The McCain campaign shared an internal poll with the media this morning that shows the ticket of Republican Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin is surging in battleground states.

The eight-page memo, from pollster Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies, begins with some general statements about the presidential race on Tuesday's ballot.

Here's part of his introduction:

"First, let's be clear: This is a hard election to predict.

The historic nature of the candidates on both tickets, the huge influx of unregulated money by the Obama campaign, the dour public mood, and the unique level of voter interest all suggest an historic level of turnout, not witnessed in over 40 years."

He then says that in battleground states, the race is "functionally tied."

(Maine polls give Sen. Barack Obama a sizable lead.)

Back to the pollster:

"As other public polls begin to show Senator Obama dropping below 50% and the margin over McCain beginning to approach margin of error with a week left, all signs say we are headed to an election that may easily be too close to call by next Tuesday."

He also addresses turnout:

"Turnout IS going to go through the roof.

Public Opinion Strategies has been using a 1 to 10 scale to help look at self-described interest in the election since 1993. In 1996, in our last track, 48% of voters described their interest in the election as a "10." In 2000, the last track was 54% saying "10." Remarkably, in 2004, our last track had self-described "10s" at 75% of the electorate.

Last night, 81% of voters described their interest in this election as a 10! Wow!

I now believe turnout will begin to approach levels not seen since other comparable presidential campaigns in 1960 and 1968.

In today's terms, that could mean breaking the barrier of 130 million voters!

There is simply no model that begins to know or predict the composition of the electorate at this level of turnout."

So, what do you think?

Will the national presidential race be too close to call on election night?

With less than a week to go before the election, former Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift will be in Hermon on Wednesday to stump for the Republican ticket of McCain-Palin.

Swift, who spoke on McCain's behalf in Augusta during the February caucuses, is scheduled to host a press conference with House Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport, who also serves as vice-chairman of the Maine McCain campaign.

Here are the details:

WHO: Gov. Jane Swift and Josh Tardy, House Republican Leader and Maine Vice Chair for McCain-Palin

WHAT: Press conference

WHEN: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. EDT

WHERE: Pottle's Transportation, Inc.
15 Page Road West
Hermon, ME

Meghan McCain, Sen. John McCain's 23-year-old daughter, will be in Orono, Bangor and Auburn today.

She was in Boston on Thursday, according to the Boston Globe. If you want to find out more about her, check out her blog at www.mccainblogette.com.

Today's posting is titled "I am not President Bush."

The visit comes just one day after vice-presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin held a rally in Bangor. Despite the Republican National Committee's decision to spend less in Maine, the McCain campaign is continuing efforts to win the state's 2nd Congressional District.

Here are the details of Meghan McCain's visit to Maine:

ORONO

WHO: Meghan McCain

WHAT: Lunch With Supporters

WHEN: Friday, October 17, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. EDT

WHERE: Pat's Pizza
11 Mill St.
Orono, ME 04473

BANGOR

WHO: Meghan McCain

WHAT: Meet and Greet

WHEN: Friday, October 17, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. EDT

WHERE: Bangor Victory Center
543 Broadway
Bangor, ME

AUBURN

WHO: Meghan McCain

WHAT: Meet and Greet

WHEN: Friday, October 17, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. EDT

WHERE: Gritty's Brew Pub
68 Main Street
Auburn, ME 04210

After a couple of days of speculation, the Maine McCain campaign announced late Thursday that Todd Palin, husband of Republican vice-presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin, will be in Maine this weekend.

The events are open to the public. Still waiting for the national campaign to put out the official details, but here's what the Maine folks are able to release:

Saturday

Who: Todd Palin

What: Barbeque/meet and greet with supporters

Where: Moosehead Trail Trading Post

428 Oxbow Road (Route 100)

Palmyra

When: Doors open at 2:00 p.m.

Sunday

Who: Todd Palin

What: Barbeque/meet and greet with supporters

Where: Harry's Motor Sports

640 Main Street

Presque Isle

When: Doors open at 12:00 p.m.

The Sen. John McCain presidential campaign is apparently considering the logistics of a visit by Republican vice-presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin and a possible separate visit by her husband Todd.

