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Log inAnalysts say Maine plays key election role
Analysts say Maine plays key election role
by Outspoken on Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:37 am
Analysts say Maine plays key election role
Expert: Palin visit could tip state to GOP
By Eric Russell
Staff Writer Bangor Daily News
Maine’s 2nd Congressional District stretches from the western border with New Hampshire to the eastern tip of Washington County, encompassing everything north of Augusta.
It’s the largest district east of the Mississippi River, filled with rural voters who don’t always align themselves with a political party but with specific ideals instead.
Sen. John McCain’s announcement last week that he plans to make an aggressive advertising push in Maine has put the state, and especially its unique 2nd District, in the battleground category.
Depending on the outcome in November’s presidential election between McCain and Sen. Barack Obama, the move could either be seen as brilliant or desperate.
“The 2nd District is the kind of place where Republicans have done well,” said Mark Brewer, a political scientist at the University of Maine. “It’s largely rural, almost exclusively white, has a high rate of gun ownership. Those are traits usually associated with Republican voters.”
Still, Brewer pointed out, Republican presidential candidates have yet to capture the 2nd District since Reagan. President George W. Bush came close in 2000 but still lost by 5,000 votes to Al Gore.
As McCain plans to roll out ads in Maine, the real question is whether he or his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, will make a visit to the Pine Tree State.
Christian Potholm, a professor at Bowdoin College in Brunswick and a political consultant, said a personal stop could seal the deal, with one stipulation.
“I think it would be a complete bust if McCain comes, but if Palin comes and really does a whole day of campaigning, she could carry the 2nd District,” Potholm said.
Because Maine is one of only two states to split its electoral votes, Republicans could nab one vote from the 2nd District. However, Potholm said if McCain and Palin really do well in the 2nd, it could tip all four of Maine’s electoral votes McCain’s way.
“The polls in Maine have closed rather substantially since she was on the ticket,” he said. “Now, they would have to carry the 2nd District by a big margin for McCain to win the entire state, but it might be interesting.”
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/90473.html
Expert: Palin visit could tip state to GOP
By Eric Russell
Staff Writer Bangor Daily News
Maine’s 2nd Congressional District stretches from the western border with New Hampshire to the eastern tip of Washington County, encompassing everything north of Augusta.
It’s the largest district east of the Mississippi River, filled with rural voters who don’t always align themselves with a political party but with specific ideals instead.
Sen. John McCain’s announcement last week that he plans to make an aggressive advertising push in Maine has put the state, and especially its unique 2nd District, in the battleground category.
Depending on the outcome in November’s presidential election between McCain and Sen. Barack Obama, the move could either be seen as brilliant or desperate.
“The 2nd District is the kind of place where Republicans have done well,” said Mark Brewer, a political scientist at the University of Maine. “It’s largely rural, almost exclusively white, has a high rate of gun ownership. Those are traits usually associated with Republican voters.”
Still, Brewer pointed out, Republican presidential candidates have yet to capture the 2nd District since Reagan. President George W. Bush came close in 2000 but still lost by 5,000 votes to Al Gore.
As McCain plans to roll out ads in Maine, the real question is whether he or his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, will make a visit to the Pine Tree State.
Christian Potholm, a professor at Bowdoin College in Brunswick and a political consultant, said a personal stop could seal the deal, with one stipulation.
“I think it would be a complete bust if McCain comes, but if Palin comes and really does a whole day of campaigning, she could carry the 2nd District,” Potholm said.
Because Maine is one of only two states to split its electoral votes, Republicans could nab one vote from the 2nd District. However, Potholm said if McCain and Palin really do well in the 2nd, it could tip all four of Maine’s electoral votes McCain’s way.
“The polls in Maine have closed rather substantially since she was on the ticket,” he said. “Now, they would have to carry the 2nd District by a big margin for McCain to win the entire state, but it might be interesting.”
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/90473.html
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Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
