District 21 state Senate Race
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I need to begin by saying how disappointed I am with Earle McCormack. Earle and I haven't always seen eye to eye, politically, but in the end I have always supported him and worked for his election and re-election. He struck me as a manof personal integrity, if somewhat uncertain political principles. For him to have been party to a scheme to be a "straw man" in the primary to step aside after the vote to deny conservatives a free, fair and full chance to draft a candidate in the primary - the very reason we HAVE primaries. for heaven's sake - sickens me. This whole chain of events turns out to be a scheme put together by Roger Katz to keep that seat a "moderate" seat. It's Anti-democratic and unprincipled. Everyone associated with it (Katz, McCormack, Pettingill, Flood, et al) should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.
Somehow, Roger Katz and Rosen have become the only voice that matters in the Republican Party candidating vetting process and these guys are turning tail and running from the principles and values that saw us rack up historic victories in 2010. They actually said to Ryan Wheaton, by way of trying to encourage him not to contest the coronation of Representative Flood as the nominee "We have to be realistic. Conservatives can not win."
It's good to know how you really feel, senator. I'll keep that in mind when the Republican state and Kennebec County Republican committees start hitting me up for funds to support "our" candidates. Because, clearly, they're YOUR candidates, not OURS.
Well, it's a seat that the Republicans now should win and would not have had the other person prevailed.
Senator Katz was chosen to run the 1st District Caucus at the State Convention. I thought he was part of the Liberty movement all the way, are they against him now?
Mr. Magoo, I think you're wrong. I don't think Flood can win the seat. Earle McCormack who was very good at dodging controversy, typically had a hard time winning this seat in a Democrat majority district against B list competition. Flood is going into the race with lots of Republican conservatives steamed at him for his part in this put up job who are likely to sit on their hands rather than vote for him. (I'm one of them. I always voted for Earle, but I won't vote for Flood.) Add to that the fact that he voted against the state employees on pension reform in a district where current and former state employees are a formidiable part of the demographic profile and it's a loser.
Terrific thinking Coyote. Let's elect Dave Bustin, the former Labor Commissioner under Brennan. I'm sure he'll fight the labor unions tooth and nail.
Seems to me we have one of the clear differences between D's and R's....R's will simply stay home and not vote for a lesser choice candidate, but D's will go, hold their nose and understand that much of what the elected official does after is in their best interests....
I'm calling Hickman for Flood's old House seat. Hickman is popular in Winthrop, he is a (D), but he is likable. When he wins I hope he finds a seat in Maine agriculture committees.
It's time to get serious about Maine agriculture! The County should be planting CORN to capitalize on the shortages.
I didn't contribute money to Robert Reed to watch him "comment up a storm" here when he should be out campaigning in Lewiston's Breau Park.
... but I won't vote for Flood.) Add to that the fact that he voted against the state employees on pension reform in a district where current and former state employees are a formidiable part of the demographic profile and it's a loser.
And you call Flood moderate? The decision to cut state employee benefits was one of the best things this Legislature did. I'm glad Pat had the courage to stand up for these cuts in light of the heavy metal in his district; shows courage. I wish him luck in this race.
I'm calling Hickman for Flood's old House seat. Hickman is popular in Winthrop, he is a (D), but he is likable. When he wins I hope he finds a seat in Maine agriculture committees.
Hickman is a screaming socialist whose ideas on welfare are even far beyond what this state has been dealing with since Angus. Please, get in touch with people in Winthrop who know what he's all about.
Just to clarify, since there is some question. I never said I'd vote FOR Bustin, only that I wouldn't vote FOR flood.
Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Bustin announces in the next day or two that he can't run after all, Making way for Sharon Treat.
In any event, I don't believe Flood can win this district. I didn't say the pension reform was a bad idea, only that it wasn't going to fly with the Democratic majority in District 21. I don't think it was courageous, particularly on his part. He was term limited out. He thought he'd never have to answer for the vote. He didn't anticipate being drafted up by the Katz machine.
If David Bustin (or any party's nominee) were to withdraw now, the withdrawn candidate would not be able to be replaced unless his he or she "withdraws because of a catastrophic illness that has permanently and continuously incapacitated the candidate and would prevent performance of the duties of the office sought, provided the candidate or a member of the candidate's immediate family files with the Secretary of State a certificate accompanying the withdrawal request, which describes the illness and is signed by at least 2 licensed physicians." If a party's nominee died, he or she could also be replaced. Non-party candidates (and presumably candidates in non-partisan races on the state/federal/county ballot, like all county officers now in Somerset County) can't be replaced, no matter when or for what reason they die or withdraw.
So far, no candidate has withdrawn since the July 9 deadline for party nominees to withdraw and still be elligible to be replaced. I'm a little disappointed, as I was hoping to make fun someone who did that (without it being patently obvious that I was making fun of that candidate). To make up for that, here's a shameless plug for my reply #93 in the 2012 Maine Senate, House and County Elections Thread, where I backhandedly poked fun at a Republican from Lewiston who messed up by withdrawing just before the primary rather than waiting until after.
Trader, first, thanks for any support you have made to my campaign - while I do not know your true identity I do appreciate all the support folks have given already. Second as to how I spend my time, you are correct, however at that particular moment, the fine folks at VIP were fixing a tire that got a screw in it, and stayed open a few extra minutes for me. While waiting I did review email and AMG blogs to pass the time. If you'd like, I'd be happy to provide a copy of the receipt that day, provided even though there was no charge for the work as I had bought my tires there.
Best Wishes
The fact is, moderates like Flood and Katz are firmly in control of the party. I can't stand them, but c'est la vie.
M.A.P.: Kennebec Journal Publishes Blatant Lie From Democratic Senate Candidate
Posted on Oct 1, 2012
Candidate Letter Claims State Funding to Public Schools Was Reduced When It Was Increased
Augusta – ....letter to the editor written by a candidate for Maine Senate District 21 and published by the Kennebec Journal... revealed a blatant lie ...
... Democratic candidate for ...Senate District 21, David Bustin.... makes...claim that:
“LePage says he really cares about students, but then reduces state funding to public schools."
This is a lie. State funding to education ... increased by $63 million under... LePage administration.
The Bangor Daily News has covered the issue here.
It is highlighted in the Governor’s Making Maine Prosperous booklet on page 10 here.
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Read the remainder and other verification sources:
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This was no surprise, Wheaton lost a bid for a house seat in the primary. I'll give him credit for having gusto, something Flood lacks, but he needs to take a breather and give it a go next time around.
Flood was my rep in Winthrop, but now he will be running in my West Gardiner district 21. Flood will avoid a fight whenever he can, he is not much for controversy. He truly is a moderate and most of district 21 is down the middle.
Even West Gardiner has transformed into a middle class town with school aged kids swamping the little local school. It's not as conservative as it once was, but no one is makings much noise in local town politics, so things will stay on the DL for now.