"I know the McCain professionals are looking to see the logistics for a Todd Palin visit and a Gov. Palin visit," said Rep. Josh Tardy, R-Newport. "It shows how close this thing is really."

Tardy, vice-chairman of the McCain campaign in Maine, said nothing's official yet, and that things change by the hour with the national campaigns. But he thinks both Palins will be well received in the 2nd Congressional District, the new target of concentrated efforts by the McCain campaign.

"It builds momentum and morale," Tardy said.

All in an effort to move those undecided voters into the Republican column.

Maine House Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport, said Friday that the McCain campaign will have a "significant presence" in Maine, particularly in the 2nd Congressional District.

In a phone interview, Tardy said those who live in the massive district that includes Waterville, Lewiston/Auburn, Downeast and northern Maine, will see more television ads and possibly campaign appearances by Sen. John McCain or his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin.

On Thursday, the McCain campaign announced that it would no longer fight Democratic Sen. Barack Obama in Michigan and would be shifting money elsewhere. Among the places mentioned was Maine.

"You think about sort of the demographics and that Congressional District 2 is just loaded with sportsmen and women," Tardy said. "They have a lot in common with Gov. Palin."

Despite double-digit leads for Obama in July and August, a more recent Rasmussen poll pegged the race at 50 percent for Obama and 46 percent for McCain.

Republicans are hoping to pick up at least one of the state's electoral votes because of Maine's unusual system. With four electoral votes to award, Maine gives two to the statewide winner, but each Congressional district can award one as well.

Tardy said a close race nationally means every electoral college vote will count.

"It could very well come down to one electoral vote," he said. "It's a precious commodity."

We ran an Associated Press story today out of Washington that said Republican Sen. John McCain is shifting money to Maine as part of a new strategy to win the presidential election.

He's given up on Michigan and will instead focus on competitive states, including what the AP called "a new push in Maine."

Jen Webber, spokeswoman for the Maine Republican Party and the coordinated campaign for all Republicans in Maine, said this morning that it's an exciting development, but that she's still getting the details herself.

Two weeks ago, a poll from Rasmussen indicated the presidential race in Maine was tightening. Despite double-digit leads for Democratic Sen. Barack Obama in July and August, the more recent poll pegged the race at 50 percent for Obama and 46 percent for McCain.

Republicans are hoping to pick up at least one of the state's electoral votes because of Maine's unusual system. With four electoral votes to award, Maine gives two to the statewide winner, but each Congressional district can award one as well.

For McCain, that means a push in the 2nd Congressional District may be rewarded with an electoral vote, even if he can't carry the whole state. However, Maine has never split its electoral votes, even though this system has been in place since 1972.

Is this the year we'll see a split?

Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe will host a vice-presidential debate watch party tonight at the Portland presidential campaign headquarters for Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, 1037 Forest Ave. Suite 103.

The party starts at 8:45 p.m., according to the Obama folks. This is the only scheduled debate between Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a Republican, and Sen. Joe Biden, a Democrat.

Also tonight, volunteers in Waterville, Bangor and Portland will be calling people before the debate to recruit more helpers and get people registered to vote.

So, where will you be watching the debate? And, who do you think will win?

The presidential campaign of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama has launched a Campus Voter Registration Challenge where Maine colleges are competing to see which school can register the most voters by Oct. 14.

So far, the results show Colby College in the lead with 40 points and 296 total voters registered. Points are awarded based on the highest percentage of students registered, according to the Web site.

To see the scorecard, go to the campus challenge web site.

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?

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.

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.

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 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.

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced today that the campaigns of Barack Obama and John McCain have agreed to hold three presidential debates and one vice-presidential debate.

Here are the details:

The Ralph Nader campaign is scheduled to turn in more than 5,500 signatures to the Maine Secretary of State's Office today in an attempt to get Nader's name listed as a presidential candidate on the November ballot, according to his campaign.

This time, he's running as an independent with a running mate named Matt Gonzalez. Nader announced his campaign in February on "Meet the Press." His campaign says polling numbers show him at 6 percent nationally.

What do you think of him? Will he be a spoiler or does he bring a much-needed outside perspective to the campaign?

