The group opposing Question 2, which would allow a casino in Oxford County, recently posted an ad on YouTube to try to get their message out.

Over the last couple of weeks, TV ads urging voters to support the proposal have been running on local stations. CasinosNo! says it is now fighting back through a campaign it calls "word of mouse."

Voters on Nov. 4 will be asked to decide the issue. A story in the Maine Sunday Telegram points out that even people who live in Oxford County are torn on the issue.

The CasinosNo! ad, which runs 36 seconds, can be found here.

Friday night's showdown in Mississippi gave both candidates an opportunity to shine, with Republican Sen. John McCain getting a chance to tout his experience in the foreign policy arena and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama getting to talk about how he will improve the economy.

A few quick thoughts:

•During the first segment, where the economy was the topic, McCain scored for repeating his mantra that Washington spends too much money and he's the one to fix it.

•Obama talked about standard Democratic values, such as health care and early childhood education. He stressed how much money we are spending in Iraq.

•Both proposed aggressive approaches for dealing with our energy crisis, a topic that's of particular interest to Mainers.

•With no major gaffes on either side, it's hard to call a clear winner.

But if I had to choose, I'd say McCain got the slight edge.

What do you think?

I sat down with Gov. John Baldacci this morning to talk about a few different topics. You'll see the results of that interview in the paper sometime over the weekend (or maybe Monday).

And, of course, I couldn't resist asking him about his political future. He's consistently said for the last year or more that he isn't running for another office. But I figured I'd ask him specifically about taking a shot at the U.S. Senate in 2012, when Sen. Olympia Snowe, a Republican, is up for reelection -- if she chooses to run again.

Baldacci's spent his entire adult life in office, whether it was Bangor City Council, state Senate, Congress or the Blaine House. His term as governor is up in January 2011.

Here's what Baldacci had to say about Snowe's seat:

"Right now I love Maine. I was in Washington for eight years. I loved and was honored by the work I did in Washington, but my heart is here.

"My wife and I bought a place in Holden and we're gradually getting ready to move on, get Jack (their teenage son) in college, trying to encourage my wife to look at kindergarten teaching.

"There's an easy chair out there that has my name all over it.

"In terms of any other politics, I've told people I'm not running again. There's enough challenges right here in Maine."

Republican Charlie Summers, who is running for the 1st Congressional District seat, said Wednesday American taxpayers shouldn't be forgotten in the plan to bailout major financial institutions.

Here's part of his statement:

"Government will need to have a role in mitigating the effects of this debacle on Wall Street - however, rushing into a bailout plan that commits to using $700 billion is not necessarily the way to do it," he said.

Summers said he backs an investigation of fraud and market manipulation, and possible regulatory changes.

"Our priority needs to be the protection of the conscientious American taxpayer - not to rescue everyone who has made irresponsible financial and business decisions with no regard for the consequences, and forcing hard-working Americans the foot the bill," he said.

His opponent, Democrat Chellie Pingree, also put out a statement on the crisis.

"Congress and the administration must act quickly to stabilize our financial system, but also must hold those on Wall Street who contributed to this mess accountable," she said.

She also called for taxpayer protections, such as a pay back plan and ways for people to renegotiate their mortgages.

"Any bailout plan must limit executive pay and cancel stock options so failed CEOs who abused the public trust cannot take our money with them into retirement," she said.

Former Gov. Angus King, who recently endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president, will give a talk at 7 p.m. Wednesday that's being billed as an "energy solutions town hall."

King, who served eight years as Maine's second independent governor, is scheduled to discuss Obama's proposals for dealing with the energy crisis facing all of us this winter.

The talk will be held at the Lewiston Multi-Purpose Center, 145 Birch St.

Senate President Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport, and Senate Majority Leader Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, will kick-off Maine Women for Obama at 1 p.m. today in Portland.

Edmonds and Mitchell, both former Sen. Hillary Clinton supporters, will lead an effort to register voters, encourage people to vote early and recruit volunteers, according to the Obama campaign. Also, they will point out the differences between the presidential campaigns on issues that matter to women.

