AUGUSTA -- Rep. Tom Saviello stood on the Statehouse steps Monday to say he's leading a new group called Maine Citizens for McCain.

Saviello, a Wilton independent, is a former Democrat who dropped his party affiliation in 2005. He said he likes U.S. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, because he's independent-minded.

"I'm not a Johnny-come-lately," Saviello said. "I was with him even through what I call the dark days of last summer. The most important thing to me is he walks across the aisle."

The "Citizens for McCain" group is part of a national effort to attract support from Democrats and independents. Saviello, who is running for re-election to the Maine House of Representatives against Democrat Maxine Collins of Wilton, said he will do whatever he's asked to help McCain do well in Maine.

"I think we've got a great opportunity here if we're smart because we can bring change," he said.

House Speaker Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, said Democrats and Republicans are both making efforts to appeal to unaffiliated voters.

In Maine, those who are unenrolled in any political party are the largest voting bloc, with 375,235 voters. That's followed by Democrats with 309,525, Republicans with 279,641 and Green Independents with 23,347 registered voters.

Cummings said Saviello's House votes show he sides with Republicans on most issues.

"This feels a little more like a Republican endorsing a Republican," he said.

Saviello said he doesn't put any stock in polls that show Democratic U.S. Sen. Barack Obama leads in Maine.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey released Aug. 15 shows Obama leading 49 percent to 36 percent. If "leaners" are included, Obama leads 53 percent to 39 percent.

"I think as people begin to look at and start making fair comparisons, it's not going to make any difference," he said.

As for the campaign so far, Saviello said it's gotten rough.

"I think it's nasty already," he said. "I think people have been dealing with this campaign for over 18 months. People in some ways are tired of this. They want to get on with it. If we could vote today, people would be excited. Let's vote. Let's get on with life."

Susan Cover -- 621-5642

scover@centralmaine.com