Members of the Maine Green Independent Party joined Greens from around the country recently to back former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney as their presidential nominee.

State Party Chairwoman Lynne Williams said in a statement that Maine Greens are getting organized to work on the campaign. Go to mainers4mckinney.org for more information.

"We are so pleased that the national delegates, including our group from Maine, has seen fit to nominate such an accomplished, vibrant woman, with a history of not just supporting Green values, but actively working to bring those values into all that she does in the political realm, as well as her entire life," Williams said.

The presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain on Sunday released the list of Mainers who will work on his campaign.

"John McCain's record of putting his country ahead of partisan politics makes him a perfect fit for Maine's discerning voters," said former Gov. John R. McKernan, Jr., who serves as Honorary State Chair and is also a former First District Congressman.

Here's the complete list:

Toby McGrath, who worked as chief of staff for House Speaker Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, has been named the Obama for America State Director, according to the Maine Democratic Party.

McGrath, of Brunswick, is credited with helping the Democrats pick up seats in the Maine House in 2006 and has worked on various campaigns in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The Obama effort in Maine will also include Jessica Santillo, who is coming over from the Hillary Clinton campaign, where she headed up communications in Iowa, Colorado, Texas and West Virginia.

The party also announced that Ronnie Cho -- who's worked in Iowa, Arizona, Texas and Indiana -- will lead the Maine Campaign for Change as field director. The campaign is designed to get Democrats elected "up and down the ticket," according to the party.

Small business owners and prominent state Republicans will lend their support today to presidential candidate Sen. John McCain’s small business economic plan.

House Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport, Rep. Meredith Strang Burgess, R-Cumberland, and business owner Doug Newman of Hallowell will all be in Portland at DiMIllo’s Floating Restaurant at 2 p.m. to talk about the plan.

Maine’s Ron Paul supporters made a strong showing at the state Republican Convention, even electing one of their own as a delegate to the national convention.

But now that Paul is officially out of the race, who will they support?

As they hire staff and open campaign offices to gear up for November, Maine Republican Party officials say they expect Sen. John McCain to do well in Maine.

Jen Webber, who worked on Peter Cianchette’s campaign for governor in 2002, will lead the GOP communications efforts, focusing mostly on the candidates for federal office from Sen. John McCain on down.

“John McCain is a perfect fit for Maine,” she said.

She thinks the McCain vs. Sen. Barack Obama race will soon heat up in Maine.

“This is going to be a competitive race in here in Maine,” she said. “Maine’s a swing state in this campaign.”

To get ready for the major campaign season, the GOP will open new offices in Lewiston and Bangor as part of its Maine Republican Party Victory 2008 effort, said party Executive Director Julie O’Brien.

Here’s some biographical information supplied by Webber about some of the key hires:

Victory ’08 Maine is led by Ben Gilman, a native of Gorham. Gilman has a long history of Maine-related political experience, most recently as a legislative aide in the Maine Legislature. Gilman has a great deal of experience in campaign field operations, serving as field director for Kevin Raye for Congress in ’02, field coordinator for the Maine Senate Republican Caucus in ’00 and as a field coordinator for Jim Longley for Congress in ‘96.

After three years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., Pete Fullerton recently returned to his home state of Maine to join the Victory ’08 team as Deputy Director. Fullerton has several years of Maine-based political experience. He led field operations for Victory ’04 and State Senator Kevin Raye’s congressional campaign in 2002. As a University of Maine Orono student, Fullerton was Vice Chair of the Maine College Republicans.

Webber joined the Victory ’08 team this week as Communications Director, bringing nearly two decades of political, corporate and nonprofit experience to the job. Most recently, Webber has handled media and public relations in Maine for nonprofit groups and associations. She served as gubernatorial candidate Peter Cianchette’s press secretary in 2002, and handled media and communications for Tax Cap Yes in 2004.

Gov. John Baldacci announced Saturday that he is now using his Superdelegate status to back Sen. Barack Obama.

Baldacci waited until after Sen. Hillary Clinton officially dropped out to switch his allegiance.

Here’s what he said:

"Today I also offer my full support to Sen. Barack Obama for President of the United States. Sen. Obama has proven himself through a competitive primary against a slate of terrific candidates. Today, the Democratic Party is united."

