All politicians talk, but few truly listen. U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud listens to the people of Maine in a way that enables him to understand their real concerns, their true objections to different ideas, and where common ground can be found.
That’s why he gets results.
Maine needs experienced, effective leadership to meet our state’s challenges. Mike has a proven record of steady, bipartisan leadership at the state and national levels.
During our country’s recent crisis over veterans’ health care, Mike was a leader on a bipartisan approach to deal with it. As the ranking Democrat on the key congressional committee, Mike and his Republican counterpart worked together to find a solution. That’s the approach Mike will bring to the job of governor.
When environmental advocates in Maine sought tough new regulations to protect Maine’s forests, some in the forest products industry worried the proposals would devastate their industry. As a respected state legislator trusted by both sides, Mike got them together and crafted a bipartisan solution that became law, and one that both sides praised.
Mike has repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to put the public interest above party or personal interest. When the Maine Senate was evenly divided, Democrats and Republicans agreed that Mike would serve as president the first year of that session and the Republican leader, Rick Bennett, would serve the second year.
After the death of a Republican senator, Democrats won a special election and gained a clear majority of seats — providing Mike with sufficient votes to remain as president for the second year. But, Mike had given his word. So, though his party was in the majority, Mike kept his word and relinquished the powerful post of president.
That kind of integrity is all too often missing in the political process and is one reason Mike is so well respected among all his colleagues, regardless of party.
Nearly everything I know about politics and leadership, I learned from U.S. Sen. Ed Muskie. I traveled with Muskie frequently and saw close up how he gained respect by giving it; how he never acted in a condescending manner to those he met; how he weaved integrity into every aspect of the political process.
Muskie’s persistence, and the respect he showed opponents, allowed him to craft compromises on several pieces of landmark legislation that gained widespread support. In a governing system such as ours, leadership, cooperation and compromise are necessary.
Mike understands these fundamental principles of governing in a democratic society and knows how to bring people of divergent views together to hammer out solutions that are broadly acceptable.
Mike has strong convictions and understands that others do, too. But to make our system of government work, leaders need the ability to get men and women with strong and deeply held views to find common ground for the common good. That’s what Mike has done throughout his public service.
True leadership requires more than just a willingness to listen. We expect governors to have a vision of their own to improve the quality of life in our state. Mike has demonstrated a forward-looking vision and has presented a concrete program for dealing with our needs, including economic growth and environmental protection.
Maine’s next governor will face serious challenges. I’m confident Mike’s experience at both the state level — where he chaired the Legislature’s budget-writing committee and presided over the Maine Senate — and at the federal level as a ranking member in Congress will enable him to bring competence and stability to the state budget, tackle the problems facing Maine businesses and restore a spirit of bipartisan cooperation.
Mike has a comprehensive plan to create jobs, improve education and health care, and protect our environment. He respects others and listens to people, including those with whom he disagrees. He knows how to bring people together to find commonsense solutions that work.
Mike will never forget his roots as a working class man from East Millinocket. He won’t insult or look down on anyone. He’ll be fair and reasonable, and he’ll get the job done. That’s why I’m proud to support Mike Michaud for governor.
Sen. George J. Mitchell represented Maine in the U.S. Senate for 15 years, including six as majority leader. He later led Northern Ireland peace negotiations and chaired the International Fact Finding Committee on Violence in the Middle East.