Today's event follows a big push over the weekend that featured women-to-women phone banks and knocking on doors.

It also comes at a time when Republicans Sen. John McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin have narrowed the Sen. Barack Obama-Sen. Joe Biden lead in Maine, at least according to a new poll from Rasmussen.

The poll gives Obama 50 percent, and McCain 46 percent. In July and August, Obama was up by double digits in Maine.

When it comes to the veeps, 54 percent have a favorable opinion of Palin while 48 percent feel the same about Biden.

The American Legislative Exchange Council, a nonpartisan membership association of state legislators, recently named Sen. Carol Weston, R-Montville, Legislator of the Year.

Weston, who serves as Senate Minority Leader, has served 10 years in the Maine Legislature. The exchange council has more than 2,000 members, which includes legislators, corporate and private foundation members.

Weston, who is heading up the efforts of Republicans trying to take over the state Senate, faces an election year challenge from Diane Messer, a Democrat from Liberty.

In Democratic news...

Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut will headline Saturday's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Lewiston.

More than 300 Democrats from across the state are expected to attend what is billed as the largest gathering of state Democrats each year.

As you might expect, several prominent Maine Democrats will speak as well, including Gov. John Baldacci, U.S. Reps. Tom Allen and Mike Michaud and 1st Congressional District candidate Chellie Pingree.

Dennis Bailey, spokesman for CasinosNo!, put out a statement today saying he's starting "The Daily Pat-Down," a Web page that can be found at casinosno.org that's devoted to countering statements made by Oxford County casino spokeswoman Pat LaMarche.

Or as Bailey, never one to mince words, puts it: "outrageous and erroneous claims" made by LaMarche, who is back as casino spokeswoman this week after it was announced that a Las Vegas company is stepping in.

LaMarche, who's run for governor and vice-president as a Green Independent, is more than capable of holding her own with Bailey. Finally, the once sleepy campaign has gotten under way.

"We're more than happy to go source for source with what we've got," LaMarche said.

Here's what you'll be asked to vote on Nov. 4:

Question 2: "Do you want to allow a certain Maine company to have the only casino in Maine, to be located in Oxford County, if part of the revenue is used to fund specific state programs?"

What's your take? Will it pass?

It was an exercise in discipline, writing and concise thinking.

Fifteen legislative candidates came to the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce breakfast this morning at the Senator Inn in Augusta to talk about why they are running for office.

And they each had only one minute to do it.

Some chose to run through a list of credentials, such as where they went to school and their work background. Others listed accomplishments. And some tried to appeal to the business owners in the room.

In the race for House District 82, Winthrop and Readfield, Rep. Pat Flood, R-Winthrop, said during four years in office, nine of his bills have become law. He said he works well with others.

"I hope to have a major role in addressing our state's most important issues," he said.

His opponent, Winthrop Town Councilwoman Priscilla Jenkins, a Democrat, said she's focused on economic development.

"I believe economic development, affordable health care, and jobs for all is a critical issue for us," she said.

To see what others had to say, check out Thursday's Kennebec Journal or Morning Sentinel.

Colby College Government Professor Anthony Corrado will lead a discussion Sunday night on the race for the White House.

Corrado, an expert in political finance, will be speaking at 7 p.m. in the Diamond Building room 142 on the Waterville campus. His talk is open to the public, and Colby spokeswoman Ruth Jacobs said there will be time for questions.

"It's not so much a lecture as a lively discussion," she said.

Corrado, a commentator who's appeared on NBC Nightly News, CNN, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, and other national shows, will talk about what the candidates need to do to get ahead at this point in the race, Jacobs said.

Poll results released recently by the lefty Web site Daily Kos give Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a comfortable lead in her race against U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine.

The interviews of 600 likely voters gave Collins a 57 percent to 38 percent lead. The phone survey took place Sept. 8 through Sept. 10. The margin for error is 4 percent.

On the campaign trail today, Collins continues her bus tour with stops in Pittsfield and Scarborough. Allen is scheduled to visit senior citizen centers in Portland and South Portland.