"It's been a long eight years of the Bush administration. We've gone from peace and prosperity to war and economic turmoil. Sen. Obama has demonstrated the leadership necessary to put us back on the right track."

"Sen. Clinton and I have been friends for more than 15 years. She ran a strong campaign, and broke down barriers against long odds. The country is better for her efforts. Now it is time for all of us to work together to put Barack Obama in the White House."

Ralph Nader, an independent candidate for president, will be in southern Maine on Thursday to call for the resignation of President Bush and vice-president Cheney.

At 3:30 p.m., Nader will hold a press conference in Kennebunkport. After that, he’s scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. in Portland at the First Parish of Portland, Unitarian Universalist church on Congress Street.

That will be followed by a rally at 7:30 p.m. at the church.

Nader is making his fifth run for president.

Here’s the full statement put out by U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, who announced today he is using his status as a superdelegate to support Sen. Barack Obama in the race for president.

"I have been friends for a very long time with former President Clinton and Senator Clinton. I respect their service to our nation. Hillary Clinton has run a vigorous campaign and has attracted a passionate following in Maine and around the country. She loves this country and is a true leader. For her service, I am grateful," he said.

"Most of the primary voters across the nation have now spoken. It is time to bring a graceful end to the primary campaign. We now need to unify the Democratic Party and focus on electing Senator Obama and a working majority in the United States Senate. That is how we can change the direction of the country.

"I am running for the U.S. Senate because I believe Maine should lead the change this country needs. I share important priorities with Barack Obama: universal health care, reining in gas and food prices, greater independence from foreign oil, bringing our troops safely home from Iraq, creating jobs and strengthening the middle class."

Allen said Obama is the embodiment of change for Maine and America.

"In February I watched a new generation of Mainers become involved in our nominating process because they were energized and hopeful about the future. I watched Independents and Democrats - and even a lot of Republicans -- in Maine enthusiastically support Barack Obama because they believe he can and will put America back on track," he said.

Obama won Maine's Democratic caucuses in February. His candidacy helped drive record turnout of some 45,000 participants.

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen will announce his choice for president at 10:30 a.m. today in Portland.

As of last week, Allen was one of four Maine superdelegates who had not yet committed to a candidate. He’s scheduled to make the announcement at his campaign headquarters on Forest Avenue.

Check back later for the details on his endorsement.

With a split decision on Tuesday — a win in Indiana and a loss in North Carolina — Sen. Hillary Clinton didn't get the kind of race-changing momentum she needed.

Her opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, said he's now within less than 200 delegates of getting the nomination. And political pundits on Web site such as politico.com say Clinton is supporting "new math" in her quest to get enough delegates.

I’ll be checking in with party officials and political scientists in Maine to see what they think. The Maine Democratic Party State Convention is at the end of the month, and whether there are one or two nominees left in the race could make a big difference.

So, is it time for Clinton to drop out?

Ralph Nader’s announcement on Meet the Press that he’s running for president drew yawns from some and snarky comments from others. But it’s interesting to take a look at how he’s done in Maine, and consider how he’ll do here this time around.

A check of the Secretary of State’s web site shows in 2000, when he ran as a Green Independent, Nader got 5.7 percent of the vote in Maine or 37,127 votes. (Democrat Al Gore took the state with 49 percent of the vote to George Bush’s 44 percent.)

In 2004, representing The Better Life party, Nader got just about 1 percent of the vote in Maine or 8,069 votes. He got more than double what the Green ticket of David Cobb and Maine’s own Pat LaMarche earned. (John Kerry took the state with 54 percent to Bush’s 45 percent.)

So, in 2008, will Nader’s slide continue in Maine? Or will he catch on with those who are tired of the two major parties? How about Ron Paul supporters who are clearly looking for a third option?

Green Party presidential candidate Jesse Johnson of West Virginia stopped by today for a chat about his efforts to win his party’s nomination for president.

Johnson, 48, a self-described actor, filmmaker and artist, toured the state with Pat LaMarche, who ran on the Green Party ticket as vice president four years ago and has twice run for governor of Maine.

