Stick to the script! lol
The Summers of Our Discontent.
Love it!
I’m not sure what Charlie hopes to accomplish, campaigning on the worn out and proven failed Republican policy isn’t doing Mitt Ramoney much good. With Obama projected to take Maine in a landslide, it’s unlikely that Charlie will have a coat tail to ride to Washington.
Im sure charlie isnt drawing a salary while he is campaigning and he surely wouldnt be traveling around the state on taxpayer funds holding meetings in the southern part of the state and forgetting there is a northern part of the state also and who is filling in for summers just maybe we could cut that position and save even more money.
Unlike all our previous incumbent presidents (democrats & republicans). Why should our tax dollars be used for someone to run for political office? I know I can think of WAY better things to use that money on…
i agree 100%
Wouldn’t be wiser to hold town meetings at places like high school gyms, town halls, or even activity centers? Having a town hall at banks gives folks the preception Mr. Summers is more interested in talking to those with money, instead of ordinary citizens. It is even doubtfull ordinary citizens of his party won’t attend such a meeting at a bank, because of that type of image it presents to the public.
The image of rich backers, including bankers or people considered upper crust where ordinary folks of the same party just don’t fit in!
Don’t forget the last 4 years the Republican Congress in Washington VOTED NO, more than once, on jobs bill, balancing the budget, extension of unemploument benefits, voted no for tax cuts for businesses, the middleclass and working poor, voted no to immigrant soldiers serving in our military, voted no to cut college education cost, including allowing students to remain on their parents health plans, and voted on preventative healthcare for seniors.
People who have followed C-Span watching both houses of congress have seen for themselves how the work for the American people was not done. The only thing that got done, was to follow their political agenda TO NOT put America’s ecomony first!
If Americans vote for republicans to go to Washington, our ecomony will never get better.
Having never voted a straight ticket for the last 58 years, basing my vote on the individual, is no longer a consideration due to an agenda for the rich to take over our country!