L. Sandy Maisel (Sept. 12) reports that the closing of the Washington Bureau of the Portland Press Herald has left us with "no one to give an objective assessment of the work in Washington done by our representatives and senators. Our electoral choice is thus compromised."

Well, not quite true. Project Vote Smart publishes the Voter's Self-Defense Manual, which contains the voting record and policies of all the incumbents in Congress.

A copy of the 2008 edition of the manual can be obtained by calling (888) VOTE-SMArt (868-3762) or accessing the Web site www.votesm art.org.

Project Vote Smart is a non-partisan organization supported by 33 well-known people, including former presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, the late Sen. Barry Goldwater and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and more than 100,000 not-so-well-known Americans.

The Political Courage Test results found in the manual is an example of information about our senators and congressmen.

It asks one central question: "Are you willing to tell citizens your positions on the issues you will most likely face on their behalf?"

This is based on their positions in 2006, at the time of the last general election.

Those results for Maine: Sen. Susan Collins failed test; Sen. Olympia Snowe, U. S. Reps. Tom Allen and Michael Michaud all passed.

Just this much information tells me it is more likely that Allen will do as he promises than will Collins.

Darwin Hatheway

Hallowell