Johnson (jesse08.org) is one of four Greens seeking their party’s nomination. For information on all of them, go to gp.org.

Maine Greens are in the middle of their caucusing process, with some cities and towns already having met and others yet to come. Locally, West Gardiner Greens are scheduled to meet Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. at the town office.

Other dates and times are available on the state party Web site, mainegreens.org.

Maine is important to Green candidates because the state sends the second most delegates to the national convention (behind California), LaMarche said.

After a slippery start in southern Maine during the snowstorm, the pair made their way to the Statehouse. Here’s part of our conversation, Q&A style:

On Maine Politics: What brings you to Maine in weather like this?

Johnson: The caucusing is taking place for the Green Party and I just wanted to come up and touch base with folks.

OMP: So tell me a little about yourself.

Johnson: I’ve been an actor, filmmaker, artist. Until last Saturday, I was the state chair of the Mountain Party of West Virginia. In 2004, I ran arguably the most successful campaign for governor in the country of a third party.
In 2006, I ran more of a principled campaign against Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, the longest-serving senator in the history of the United States.
I held the first tripartisan event at the state Capitol in West Virginia in support of public workers. The guy who beat me out for governor had promised them a raise and hadn’t kept that promise so we held that event.
By the end of that day, he gave them their raise.

OMP: Why run for president?

Johnson: I believe this country is at a very dangerous crux in the road and we’re embroiled in an illegal war, we’re breaking treaties, which is unconstitutional.
We are facing the greatest crisis as far as climate, but it’s also our greatest economic opportunity.
The county is in an economic downturn, which I would term a free fall. We simply have got to change direction. There are too many things we’re not facing.

OMP: One of the issues Pat (LaMarche) campaigned on was poverty, and John Edwards emphasized that in his campaign, as well. Where does that fall on your list of things to do?

Johnson: I mentioned the economic downfall, free fall, that we’re in and one big factor to that, including a health care issue, is going to be the returning vets.
These veterans are coming back more physically damaged than ever before in any war. Also, they are coming back with greater and greater cases of post traumatic stress disorder.
Already we treat our veterans atrociously.
What I perceive the great danger is a new Hooverville popping up. The government themselves will tell you there are 300,000 homeless veterans presently. They need help. They need attention.

OMP: Some people still say Ralph Nader helped Bush get elected in 2000, and paint third party candidates as those who might tilt the election in a way that was unintended.
Do you buy that argument? How do you see yourself? Can you win?

Johnson: Well, one citizen equals one vote and in that sense of course I could win. But the problem is the system has gone so far astray, being dominated by a so-called two-party system.
I would argue that we have a one-party system and that it’s dominated by multinational corporations, and that bird is kept afloat by a right wing and a left wing that’s used to divide people.
A third party has the ability to allow people to actually vote their values, their conscience. Those values are what define us. If you vote your values, then whomever takes the mantle of office will have to recognize the power of the idea and the value.
With regard to the spoiler concept, in a broken system I would see us as a definer, not a spoiler.

Winthrop bookstore owner Rita Moran, one of the Maine Democratic Party’s 10 superdelegates, released this statement today to clarify how she intends to cast her vote.

“I believe that, as a superdelegate, I ought to represent those Mainers who went to their local caucuses on Sunday. I am not now pledged to a presidential candidate, and expect to remain unpledged until it becomes clear what other superdelegates will do.

Sixty percent of those who drove through the snow, who waited for hours on lines, and filled crowded rooms to declare their presidential preference at our caucuses voted for Barack Obama, while forty percent declared for Hillary Clinton.

I believe that the minority deserves a voice, as much as the majority does. If fewer than four Maine superdelegates pledge for Senator Clinton, I will join and become the fourth. If fewer than six Maine superdelegates pledge for Senator Obama, I will join them to represent the majority opinion which, I believe, deserves the majority vote.”

Augusta GOP to meet

The Augusta Republican City Committee and all delegates and alternates elected to the state convention will meet Monday at party headquarters, 9 Higgins St. in Augusta.

At 6 p.m., the city GOP committee will meet to review bylaws and recruit volunteers.

Then at 6:45 p.m., Augusta delegates and alternates to the state convention will meet to elect a delegation chairperson and perform other business, said city chairman Chuck Mahaleris.

