Does Paul LePage have a shot?

What do people who vote Democrat know that we don't??

"What do they know that some folks on this thread don't?"

That they can call in some favors for themselves from the Cohen/Collins machine at some point down the road?

Mr Udall asks: "What do people who vote Democrat know that we don't??"

They know how to put up a candidate who seems innocuous, but who is really very committed to the Democrat agenda. You know, like Baldacci - from a small business family, talked conservative moderate, but was really a committed leftist. Easy to elect.

What the Dems did NOT nominate was an Ethan Strimling type - someone who made stark liberal statements and who they wouldn't have been able to elect.

Go thou and do likewise. Those conservative legislators know the score, and they are men of principal. If they think Abbott is for real, he is.

Too bad he has no experience in the business world. Politics isn't exactly a well-rounded background.

The only GOP candidates I surely will not support are Otten or Mills. Aside from that, I want to hear where the others stand on issues (fiscal and social.)

Abbot. Just what we need, a Republican insider who will take my money and instead of giving it to leftist organizations will give it to political insiders on the right. I want smaller government, not bigger government that will benefit a different group. So far Lepage is the only candidate who looks like he will actaully make a difference in any way that would benefit me. This whole deal with Abbot is covered with the stench that is politics as usual.

Good question trisyllabus. I figure Rep John Robinson, Rich Cebra and Scontras have political aspirations or are angling for some political plum. We know where Abbott came from and there is money there.

Nothing like always think the worst of people. I think their support is because they have worked closely with Steve and know him to be someone who is smart and capable of getting things done.

LePage decided to run traditional. If he is going to be taken seriously, he needs to raise money.

The Rs have several good candidates. It will be interesting to see how the primary campaign shapes up.

Thanks for the reminder.

You are welcome.

People who support Paul need to write him a check. If he doesn't end up with enough money to run an effective campaign, there should be no whining.

Not thinking the worst of people (at least not people in general), just years of experience dealing with politicians. I'm not cynical. I believe almost everything the Republicans say about the Democrats and almost everything the Democrats say about the Republicans.

"Those conservative legislators know the score, and they are men of principal. If they think Abbott is for real, he is."

That wouldn't explain why the establishment country-clubbers are tripping over themselves to get on board.

The aforementioned may be of some principle, but any quasi-successful politician is a pragmatist and an opportunist above and beyond any principle he or she may hold.

We have a number of good candidates this year so I've given this a lot of thought. I'm going to support Paul LePage.

Here are some of the reasons:

Paul has the experience both in public service and the private sector where he's been extremely effective.

Once he’s elected he’s not going to owe the power brokers so he can surround himself with qualified people. The time for politics as usual is over.

Some call him "front page" LePage because he's not scared to take his case to the pubic who elected him. I think of him as "same page" Lapage because he's one of us.

The State of Maine is in an awful mess and it's going to take courage to do the things we need to do to get us out of this hole. Paul has that courage.

He's started outlining some of his plans and those plans make sense. Come listen to him in Palmyra on Saturday the 23rd and see for yourself.

Paul LePage is the right man at the right time.

"Once he’s elected he’s not going to owe the power brokers so he can surround himself with qualified people. The time for politics as usual is over. "

Given the insider incompetence that infests Augusta, this point alone should be reason enough for people to vote for LePage.

agreed; that is a major point that doesn't often get made.

We will know the answer to the question if he is viable on Tuesday when finances will be reported. If he reports over $250,000 raised he may have a shot. If he is under, he does not. This is true for all the other candidates also.

"Beat the Elite" vote for the person who truly wants to represent the Maine People, not the entrenched special interest.. Vote LePage for Governor, he has a proven track record in government, business, many non-profit organizations and the life experience to make a difference for Maine People. Many candidates have business or government experience but lack both.

Doug, glad to hear of your support for LePage. He is my choice for Governor also, so it's good to see a common sense representative supporting a common sense candidate for government. This is what separates Paul from the rest - common sense, party outsider who will "beat the elite".

"Beat the Elite" - i don't think this is a winning message but even if it is, he will need $$$ to get that message out. We will see Tuesday. And if he is using Marden's email, which it looks like he is, it looks like part of the money will go towards legal fees.

LePage does need to raise money but $250,000? People who are supporting other candidates with all kinds of money or connections just setting the bar higher than it needs to be. Is the Governor's office for sale now to the highest bidder?

I've donated and will again.

"Republicans vote for working people"

Chandler Woodcock ran as a Clean Elections candidate in 2006, as did Mills. Both got $200K for the primary, which was barely enough to run a campaign.

This year, there will be 4 candidates that have at least $600K for the campaign. If LePage does not raise at least $500K, he will be lost in the shuffle because he will not be able to get his meassage out with all the better funded candidates in both parties.

Also, if he can't raise money in the primary, why will it be different in the general election?

Raising money in a basic part of running a campaign.

I do believe that LePage can win the general election, not so much the Republican primary. If LePage doesn't get the Republican nod, could he run as an independent?

Not if he lost the primary, unenrolled petitions have to be submitted about 10 days before the primary.

Steven Scharf
SCSMedia@aol.com

Thank you Steven.

Next question, if Mills wins the Republican nod, will you support him, and vote for him Dan?

Moot point. He is polling 2 to 3%.

It would be a different quesition, if he was any where over 15% in the Pinetree poll, but at last at 3%, he is toast. Even Bill Beardsley has leaped over him.

Steven Scharf
SCSMedia@aol.com

Robert: Mills is not going to win the nomination. But given the other choices, yes.

The guy I would have the most difficulty voting for would be Otten. (I don't consider Vachon a real candidate.)

I would have no problem working hard for Abbott, Beardsley, LePage, Poliquin, or Jacobsen. I would immediately make the maximum $750 contribution to any of the five if they win the primary.

Steven: You know better than to take an online "poll" seriously.

Moot point

Hardly. I never follow, or believe polls.

Thank you Dan.

I think the poll is reliable in separating the front runners from the one with no chance. I put no stock in who is actaully leading it. What the poll says is that the four front runners are able to get a couple hundred supporters to click through and vote.

I think it is significant that Peter cannot get more than 60 people to vote for him. Does not bode well for finding 3,250 $5 checks.

Steven Scharf
SCSMedia@aol.com