Who do I vote for?

Rick Bennett seems like a decent guy. He spoke to our county committee a couple weeks ago, and did okay. But two things: he comes across flat and a bit stultifying. And when asked which Senators he would look to team up with, or ones he simply admires, he named one really good one (Tom Coburn) and one really bad one (Carl Levin).

Again, I know the difference between the Tea Party Movement and a TP group. My statement about a unamious decision concerned a TP group. A TP group can be a small number of people and I know that at times they can all agree.

Also, I did watch the last debate which was not very enlightening as they all seemed to give the very simular answers. I also do homework, but also value the opinion of many on this site and will weigh those in making my decision also. Thank You.

"and one really bad one (Carl Levin)."

Jim that would certainly cause me to pause

Still undecided between Bennett, Summers and Schneider. Leaning toward Schneider.

Poloquin, however, would provide more entertainment value come November.

Still King's to lose.

@KrisW: Same in my TP group. We mostly agree and make sure NOT to endorse any candidate/campaign/cause.

It is a US Senate seat we seek to fill. A legislative, not executive position. Obvious, right? But obvious things can be overlooked.

I think we need someone who is has experience as a legislator.

Whoever we send is going to have to succeed with the 99 most pampered, venal and unaccomplished blowhards in the United States.

I think an accomplished executive type personality will fail.

I am looking for a person with legislative and real-world market accomplishments who is grounded in economic and political principles that I mostly agree with.

And I have found him.

Can anyone tell me how and why an invasive program has highlighted Senate in my post above and implanted a pop up ad?

Can anyone tell me how and why an invasive program has highlighted Senate in my post above and implanted a pop up ad?

Don't see it on my computer.

Thank you, it must be in my machine.

@ alter ego: A serious question, by not endorsing, does that mean that you privately(as a group) may support a candidate/campaign/cause, but you are unwilling to make that support public? I guess that I just don't get it.

Mark, I guess that I would have to disagree. I think that a man's work ethic, honesty, self control, willingness to learn, and his willingness to abide by the Constitution are far more important than legislative experience. In many cases I would consider those with a history in elected positions to be more of a liability than an asset.

@KrisW: no time to discuss now. Look over earlier threads HERE. Revisit post-Tuesday.

As for question/title of this thread, if you want more of same moderate/centrist/bipartisan/SnoweCollins compromising that got us where we are today, take your pick of Bennett/Summers/Schneider/Plowman. All lesser of two evils.

D'Amboise somewhat different but can he win? Doubtful. Flipflopped on Snowe, which cannot be ignored by me. Should somewhat redeem self by turning war chest over to Maine GOP, but she won't.

D'Amboise never made it to my personal short list because of this statement he made in 2006...
"Since the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, there has not been a single successful terrorist attack in the United States, and several attacks have been prevented. American lives have been saved due to the Patriot Act, and I
support it."

http://votesmart.org/public-statement/219943/damboise-on-the-issues

Kris, I think we agree on your list of personal attributes. It's good to stand firm on principles, and I think a good leader knows how best to do that. If you don't do it correctly in a legislative body, you do a disservice to the cause.

That's what I mean by placing a value on legislative experience.

I may be wrong because I wasn't there, but that's how Bennett has behaved in the past. But Poliquin is terrific, so will someone please convince me he will do well in a legislative, deliberative organization?

I received this e-mail this morning from a town councilor and GOP State Committeeman from York County:

Republicans have much to be proud of this year. Under the leadership of Governor LePage and the legislative Republicans we started moving our state in the right direction. When Senator Snowe decided not to run for reelection, five good candidates stepped up to take her place. As a conservative and Republican activist I want a candidate who can unite our party and defeat Angus King in November. Rick Bennett is that candidate.

Last week it was my pleasure to walk through Old Orchard Beach with Rick talking with many of our small business owners and citizens. The reception we received convinced me that we have a candidate that will be able to successfully take on Angus and his cronies. Rick listened and it was readily apparent that he cared about the concerns that the people expressed to him.

Rick understands our problems and is a proven job creator who can sell a message to win this seat. Rick is not just another politician. He stands by his values and has a consistent record. He didn’t come to the fight lately he has been fighting for common sense conservative principles for years.

He has also shown he is competitive with fundraising which I know will be important in defeating King. He has not recently lost time and time again which is important when we look to holding onto this seat.

For these reasons I am proud to be joining others around the State of Maine in endorsing Rick Bennett to be our next United States Senator. The primary election is next Tuesday, June 12th. I hope you will join me in supporting and voting for Rick Bennett.

Mike Coleman

Old Orchard Beach Town Councilor

Vice Chairman Old Orchard Beach Republican Committee

York County At-Large Member Republican State Committee

@Cenci: Poliquin has gained legislative experience these past two years and more. His DC staff choices will be solid, he will caucus with likeminded peers and net/maximize national support for Conservative agenda. Above all, he will fight for fiscal responsibility. SEE http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/06/08/Poliquin-Maine-Senate

With Bennett you get a moderate, a.k.a. centrist. Centrists lack defined principles, which is why Snowe moved Obamacare out of Committee so we, "...Could have the discussion" (my paraphrasing).

Do you really want to repeat that mistake? Be open to surprises from our next U.S. Senator? Bennett will progress the country Left like Snowe did. It's a given. The boy can't help it like the girl couldn't.

"With Bennett you get a moderate, a.k.a. centrist. Centrists lack defined principles..."

Rick Bennett was endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus. Libertarian-ish candidates don't fit well into stereotypical left-right boxes.

Rick Bennett's campaign manager asked me to explain that the reference to Carl Levin was liking his efforts to expose the corruption in Enron.

Suppose Bennett knew whose survey he was taking and advisors advised. Or is he longtime member?
Before my coming others here labeled him moderate. Now not a moderate? Equation of moderate = centrist mine.
GOP establishment and current national committeeman (twice in row). Do not recall his being a standout.

Bennett win some time off for me. Getting back on porch this time of year would be nice. New screen, too.

What is the evidence that Polqiuin has any principles?

In the 1990s, he was on the Board of the far left Natural Resouces Council of Maine. In 1989, he gave money to hand gun control.

In 2010, he ran against Paul LePage. While doing so, he expressed support for waiting periods on gun purchases and said he would leave the decision on abortion laws and gay marriage to the voters.

Now he campaigns on Paul LePage's accomplishments, claims to be a 2nd Amendment supporter, and claims to be pro-life.

Who know what he would do if he got elected.

Did Dan ask him to run senate like Dan wanted him to run for gov. ?
Bennetts' words in radio interview !

Whatever your opinion, it seems that AMG is the place to say it. A candidate called me today after "being made aware" of one of my post's here at Maine's most influential website....had a nice chat.

Pursuing same meme on multiple threads. My index fingers can barely keep up: http://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Maine+Voices%...

Pursuing same meme on multiple threads. My index fingers can barely keep up: http://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Maine+Voices%...

Now know what a double-post is. Apologize.

"...mentions my objection 21 years ago to spending $100 million to widen a short stretch of turnpike to relieve congestion for a small number of summer weekend hours. I have no tolerance for wasteful spending, whether at the Maine Turnpike Authority or any other government agency.

Otten misleadingly questions my strong commitment to individual gun rights by citing a small, single donation I made 23 years ago. He fails to mention my membership in and "A" rating from the National Rifle Association..."