Chris of Harpswell, ME If you really want to have an impact for the first District in Congress, I suggest voting for a moderate Democrat instead of yet another far-out liberal like Tom Allen. For example this past week a relatively small group of moderate and conservative Democrats in the House, called the "Blue Dogs", held up a major supplemental appropriation bill.

This is perhaps the last major spending bill of the year and while the "Blue Dog" Democrats were bargaining and gaining a much exaggerated influence for their district on the bill, far-out liberals like Tom Allen could only stand by and watch. Maine is a poor state with many federal needs and we can't afford to have another far-out liberal bystander in Congress.

The two moderate Democrats seem to be Steve Meister or Adam Cote, although in general the "Issues" section of some of the candidates are very sketchy. For example Ethan Strimling lists such sketchy issues on his campaign web-site it's hard to tell what he's running on. What the District needs is a moderate Democrat who can make strategic votes in order to improve the district's bargaining position and collect when the time is right, for example for more heating assistance.report abuse

Joe Schmoe of Augusta, ME Excellent piece! Everyone should read these words. This has been the problem for years. People not becoming familiar with the candidates. Of course, the candidates don't help matters any. Each approaches the microphone and tells how he/she will solve all of our problems, but they never tell you how. You're left standing in the voting booth with your fingers crossed as you mark your ballot.

One of my sayings is "just once!" Just once I'd like to be able to step into the voting booth excited about a candidate I'm about to vote for. Not having to vote for the candidate whom I dislike the least.
Are you listening candidates?report abuse