mainepolitics Member since July 16, 2008

Businessman Les Otten announced yesterday that he will seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2010. Based on his campaign website and materials, however, he looks more like he's running as a Democrat. One Democrat in particular.
I served on the academic discipline committee for two years in college and this is still one of the most blatant rip-offs I've ever seen:
It's not just his website either. Check out the front of the podium at his official announcement.

For the first time in 30 years, Maine's budget has decreased in size. Hardest hit are state services for children, education funding and state workers. The budget passed the House 119-26 and the Senate 33-2.

Senator Collins' Special Assistant, Bobby Reynolds, goes head to (shiny) head with Lewiston Sun Journal Opinions Editor Tony Ronzio over the "Cash for Clunkers" bill:

I'm not sure if this is a one-off experiment or a sign of social media integration to come, but Tony Ronzio, opinions editor for the Lewiston Sun Journal, has posted a YouTube version of tomorrow's editorial (and tweeted about doing so).

What's better than watching Portland Mayor Jill Duson and friends do the electric slide to raise money for community television?
Putting the video through the Benny Hill filter:

Video of yesterday's State of the State, from MPBN.

Rep. Patsy Crockett says she submitted the bill upon request from criminal prosecutors. From WABI:

A clip of Snowe and Collins on CBS News via the new Susan Collins Newswire blog.

Gay rights groups in Maine have been very good at getting the right kind of media coverage lately. The events featuring religious leaders for gay marriage a few months ago were very well managed, and their latest effort, a Valentine's Day themed trip to the legislature, was perfectly on-message. Here are a couple TV reports:

Susan cover today notes that the anti-gay marriage groups have a website up opposing the equal marriage law currently being considered by the Maine legislature.
The site features a series of videos of Bishop Richard Malone of Portland answering questions from a group of what appear to be well-lit actors and a message to Maine from Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council. The site also has a well-designed form visitors can use to contact their state legislators.
The site doesn't list the backers of what it calls the "Maine Marriage Initiative," but it appears to be a product of the Portland Catholic Diocese and groups associated with James Dobson's Focus on the Family, which is a parent organization of both the Family Research Council and the Maine Family Policy Council, headed by Mike Heath (which until recently was known as the Christian Civic League).
Tony Perkins will be visiting Maine on Sunday to speak at an anti-same sex marriage rally in Augusta. Here's a clip from his recent appearance on the Colbert Report:

Americans United for Change has a radio ad up thanking Snowe and Collins for supporting the stimulus bill.
Obama also called both Senators today to thank them for their support. Their votes could be key to a whole host of legislation over the next few months, including the final version of the stimulus package, which will need to be re-passed by both the House and Senate.

As Maine Goes editor and Maine Heritage Policy Center board member Scott Fish emerged from his secret lair this week to attend a public meeting on wind power.

No one back in 2001 could have fathomed how prescient this Onion article, published eight years ago on the eve of Bush's inauguration, would now seem. Tomorrow we celebrate a renewal of America, (and celebrations are planned all over Maine) but today is a chance to say goodbye to a presidency that will forever be known for war, recession, disaster, secrecy, debt and inhumanity at home and abroad.
Here's one imagining of what President Bush will be up to tonight, his last in office, and a song that fits the moment well: