Well, I certainly don't want to come across as any kind of authority -- I'm not particularly politically active, and I've been speaking with a rather small sample.

Last night I had a chat with a couple of women, one a Christian conservative and the other a younger liberal. What emerged was a feeling that John Baldacci (most recent former Governor, Democrat) is likely to enter the race. In that case, he would be somewhat more likely than Michaud or Pingree to win the nomination. However, King's running as an Independent would likely harm the Democrat's candidacy, to the advantage of the Republican -- just as happened with the election of current Governor, the embarrassingly RW Paul LePage, who won with 38% of the vote.

Liberal darling Chellie Pingree won’t run for Snowe’s seat



more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plu ... _blog.html

According to much valuable insight gained this morning at my local general store, Dems are disappointed by King's entry and Thugs are happy -- but the latter didn't appear to fully account for Pingree's decision not to run. (They were just smacking their lips at the prospects of a Tea Bagger winning in a three-way.)

Angus King was a popular governor, well-suited to the temperment of this state. OTOH, Baldacci's numbers appear to be substantially behind King's, even though Baldacci was governor more recently. It's Baldacci, at this point, who worries me the most. He's the one who'd be most likely to set up a repeat of the three-way nightmare that gave us the dreadful, loathesome Gov. LePage.

All things considered, though, I think King's the odds-on favorite at this point, even in a three-way. Although he's moderate in most respects, there's still the spectre of a tied Senate, in which case he'd be in a position to sell out to the highest bidder (Democratic or Republican caucus) for committee assignments and so forth.

Based on no particual information, my hunch is that King would prefer to caucus with the Dems. After all, frustration with partisan Republican politics was, in large measure, what led to Snowe's retirement. Still, if the Republicans end up a position to tip the majority, stranger things have happened. As we all know, it sucks to be in the minority caucus unless you're a Republican who enjoys obstructing everything and solving nothing.

IMO, as an independent, King wouldn't be a Bernie Sanders, but he wouldn't be a petulant asshole like Joe Lieberman either.

As Chester A. Riley used to say, "What a revolting development this is."

Maine Teabaggers may have to work a bit harder to retain the Senate seat for Republicans.

IMO, this is good news that Baldacci's decided against making it a three-way race. Even though I'd prefer a real Democrat, I'm breathing a little easier now.

Maine Republicans and the National Republican Senatorial Committee are acting like they know it won't be them.

I haven't seen it, but that doesn't sound like the kind of pitch that would turn Mainers off to King.

Since it has been less than 2 months since Sen Snowe announced her decision not to seek re-election, there aren't as many polls as other races to offer comparisons. The previous poll I listed included Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) who has since decided to run for re-election to the House. Former Gov Angus King presently enjoys a very comfortable lead.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls ... -3181.html

Are the Democrats going to engage in potential seppuku and run someone against King?

But these are the kinds of things that the Democratic Party does so well!

Ae you suggesting the Democrats might pull a ...

Real Clear Politics hasn't added a new poll yet (the Maine People's Resource Center Mar 31--Apr 2 poll posted 5 spots above is still the only one published) but for some reason RCP has changed the listing of Maine from "Toss Up" to "Likely Dem", skipping over "Leans Dem".

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls ... e_map.html

The Maine Republican Party has developed a new attack, which shouldn't really be much surprise. It appears they're getting desperate (also not a surprise).

Something about beachfront property in Nevada comes to mind after reading this.

Latest poll results from RCP.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls ... -3242.html

I saw my first Charlie Summers ad last night. I'm sure there have been others, I don't watch a lot of TV, but I have been struck over the past few weeks to see ads that attack King and/or Dill and are paid for by the Republican party, but do not endorse or even name a Republican candidate.

Not a lot of polls on this race. Real Clear Politics has added only 1 poll since my last post Oct 1. Former Gov Angus King still maintains a significant lead over Republican Charlie Summers and Democrat Cynthia Dill.


http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls ... -3242.html

The Republican strategy of anonymously praising Dill and encouraging Democrats to vote for her (see Oct 1 post) makes sense when you review the polls and determine the number of other/undecided remaining. Anything else and Summers is brunt toast.

It appears Maine Democratic voters trust King.

That's certainly the feeling I get. While many disagree with specific views of his, people feel they know him well, and find him generally sensible and trustworthy. (And, I must say, many Republicans agree. Maine's a pretty independent state.)

Those Maine folks are always marching to a different drummer.

As a Mainer who's sharpening up his hunting boots for Tuesday, I resemble that remark. (And surely you know that Thoreau picked up a lot of his wisdom while munching pine nuts in the woods of Maine, right?)

*****

FWIW, I've received at least two mail-outs from Republican surrogate organizations pitching Dill over Angus.

Seriously, folks, why not also Dill over Summers? Do I look that stupid? OK, that may be your only valid point.

*****

Believe it or not, I'm actually an undecided in this race and I can't remember ever being undecided about an important office this close to an election. Part of me wants to vote for Dill because her progressive positions align best with mine. She's still pretty green (in both senses) and has fumbled and bumbled along at times. Still, she's young and may prove to be an up-and-comer for the future, so I don't want to see her squashed too badly.

OTOH, if my vibes are telling me there's any realistic chance Summers could win, it is conceivable that I might hold my nose and vote for Angus. (You know, control of the Senate and all.) Moreover, Summers is the real deal if you want another moron-ideologue voting Yea or Nay depending on which eye Mitch McConnell winks.

Keep in mind that it still smarts to think about how our current governor (Paul "LePig" LePage) slipped in with 38% of the vote in a three-way race. Worst. Governor. Evah.

Hold that thought!

Exactly my thinking. One of our members PMd me about the race yesterday, and my response included this:

Mainers have always been independent style of folks.

You might just have to just hold your nose and vote for Angus.

Yup. I have 61% bumper stickers on my cars!

CNN calls Angus King the winner.