Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

TRACKING THE GOVERNOR'S RACE: Website offers info

By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer

 AUGUSTA — As I talk to people about the governor’s race, many of them say they just don’t have enough information to make a decision.
 With the election just about two weeks away, there are several places to go to find out more.
 One is the elections page on our website (www.onlinesentinel.com), which grows every day with new information. You can watch the candidates interact with members of our editorial board as they try to convince the newspapers to endorse them. We’ve also hosted live debates for both Republicans and Democrats with our media partner, WGME-TV-13.
 For those of you who want to see the candidates in action a few more times, there will be more opportunities as other news outlets roll out their debate schedules.
 This Thursday, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network will host a live televised Republican debate at 8 p.m.
 After that:
 • June 1 WMTW-TV 8 hosts a live GOP debate from 7-8 p.m.
 • June 2, WMTW-TV 8 hosts a live Democratic debate from 7-8 p.m.
 • That same night, WCSH-TV 6 will air taped debates for Democrats and Republicans between 8-10 p.m.
 • June 3, Maine Public Broadcasting hosts a live Democratic debate from 8-9 p.m.

 President Pingree?
 During the Democratic convention on Saturday, the House Democrats surprised outgoing Speaker Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, with a short video.
 Her father and sister, fellow islanders and staff praised Pingree for her eight years in the Legislature.
Pingree, 33, has said she wants to start a family before deciding her next political move.
 During the video, House Majority Office Chief of Staff Travis Kennedy called her the smartest person he’s ever met.
 “She could be president someday,” he said.

Text message poll
 The Maine People’s Alliance, a progressive group that pushes for social change, has launched a text message straw poll of the June 8 gubernatorial primaries.
 SMS messages can be sent from any mobile phone with the last name of any of the 11 candidates — or you can type “undecided.” Only one vote will be accepted from each mobile phone, according to the group.
 The poll will run through Wednesday. Send the message to 978-242-6207.
 “This is an unscientific poll, but we hope it will give some idea of where the energy is in the governor’s race, especially among young people in Maine,” said Mike Tipping, the group’s communications coordinator.

Baldacci approval
 The Critical Insights spring poll, which was released in full last week, showed Gov. John Baldacci with an approval rating of 39 percent, disapproval at 48 percent and “don’t know” at 12 percent.
 That’s similar to results from last fall and a year ago, according to the firm.
 Baldacci, a Democrat, will finish his eight year term in January 2011. His approval was at an all time high in the fall of 2003 — a year after his first election — when it hit 72 percent.
 The poll surveys 600 Mainers by phone and has a margin of error of 4 percent.

Only in Maine?
 We’ve seen a fair amount of political ads already this primary season, and more were released last week.
 But there’s one that’s bound to be memorable for a reason other than what the candidate says. Sen. Peter Mills, one of seven Republicans in the race, released six ads at once, including one that begins with a hunter calling moose which is sure to get the attention of anyone within earshot of the TV.
 It’s called, appropriately enough, “Moose Call” and you can find it here: www.millsformaine.com/2010/05/tv-ads-maine-businesses.

LePage picks up Red Co.
support
 The Red County Caucus, which honors Piscataquis County’s distinction as the only county in New England to support McCain/Palin in 2008, announced Friday that it is backing Waterville Mayor Paul LePage for governor.
 Caucus Chairman Andy Torbett said straw polls and other data that represents the views of the county convinced them that LePage is the one to back. The endorsement means caucus members will “actively support” LePage as he works to get the GOP nomination.

Mitchell wins education award
 The Maine Education Association recently honored Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell and House Speaker Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, with a “Friend of Education Award.”
 Mitchell, one of four Democrats running for governor, was named for her effort to reach out to educators before making a decision, said Mark Gray, executive director of the union.
 
Finance reports due Friday
 Friday is the 11-day pre-primary reporting deadline for candidates, political action committees, ballot question committees and state party committees.
 Reports are due at 11:59 p.m. Some candidates have tried to use their fundraising prowess to their advantage by releasing figures early. We’ll see what the strategy is this time around.
 Although Friday is a state shutdown day, the ethics commission office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the commission website.

Cutler touts Maine ‘brand’
 Independent Eliot Cutler told the Maine Tourism Association recently that the state doesn’t “spend enough money to promote itself as a tourist destination.”
 “I want Maine people to know that in my administration we will find the money to adequately promote Maine and we will protect those funds from the politics of the moment,” he said in a speech to the group.
 Cutler is one of two independents to have turned in their signatures to get their names on the November ballot. The other is Shawn Moody of Gorham, who said he may not run in the race if he likes one of the candidates nominated by one of the parties.

Susan Cover — 620-7015
scover@centralmaine.com