LEWISTON -- Former Maine Governor Angus King endorsed Barack Obama for president at he University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn College Friday.

King was joined by former Senator George Mitchell and Co-Chair of Maine Republicans for Obama Sherry Huber.

The Maine campaign for Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama will announce on Friday in Lewiston that "a prominent Maine leader" is endorsing the Illinois Senator.

Former Senator George Mitchell and Co-Chair of Maine Republicans for Obama, Sherry Huber, will also join the campaign for the endorsement at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn College, according to the Obama camp.

Any guesses?

In other political news...

Jeffrey Hope, a former television reporter who has worked in Anchorage, Alaska and Bangor, will give a presentation on the political rise of Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin at the Democratic Family Reunion Dinner and Auction, on September 19 at the Maple Hill Inn in Hallowell.

The event is organized by the Kennebec County Democratic Committee.

Hope, who lives in Winthrop, worked as a broadcast reporter for three years in Alaska. He'll share some of his observations as a Mainer living in Alaska and comment on the growth in Palin's popularity during his time there, according to the Kennebec Dems.

The two unenrolled candidates trying to get a place on the November ballot in the U.S. Senate race announced different tactics on Tuesday.

After numerous court challenges, Herbert Hoffman of Ogunquit said he will run as a write-in. He blasted incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and her challenger U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine, in a statement released today.

You probably haven't heard much about Question 2 on the November ballot, which would allow a casino in Oxford County.

CasinosNo! wants to change that.

Philip Harriman, chairman of the group, issued a challenge today to Seth Carey, the man behind the casino. Harriman said Carey should be disclosing details about the proposal, like where it will be located and who the investors are.

Harriman wants a televised debate.

Here's the question as it will appear on the ballot:

"Do you want to allow a certain Maine company to have the only casino in Maine, to be located in Oxford County, if part of the revenue is used to fund specific state programs?"

Independent U.S. Senate candidate Herbert Hoffman of Ogunquit and 13 co-plaintiffs went back to federal District Court Thursday in another attempt to have Hoffman's name appear on the November general election ballot, according to his campaign.

Hoffman has been trying for months to get his name on the ballot alongside incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine.

First Congressional District candidate Charlie Summers of Scarborough is scheduled to address the Republican National Convention tonight around 7:15, his campaign announced today.

He will talk about his personal story of being called to active duty in Iraq -- his wife, Ruth, campaigning on his behalf until his return home just three weeks before the primary election -- as well as voice his support for Sen. John McCain's candidacy.

"Gov. Sarah Palin's speech last night has energized this delegation, and set the tone for what is sure to be an exciting evening here in St. Paul, as Sen. McCain steps up to the podium," Summers said in a statement. "I'm honored and thrilled at the opportunity to not only be a part of tonight's program and lend support to the Republican presidential ticket, but to represent the Maine delegation on a national stage."

You can catch him on C-SPAN.

Summers is running against Democrat Chellie Pingree of North Haven for the Congressional seat.

The Augusta City Republican Committee is inviting the public to come to party headquarters on Higgins Street around 7 p.m. Thursday to watch Sen. John McCain accept the party's presidential nomination.

"It will be exciting to see Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin accept the party's nomination," said Augusta GOP Chairman Chuck Mahaleris, in a statement. "Plus we might be able to see some of our Augusta Republicans among the convention delegates on television."

Augusta residents Mark Ellis, Julie O'Brien and Pat Eisenhart are attending the convention.

Mahaleris said that one of the fun parts of the evening will be a conference call with the convention-goers from the floor in St. Paul.

"Who knows, maybe we will hear from some celebrities too," he said.

The Maine branch of Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign is planning an event at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Portland City Hall Plaza to announce that Robert A.G. Monks and Sherry Huber will serve as co-chairs of Maine Republicans for Obama.

Monks is the former chairman of the Maine Republican Party and has been an advocate for improving corporate governance in the United States.

Huber served in the Maine House of Representatives from 1976-1982 and has worked on conservation issues in the state. Together, they will spearhead grassroots efforts to turn out support for Barack Obama among Republicans in Maine, according to the campaign.