Monthly Archives: July 2011

The Credibility (Or Lack Thereof) Of Norm Olsen

Norm Olsen made a number of damning accusations on his way out the door, last week.  His statements should be familiar by now to anyone who has followed this mini-controversy, but if you need to be brought up to speed, just read his parting shots here. One of his more troubling accusations piqued my curiosity: […]

Scott D'Amboise: Hero Of The Out Of Stater

Scott D’Amboise‘s filing with the FEC is finally online to take a look at.  I say finally because it took quite a bit longer to see than the others.  This is probably because D’Amboise filed his report a day late.  That’s the kind of thing unserious candidates tend to do a lot of. It reports $141,599.12 […]

The Curious Case Of Norm Olsen

In the past couple of days, the cause célèbre in Maine politics has been the resignation of the Commissioner of Department of Marine Resources, Norm Olsen, and his subsequent torching of the administration on his way out the door. Once the fiery bridge burning occurred, rather predictably the left swooped into action like an opportunistic condor, […]

Scott D’Amboise Is Not A Serious Candidate

The time is ripe for conservatives, unhappy with the centrism of Senator Olympia Snowe, to challenge and beat her in a primary with a more conservative candidate.  They’ve never had a better chance. There have been several rumors about former Maine Senator Carol Weston or businessman Eric Cianchette throwing their hat in the ring to […]

Another Day, Another Special Election

Senator David Trahan recently accepted a position as executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.  This week he is meeting with the Ethics Commission to see if it is possible for him to remain in the Senate while serving SAM.  If he can pull that off, he undoubtedly would have to surrender the ability to […]

You Can't Listen And Talk At The Same Time

Ah, the listening tour.  The last public relations line of defense for a candidate or party bereft of ideas or communications platforms. Do you remember, dear reader, when Hillary Clinton‘s appointment as Secretary of State created a vacancy in the United States Senate, and one Caroline Kennedy decided to throw her hat in the ring […]

All Eyes On Kevin Raye

Among the worst kept secrets in Maine politics today is that Kevin Raye is running for Congress again, in a ten year anniversary re-match with Mike Michaud. I’ve heard no end of confirmations from members of Raye’s own staff, members of Congressman Michaud’s staff, Republican activists and leaders, and just about anyone who I ask. […]

D'Amboise Has A Steep Hill To Climb (And It Is Covered In Snowe)

Oh like you didn’t expect plenty of Snowe puns in the next couple years.  Get used to it. Our first guidepost of the 2012 Senate primary in Maine has passed, and has given us our first opportunity to actually compare and contrast the various campaigns. That guidepost is money. This morning, Jonathan Riskind reported on […]

Charter Schools Come To Maine

Not a cure for the pox on education in Maine and in the country, but certainly a step in the right direction. Thanks to the talents of our former editor Derek Viger, Pine Tree Politics has covered the issue of charter schools at some length.  But now, thanks to the legislature and a signature from […]

The Death of Clean Elections?

I can only hope. On Monday, the Supreme Court struck down a law in Arizona which provided what are known as “matching funds” in its public campaign finance system.  Arizona’s law was modeled on Maine’s Clean Elections law, including the matching fund provision. For those unfamiliar with the system, Maine and Arizona allocate a specific […]