Calling all Democrats!

Or anyone who traveled to Bangor/Orono/Lewiston Saturday to see Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama or both.

What did you think?

A few quick thoughts:

Clinton’s 9:30 a.m. event in Orono gave those in attendance the chance to see her, hear her positions on several topics and get some level of detail about what she plans to do. We waited in line about 30 minutes outside before getting in, and once she got started, she delivered a polished and information-filled presentation. She took a few questions and answered them thoughtfully.

Obama’s afternoon event had the feel of a rock concert. We waited in line outside for two hours before we could get in, and once we did, it was a mad dash to the nosebleed seats with several thousand people. He was less detailed, and actually poked a little fun at those who criticize him for that by telling people to go to his Web site if they needed more information.

People seemed to adore him. The end of the speech featured a rousing call to believe in hope and not give in to cynicism.

So the question is this: Did either of them win votes (ie delegates) today? Will the huge crowd at the Obama event show up to caucus Sunday?

Speaking of caucuses, if you still need information on where to go, check out the party Web site at mainedems.org.

It's shaping up to be a busy weekend for Maine Democrats.

Here's the schedule as of now, but you may want to check campaign Web sites for changes. Be on the lookout for more Chelsea Clinton events.

Chelsea will campaign for her mother at 6 p.m. Friday at Baggett Lounge on the Bowdoin College campus.

Here’s Sen. Hillary Clinton’s schedule for Saturday:

9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

University of Maine - The Recreation Center, 5797 Recreation Center, Orono

Doors open for this event at 8 a.m.

Then in Lewiston, doors open at noon, and Clinton is expected to take the stage by 1:30. The event is scheduled to last until 4 p.m.

The City of Lewiston Memorial Armory, 65 Central Ave.

For Obama fans, doors for his "Stand for Change" rally open at 2:30 p.m. at the Bangor Auditorium, 100 Dutton St.

For security reasons, don’t bring bags, signs, or banners.

Then on Sunday, Democrats will attend caucuses at hundreds of different locations across the state. To find out more, go to: mainedems.org.

This just in from the Clinton campaign:

Chelsea Clinton will campaign for her mother at 6 p.m. Friday at Baggett Lounge on the Bowdoin College campus. Other events will be held Saturday, but the campaign has yet to release the details.

Here's the rest of the weekend schedule:

On Friday, Sen. Edward Kennedy, who’s here to stump for Sen. Barack Obama, will hold two rallies:

The first is at 11 a.m. in West Living Room, 75 State St., Portland.

The second is 2 p.m. in The Chapel at Bates College, 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Here’s Sen. Hillary Clinton’s schedule for Saturday:

9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

University of Maine - The Recreation Center, 5797 Recreation Center, Orono

Doors open for this event at 8 a.m.

Then in Lewiston, doors open at noon, and Clinton is expected to take the stage by 1:30. The event is scheduled to last until 4 p.m.

The City of Lewiston Memorial Armory, 65 Central Ave.

For Obama fans, doors for his "Stand for Change" rally open at 2:30 p.m. at the Bangor Auditorium, 100 Dutton St.

For security reasons, don’t bring bags, signs, or banners.

Then on Sunday, Democrats will attend caucuses at hundreds of different locations across the state. To find out more, go to: mainedems.org.

As Maine Democrats gear up for caucuses Sunday, both candidates and one notable surrogate will visit the state.

Tonight, former President Bill Clinton will be at the Portland Expo Center at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Sen. Hillary Clinton will be at the University of Maine at Orono Recreation Center at 9:30 a.m.

Also Saturday, Sen. Barack Obama will be at the Bangor Auditorium. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.

A complete list of Democratic caucus times is available on the party Web site at mainedems.org.

Winthrop bookstore owner Rita Moran, who serves as chairwoman of the Kennebec County Democratic Committee, is one of 10 superdelegates in the presidential nominating process.

She, along with Gov. John Baldacci, the state’s two Democratic Congressmen, and other high powered Democrats, get their own vote in the delegate count.

But Moran says she hasn’t been lobbied at all by either of the Democratic contenders.

