Is Senator Susan Collins still a Republican?

Silly question?

Maybe.

But her recent political antics certainly provoke much widespread puzzlement and confusion. Either Susan is badly out of step with the Republican Party, or many in the Republican Party are out of step with Susan. As a very troubling symptom of Senator Collins political "pivots", the very left-leaning Portland Press Herald has been keeping her front and center in the paper on an almost daily basis, as she gives various Republicans a "black eye". It has kept most Republicans very unhappy!

These days Republicans come in many different "political flavors. There are:  conservative "Tea Partiers", Libertarians, Middle of the Road types, RINOs, and then there is Senator Susan Collins. Is she an Independent, or an-almost Democrat, or what?

In all fairness, Senator Collins has many years of admirable public service as a Maine Republican Senator. She used to be a fairly recognizable "middle of the road Republican", able to compromise on legislation when it seemed appropriate to get things done. This was compromise without "surrender" of core Republican principles. Now we are left wondering as she jumps ship on core Republican issues like Obamacare - repeal and replace. Senator Collins recently proposed a bill to rescind President Trump's decision to disallow transgender persons in the military. The president's decision recognized the difficulty of having a functional, combat ready military if there is an array of internal social turbulence.

Here in Maine, there is much Republican perplexity about Senator Collins "next political move". Will she run for Governor of Maine? On which party? Republican, Independent, or Democrat? When will she make known her decision? Some suggest it will happen within a month. There is considerable concern being privately expressed among some Republicans that a Collins run for Governor could be a "spoiler" for those Republicans who have already announced that they are in the gubernatorial race. The speculation is that, having offended Maine Republican leadership, and therefore  damaging her her chances in the Republican primaries, that she might enter as an Independent candidate. As an Independent, with great name recognition and with constant press approval of her rebellions against the Republican party, she might scoop up supporters from among more liberal Republicans and from a large number of Democrats, who like her attacks on Republicanism.

The word in the street is that over the years, Collins has accumulated a huge "election war chest" and doesn't need any financial support from the Maine Republican party. Furthermore, it is being whispered behind closed doors that she is hinting at helping with financial support for Maine politicians seeking Maine or national political offices. Loyalty to Susan Collins is the 'quid pro quo'. The "Collins marketing pitch": Imagine a "Republican Governor for 8 years. Imagine a Republican majority in the Maine House and Senate. Imagine an all Republican congressional delegation. 

Just "make nice" to Susan Collins in the primaries and it all could fall into place.

Has she "cooked her goose", as Gov LePage claims, or can she entice with "a chicken in every pot" for loyal candidates?

Where do the candidates stand on welfare reform?

Today Michael Michaud announced a health plan which actually calls for spending more taxpayer money on welfare. That's right, Michael Michaud who in the State Senate helped expand welfare and create the hospital debt, is now calling for even more welfare. Haven't we had enough welfare expansion?

You can probably guess where Governor Paul LePage stands on this issue.

Support Gov Paul LePage by making a donation so that the state does not see welfare expansion.

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Is 58 too old to realize you're Gay?

The "Michaud disclosure" of the last two days has predictably set off a media "firestorm", which is due to run its course over the next week or so before it burns out.  At the moment appears to be using up all of the political "oxygen" in the room, and Governor LePage's announcement of his candidacy is apt to be partially eclipsed by the public, political and media rush to vocalize their greater degree of  enlightenment than everyone else.

But ... we would say, wait a minute. Michaud is really only making  a partial disclosure. Gay sex comes in many varied forms.  The so called, "Michaud disclosure" leaves unanswered a good many potentially troubling questions: 

(a) Why choose to disclose his "gay identity" just now?
(b) Since Michaud reports in the Portland Press Herald that he has no regular known partner what is the nature of his "gay sex outlet": casual pick-ups, under-age boys, public men's room encounters, male prostitutes or other types of "outlets" which might be able to compromise his political integrity? 

Is the rush to disclose, because he is being threatened with blackmail or some form of legal/police action?  At the moment, we simply don't know.  No one is addressing these serious questions.

Before we all join the emerging rally, marveling at "his courage, his honesty, his integrity", let's have a few facts.  Is courage at play, or is it lawyers and public relations "mavins" trying to forestall something less admirable than "courage", etc?

Our suggestion would be to let the firestorm burn down a bit more, before seeking answers.  And ... let others ask the questions.  Any "off color" answers are not apt stay buried for long.  And ... by all means, remember, the worst case scenario, would be for Michaud to drop out of the race, leaving Eliot Cutler as the only opponent!!  A wounded opponent still maintains the three way split.

Lunch with the Governor - Paul LePage - the people's politician

This past Sunday (2013-10-20) afternoon well over 100 people gathered at the Tradewinds ChowderHouse and Speakeasy to mingle with Governor Paul LePage and enjoy each other’s company, and a delicious dinner. In addition to many of the “usual” attendees there were nearly a dozen new faces in the crowd. The early reception was held downstairs in the “Speakeasy” which will be open to the public next month and will feature MoTown music and live entertainment. The Governor leisurely chatted with us and blended in as just another person. Of Course that’s part of the reason why we love him; he is just a regular man. LePage is a people’s politician not a polished politician.

Then we all went to the main dining area where we listened to the Governor speak for 30 minutes on a variety of topics including the recent incident where the federal government closed the Cobscook Bay State Park. Governor LePage took action for the people of Maine and had it reopened due to a long standing agreement that has been in place since 1965. He also spoke to the fact that he wanted more Mainers off foreign oil and used the Province of Quebec as an example of affordable electric energy. In Quebec 92% of the population uses electricity to power their homes. The average heating cost in the winter is $100.00 per month. LePage expressed his frustration that the legislature has not been willing to work at reducing the cost of energy for the citizens of Maine. One bright point is that the governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut recognize what Governor LePage has been saying for years. That Maine, New England should look north to Quebec for inexpensive energy. Jobs were another subject that the governor spoke to the crowd about. During his tenure there has been over 12,000 jobs created. These jobs are in areas that are economically depressed for the state. These jobs created are in contrast to the 56 created under the previous administration.

Governor Paul LePage took several questions from the audience and was thorough in his answers . The questions were hard hitting but dear to the hearts of many Mainers. The Governor answered each with grace and integrity that one would expect and did so in a way that all could relate to. When the meal was served he did not even eat, rather choosing to visit each table in the room shaking hands and posing for photographs.

Nearly $2000.00 was raised at the dinner and when added to the $5400.00 from the yard sale last week we are most certain to reach our fundraising goal for next year’s election cycle. A donation is going to be sent to Governor LePages reelection campaign form the Knox county Republicans as a measure of our gratitude and support . Thank you to all who attended, sponsored tickets, and to Bob Liberty at the Tradewinds, and Kevin and Cathy Labree as well as the staff at the ChowderHouse.