No on Question 1
This question, put on the ballot by the Humane Society of the United States and Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting, seeks to, once again, ban the recreational baiting, trapping and hounding of bears. Voters rejected a similar referendum in 2004 and they should do so again.
Proponents of the ban have portrayed baiting as stuffing bears with junk food for a “canned” hunt and have argued that baiting is responsible for the growth of Maine’s bear population. Bait is only a small portion of bears’ diets, as they visit bait sites sparingly in their quest for food in preparation for their winter hibernation. Even with bait, natural foods — such as berries, beech nuts and rodents — make up the majority of bears’ diets. The black bear population is growing across the country, including in states that have banned baiting.
Proponents also have argued that hunting over bait essentially guarantees a successful hunt. But only a quarter of bear hunters are successful in Maine, during a four-month season (hunting over bait is allowed for four weeks). By comparison, 70 to 80 percent of moose hunters typically bag their prey in a season spread over six weeks in different parts of the state, with most regions limited to a one-week hunt.
It is wrong that IF&W has spent state money and time producing videos and literature against Question 1 and used outlandish scare tactics about bear attacks, which are nonexistent in Maine. The department and sportsmen also erred in not stopping bear trapping and hounding after the 2004 referendum, something that must still be rectified if Question 1 fails at the polls, as it should.
Yes on bonds
Although the $50 million sought by Questions 2 through 7 is too small and too dispersed to make a sustained difference in the state economy, these bonds are worthy of public support. From $3 million for Mount Desert Biological Laboratory ( Question 5) to $8 million for an animal and plant testing lab at the University of Maine ( Question 2) to $7 million to help Maine’s marine industries adjust to changing markets and climate ( Question 7), these are worthwhile investments.
Cutler’s poor showing
In the race for governor, Eliot Cutler put forward the most detailed and thoughtful solutions to some of Maine’s most pressing problems — such as a high property tax burden and a stagnant economy.
But after stagnating in a distant third place, Cutler has essentially given up the race, telling his supporters “to vote for whomever they want.” Cutler’s last-minute sniping at Sen. Angus King, who switched his endorsement to Michaud on Wednesday, is a poor way to end a campaign that was supposed to be about hope and statesmanship. This leaves voters with a choice between Gov. Paul LePage or Rep. Mike Michaud, neither of whom are inspiring candidates.
Cain’s productive approach
At its core, the race for the open 2nd Congressional District seat is one between a candidate who understands the intricacies of policymaking and feels no need to run away from or recast her decade-long record in public service and a candidate who goes negative at every turn without giving voters a clear idea of where he stands.
The choice in Maine’s 2nd District is a clear one: Democrat Emily Cain deserves to be the 2nd District’s next representative in the U.S. House. The state senator from Orono is best prepared to advocate for Maine’s 2nd District and take on the hard work of governing — rather than grandstanding — to get important work done for Maine residents.
Cain’s Republican opponent, Bruce Poliquin, has tried hard to cast Cain’s decade of service in the Maine Legislature as a liability, frequently deriding her as a “career politician.” But it’s Cain’s service in the Maine Legislature that prepares her to serve in the U.S. Congress and make government work for her constituents.
Pingree only choice in 1st
The 1st Congressional District race is so lackluster that Democrat Chellie Pingree, who is seeking her fourth term, has not aired a TV commercial and has given much of her campaign cash to other candidates. Pingree hasn’t had to put up much of a fight to keep her seat, but she remains worthy of support.
The Republican Party has failed voters in the 1st District. Yes, the district leans Democratic, but by not putting up serious candidates, the party is disenfranchising a large percentage of voters — both moderate and conservative. Republican Isaac Misiuk has a thin resume and no reference to policies he stands for on his campaign website. Richard Murphy, a member of the National Guard, pledges to not compromise, and his “ key points of action” include stopping U.S. foreign aid and withdrawing the U.S. from the United Nations.
With unknown, inexperienced opponents, voters are effectively denied a choice.
Collins, common sense in Senate
In three terms, Sen. Susan Collins has played a pivotal role in tackling pressing national issues, from crafting a plan to pull the economy from the brink of collapse to solving Maine problems, like getting heavy trucks off local roads and back onto the interstate, making our towns safer and cleaner. Based on her hard work and ability to work with colleagues regardless of party affiliation, Collins will serve Maine and the nation well in another term in the Senate.
Her challenger, Democrat Shenna Bellows, hasn’t made the case that Collins’ time in the Senate should come to a close. Seniority and moderation matter in the Senate and are more important than ever. Bellows, at this time, lacks the experience that would help her serve Maine well.
The New York Times recently named Collins the country’s least partisan senator. While Congress has become more polarized, Collins has moved in the opposite direction, voting with her party less and less frequently. In 2013-14, she voted with the GOP 58 percent of the time, according to The Upshot, compared to 79 percent in 1997-98 during her first term.