E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS“Maine Rep. Mike Michaud announced [last night] that he will not run to replace retiring Sen. Olympia Snowe (R), a move that all but ensures fellow Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree will enter the race,” Roll Call reports.
CALIFORNIA: Gary Condit’s son is running for Congress in California.
MASSACHUSETTS: On the Blunt amendment, Scott “Brown has defended his position by invoking the support of a ‘conscience protection’ for Catholic health care workers by his Senate predecessor, Edward M. Kennedy, the late Catholic Democrat,” the Boston Globe writes. “But Kennedy’s former staffers and his son have said Kennedy was referring to doctors and nurses who did not wish to perform abortions because it was against their religion, and he would not have supported limiting health insurance coverage.”
NEW YORK: The New York Times editorial page runs this piece: “On Saturday, Speaker John Boehner is scheduled to gather in Florida with rich Republican donors, shoulder to shoulder with Representative Vern Buchanan, who is leading the fund-raising of House Republican candidates nationwide. Mr. Boehner seems utterly unperturbed by the fact that federal investigators are looking into allegations that Mr. Buchanan, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, failed to fully disclose his business holdings and charges that his companies reimbursed employees who contributed $90,000 in ‘straw donations’ to his campaign.”
Leave a Comment:
Amy,
Would like to hear your thoughts on Pingree.
Thanks for asking, Jack!
The front page of today's paper says Mike Michaud was pressured to forgo a run for the senate, because it's likely the Democrats would lose his 2nd district seat in the House if he left it. I was sad, because I really like Michaud; he's a good man and popular with Independents.
It's much more likely Democrats would retain Pingree's 1st district House seat, if she runs for the senate, because Southern Maine is much more liberal than Michaud's half of the state.
Pingree fulfilled my fantasies by being a middle aged woman who has recently married a billionaire hedge fund manager. She married Donald Sussman, who is a big donor to liberal causes and recently invested in the state's biggest newspaper; although they are adament he doesn't influence content, I worry Republicans will make this an issue in Pingree's race.
Pingree is very liberal, which is to say, I agree with all of her positions, but I worry about her ability to win the Independent vote. Republicans will be very nasty to her if she runs, but I suppose you just have to accept that fact, it's politics.
Thanks, Amy. I went to her website and looked at a couple other websites and saw a clip of her on Rachel Maddow's show, but your post really fills in the blanks for me. So, I'm guessing she took Tom Allen's seat?
Best of luck to her. She sounds just like what Maine needs!
Hello Amy, I heard that the ex-governor was going to run. Who do you think would be a better? Where should I invest my money?
Oh, boy! I'm loving this attention!
The papers and local TV are going nuts over Snowe's retirement. This event is bringing out all the big names in Maine politics. It has really shaken up the House races too, as politicians are scrambling to decide which office to run for. Poor John Hinck, the state representative who was going to be our sacrificial lamb against Snowe, has ceded the race to the better known names, and is now looking at running for the House if Chellie runs for the Senate. It's like a political musical chairs.
Gov. Baldacci left office with a pretty low approval rating; although I always supported him, he is hardly Mr. Excitement (that's what we have Paul LePage for, I guess.) Baldacci is a nose to the grindstone, work horse of a public official, and I am sure he would make a fine Senator, but I would like to see some polling before I'd suggest sending him money. (Oh, what the heck, send him money, he's a good guy.)
I also heard Angus King, our former Independent governor, may run for the Senate and he is pretty good too. I just pray we don't end up splitting the vote with the Independents and letting a Republican win AGAIN.
Jack in Portsmouth
Yes, Tom Allen gave up his House seat to run against Susan Collins for Senate, and unfortunately he lost. He was my Representative during the Bush years, and I remember him holding a town hall meeting on the Iraq War in the local High School. Poor Tom got it in the neck from both sides, liberals criticized him for not being stronger against the invasion, and Republicans for being too strong.
I saw Rep Allen two years ago at a book fair, where he mentioned to the audience he was working on a book about the current political climate in Washington. We were at a lecture on Ayn Rand, actually, and Allen was commenting on the sway her myth has over right-wing politicians. Very intelligent man, and super nice.
sen brown is pulling out all the guns, for he certainly has an up hill battle. can't wait for first debate, and his distortions will never hold.
Chellie Pingree had an excellent record of getting things done and compromise when necessay in the state legislature.
A little more background info....She started a small business in her home town on the island of North Haven many years ago, and it grew into quite a cottage industry employing I believe about 10 people. She has worked prior to this in farming and caretaking (summer places...common on the islands) prior to starting this small business. If anyone is familiar with the outer islands you know that although a "summer place" of choice to many with money, the people who live and work there year round are living an incredibly difficult life. There are no harder working people anywhere. Chellie Pingree has her roots in this beautiful and difficult place and (IMO) way too much attention is being paid to "new hubby" and his income. She is a popular legislator and has the ability and experience to take Senator Snowe's place and the guts to take the flack that comes with running.
John Baldacci is very hard working, but is not the most "exciting" politician out there I would agree. I would support him as second choice but I would prefer to have another woman replace Snowe in the Senate.