Maine Republicans Poised to Increase Majority in House
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Maine Republicans Poised to Increase Majority in House
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2012
Contact:
Kristina Beacom
Political Director
Maine Republican House Campaign
(207)200-4601
AUGUSTA – Maine Republican leaders are optimistic about increasing their majority in the State House, following the passage of today’s 5 pm deadline for replacement candidates to file the necessary paperwork to run in the November election.
Republicans currently hold a 77-70 lead in the Maine House of Representatives, with two members unenrolled and two seats vacant.
With every seat up for grabs in November, recruitment for Republican candidates is at an all-time high, with candidates set to compete in every corner of the state.
“I am particularly impressed with the diversity of our candidates,” said House Speaker Robert Nutting. “There are small business owners, farmers, fishermen, and teachers-people from every walk of life who are excited about the transformation that is happening in Augusta,” Nutting said.
In 2010, Maine voters elected a Republican majority for the first time in nearly four decades. The 125th Legislature answered by passing landmark regulatory reform to cut back on the excessive red tape businesses face, approving the largest tax cut in state history, reforming the welfare system to prevent abuse, making structural changes to the state’s Medicaid system to live within our means, and introducing more competition into the health insurance market.
“With the passage of today’s deadline, we now have our final team in place, and we are ready to go. Our team is motivated and confident that Maine voters will want to send more Republicans to Augusta to become part of the solution that is working,” Nutting said.
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Will they?
How many voters are tired to see the 7th version of a homosexual rights law being put forth after 6 have been defeated?
How many voters realize that the feel good vote for Obama in 2008 did them little or no good? (Still hoping for change?)
How many voters are simply tired of the entire process and outcome?
And most importantly - will it be raining that day?
Much as I like the idea of increasing R seats in the Maine House, that press release, its headline and the headline of this thread are, frankly, what you'd expect to find at the southerly end of a northbound horse. It may be the case (I'm personally not so sure), but if there's actual evidence of same it should be cited.
Ah yes the great Republican Replacement Act. With the back room deals, change of venues, stack the deck and other sundry playbook antics we/ they now have the select field of candidates that have passed the limus test. Horray, or am I being just sour grapes and this is what has always been the case and the nonRhine-Websterites should just take their beating and go home. But don't forget to man those election offices. Don't expect everyone in the "Party" to bite their tongues.
The Maine Democratic party is collapsing.
Democrats were unable to find a replacement candidate for the race to succeed Bill Diamond in the Senate District 12 seat, jeopardizing the party’s ability to regain control of the Maine Senate in November and raising questions about the capability of its local committee.
The Maine Democratic party is collapsing.
The Maine GOP isn't doing much better Tom.
The Maine GOP isn't doing much better Tom.
The first step in fixing a problem Tom, is admitting that there is a problem.
Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And an Easter Bunny, and a tooth fairy, and strong support for Governot LePage.
I think LePage has more support than lets say, Dill, Mitchell etc heck Lepage even got more votes than Baldacci. Democrats seem afraid to support their candidates, they have to run as so called Independents in order to have a chance.
Democrats have been blasting LePage day after day, telling lies about him, and the Pingree-Sussman Herald has been running negative stories on him since the campaign.
Then the Democrats say: "Look! Paul lePage doesn't have popular support!"
In their minds, maybe. The fact it it is the DEMOCRATS from whom the public is fleeing in droves!
Just keep doing what you're doing, Democrats! I mean you guys are so smart!
lol.
Posted: July 29
Election 2012: Democrats hope to regain footing
But the Maine party is "haunted by its losses in 2010 and is struggling to reconnect."
By John Richardson jrichardson@mainetoday.com
State House Bureau
Some Maine Democrats are getting nervous.
After losing the race for governor and both houses of the Legislature ...the pressure is on to win at the polls this fall.
...snip
.... there are...signs that the state's largest political party may be struggling to bounce back.
....snip
"If the Democratic Party comes in third in three statewide races in a row, that is really on the verge of being irrelevant," Strimling said.
**************
This may be the only time I agree with Ethan Strimling.
So lets rephrase the question here...
1. who WOULD give our Governor a run for his money in the next election? Will Cutler be back? Strimling? Dunlap?
1. Who WOULD give our Governor a run for his money in the next election? Will Cutler be back? Strimling? Dunlap?
1. Mike Michaud, if he gets tired of D.C. - especially if the Republicans still hang onto the House.
2. Yes.
3. You've got to be kidding
4. Nice guy, but now a footnote in political history.
The Governor should be more worried about getting past the primary.
More crystal ball moonbattery magic, Mid-Coast Mainer? Just for giggles and grins, what does your crystal ball have to say about the Dem primary for the Governor's office?
I wait on folks from all walks and talks...I am hearing favorable comments about Governor LePage regardless of party...people seem to be getting over that he is not polished and you never know what is going to slip out of his mouth...they like the tax reductions and the welfare reform...it is the bought and sold media that trys to make him look like the big bad wolf...most people seem to want someone who will make good business choices for Maine...tag LePage your it!
The Governor should be more worried about getting past the primary.
Name one Republican who could beat LePage in the primary.
Mike L, "Name one Republican who could beat LePage in the primary", Snowe?
I think if the Democrats put up a strong candidate such as Barry Hobbins or Bill Diamond ( both popular in southern Maine) and Elliot Cutler decides to run then you have the scenario of a split vote and Gov. LePage prevails with 36 - 38% of the vote. Ptetty much like the second Baldacci election. If they put up another Dill or Mitchell - all bets are off and I think Cutler with the backing of the Maine media becomes the early favorite.
"Name one Republican who could beat LePage in the primary", Snowe?
I don't believe that Snowe could win a Republican primary for assistant dog catcher. She could, however, win almost any general election in Maine by energizing her liberal base. If she has any interest in occupying the Blaine House, she'd have to run as an independent.
The list of republicans that could is very long. Snowe, Collins. Raye, Harriman, Katz, etc. If you think for a minute that Olympia would not wipe the floor with LePage, you are beyond delusional. She won't do it for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that he has supported her. Summers, if he does well losing against King will be tempted when the D's replace all the Constitutional officers. He will have two years to try for the ??? time to get elected. When the D's take over the Legislature and LePage is then the only face of Republican failure, it won't take long for the new power brokers of the Republican Party to sacrifice him on the Tea Party alter.
As far as the Democrats go, I have no predictions. They have failed to groom the next generation of leaders and have to pay the price for that. They learned the lesson in 2010, and that will not be repeated, at least not in 2012.
Midcoast, that is just delusional. Number one, LePage is the INCUMBENT. He has bult up many friends and alliances and will continue to do so. He would be as formidable an opponent as Snowe, due to no lapse in holding office and being governor (visibility). Plus, Snowe has burned many bridges even among past supporters, with her behavior this year.
So what would really happen is the Mother of All Battles in the ongoing civil war within Maine's Republican Party: conservatives (LePage) versus moderates (Snowe).
Unless you were referring to her running as an independent; in which case the above scenario obviously would not apply.
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This will be tough. The voters who stayed home in 2010 will be back this time...