“I’ve been contacted by media people,” she said. “I haven’t been contacted by campaigns.”

Moran thinks that might be because she’s made it clear that she doesn’t intend to use her power to advance her own beliefs. She feels as though she represents Maine Democrats.

She’s got two strategies in mind for deciding which way to go:

1. She may go with whichever candidate gets the most delegates out of Maine

2. Or she may choose the candidate who puts the most effort into trying to win Maine votes

The second strategy would lean her toward Barack Obama, who has been more active on the ground in Maine than Hillary Clinton, she said.

But she may not choose that strategy, saying she hasn’t “decided which is the moral high ground.”

“I want Maine to matter,” she said. “So often on the national level we have this idea Maine doesn’t matter. I’m pledged to bring Maine to the table.”

Moran may be able to get through Sunday’s caucuses without pledging to one candidate, but it all depends on what happens at her local caucus in Winthrop.

Wearing faded jeans, a bright blue shirt and a black blazer, the 37-year-old son of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney stopped by Duke’s Rotary Barber Shop Friday to shoot the breeze.

Mitt Romney’s oldest son Tagg will visit Duke’s Barber Shop in Augusta Friday as part of a two-day campaign swing through Maine.

He’s also scheduled to attend the Kennebec County Republican Caucus on Saturday at Farrington School.

State Sen. Peter Mills, R-Cornville, who signed up as a Rudy Giuliani supporter, said the former New York mayor ran the only campaign he could, but the odds were against him from the start.

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. today in the Statehouse Hall of Flags.

Paul has a strong core of supporters in Maine who have been organizing their efforts for months. He’ll be here in time to gin up support before the Republican caucuses begin on Friday.

Locally, most Republicans will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at Farrington School in Augusta.

Rita Moran, head of the Kennebec County Democratic Committee, sent out a list of local times and places for Democrats to caucus on Feb. 10.

Here’s what she sent:

Voters registered in the Republican or Green parties wishing to participate in the caucus must change their party affiliation by January 26 at their place of voter registration. Unregistered or unenrolled (independent) voters can register at their local caucus location the day of the event.

Absentee Ballots may be obtained by contacting the Maine Democratic Party at 622-6233 or www.mainedems.org. Individuals or family members can request ballots; they are then mailed out within a day of the request. Completed ballots must be returned to the state party office at 16 Winthrop St. in Augusta no later than February 6.

Below is the Kennebec County caucus schedule. For a list of other places, go to the party Web site at www.mainedems.org.

Caucus Schedule
Albion: 2:00 (note: voter registration at that time), Besse Bldg., 22 Main St. (the Albion Town Office Building, in the Big Room on the main floor.)
Augusta: 4:00, New Cony H.S., 60 Pierce Dr.
Belgrade: 2:30, Center for All Seasons.
Benton: 1:30, Town Office.
Chelsea: 1:00, Town Office.
China: 1:00, Town Office.
Clinton: 1:00, Town Office Banquet Hall.
Farmingdale: 1:30, Town Office.
Fayette: 5:00, Starling Hall.
Gardiner: 1:00, City Hall.
Hallowell: 1:00, Hall-Dale Elementary School, 6 Garden Lane.
Litchfield: 3:00, Town Office.
Manchester: 2:00, Elementary School.
Monmouth: 2:00, Town Office.
Mt. Vernon: 2:00, Mt. Vernon Community Center.
Oakland: 1:00, Fire Station.
Pittston: 2:00, Town Office.
Randolph: 1:00, Town Office.
Readfield: 4:00, Town Office.
Rome: 5:00, Rome Community Center.
Sidney: 3:00, Sidney Town Office.
Vassalboro: 2:00, Town Office Conference Room.
Vienna: 3:30, Community Center.
West Gardiner: 1:00, Town Office.
Waterville: doors open 2:00, agenda begins 2:45, voting at 3:30; High School.
Wayne: 2:00, Elementary School.
Windsor: 1:30, Town Office.
Winslow: 2:00, Town Office.
Winthrop: 4:00, Town Office Multipurpose Room.

Local Mike Huckabee supporters are getting together tonight (Tuesday) to get organized for the presidential campaign.

The central Maine kickoff meeting is set for 6-8 p.m. at the Ground Round on Community Drive, near the civic center. The volunteers want to meet each other and plan strategy for the upcoming Republican caucuses on Feb. 1, 2, and 3.

After winning Iowa, the former Arkansas governor finished third in New Hampshire. Time will tell how he’ll do today in Michigan and Saturday in South Carolina, a key race for the Southern Republican.

If you want to check out the local supporters online, go to:
mikehuckabee.meetup.com/318

Ken Lindell, who’s heading up efforts for Ron Paul’s presidential campaign in Maine, wants to let Democrats know that Tuesday (Jan. 15) is the last day they can change their party affiliation if they want to participate in the Republican caucuses.

The caucuses are set for Feb. 1, 2, and 3.

Lindell, a former Republican state lawmaker from Frankfort, said he doesn’t think “a huge number of Democrats” will make the switch, but he wanted to let people know about the deadline.

“Frankly, all we’re trying to do is encourage people who support Dr. Paul and are registered as Democrats to come back to the Republican Party,” he said.

Lindell said he thinks Paul is a viable candidate.

“I think he’s got a great chance given the totally open nature of the Republican contest,” he said.

Stateline.org has an interesting story on governors making their picks in the presidential race.

The story talks about what chief executives hope to gain by backing certain candidates, and lists who’s lined up with whom.

Last month, Gov. John Baldacci announced he’s on board with Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Check out the full story here

As it gets closer to Maine’s presidential preference caucuses — Republicans are set for Feb. 1, 2, 3, and Democrats Feb. 10 — campaigns are announcing their local supporters.

Here’s who’s backing former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

State Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Perry, is leading the Maine team.

The Mitt Romney campaign announced its Maine Steering Committee on Wednesday, just one month before Maine Republicans will caucus on the presidential candidates.

Sen. Doug Smith, R-Dover-Foxcroft, is among the seven member committee, and said he likes Romney because he is a fiscal conservative.

“I think he’s got a good vision for Maine and the country,” he said. “He is very articulate. He gives a very good appearance. That is a formula for a winner.”

Two local Ron Paul supporters said this week that they are standing by their man — and they definitely want him to stay in the race as a Republican.

Paul, the Texas congressman running on a presidential platform of freedom, is in single digits in most polls heading into the start of the primary and caucus season next month.

But Nancy Lawrence of Augusta and Robert Wallace of Farmingdale say they don’t believe the polls or the main stream media when it comes to the presidential election.

As endorsement announcements go, this was a low-key affair.

At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign sent out a press release announcing that Gov. John Baldacci would support her bid for president.

There were a couple of quotes from Baldacci, with some background about his Dirigo Health program.

University of Maine at Farmington political science professor Jim Melcher said people may buy books based on Oprah’s recommendations, but they aren’t likely to rush right out and vote for a certain candidate.

Melcher said the talk show icon’s weekend appearances for Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama put fans in the stands, and that’s not a bad thing.

“It’s going to spur people to pay attention to him that might not otherwise do so,” he said.

Green Independent Pat LaMarche, who has run for governor twice and vice president once, said she’ll never run again, though she’s willing to help other Greens take the plunge.

“I’m never running for anything ever again as long as I live, or even longer,” LaMarche said this week.

Her comments came during an interview about a visit to Maine by one of the Green Party’s presidential candidates, former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney.

The Iowa caucus is 38 days away.

The New Hampshire primary is 43 days away.

It’s time to start giving the Republican field a hard look.

If you’re planning to watch the Republican debate on CNN Wednesday night, drop me a line. I’d like to talk to you sometime Thursday morning to get your take on it.

Send me your phone number via e-mail — scover@centralmaine.com— and the best time to reach you.

Thanks, and enjoy!

Kennebec County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Rita Moran knows Hillary, Barack, John and the others aren’t going to come to Augusta for a debate.

So she’s lined up surrogates to represent them, and is holding a debate of her own on Thursday.

This is your chance, Maine political junkies. Make us proud.

The next major debate on the presidential scene comes later this month, when Republicans match wits in Florida.

It’s also another chance for average joes to ask questions of the candidates courtesy of CNN and YouTube.