BREAKING: Snowe not running!!!!

[Senator Kalwejt]

Chandler Woodcock for Senate!

[smoltchanov]

Peter Mills seems like the best candidate, but I'm not sure he wants to run again after losing to LePage in 2010's primary.

I thought about him. But he is almost 70 if i remember correctly

[redcommander]

Peter Mills seems like the best candidate, but I'm not sure he wants to run again after losing to LePage in 2010's primary.

I thought about him. But he is almost 70 if i remember correctly

. Perhaps Steve Abbott then? He is close with Collins, so they would probably work well together if he were elected.

[Big DaddyTX]

I was sad when I read this yesterday afternoon. She was one of my favorite Senators.

[smoltchanov]

Peter Mills seems like the best candidate, but I'm not sure he wants to run again after losing to LePage in 2010's primary.

I thought about him. But he is almost 70 if i remember correctly

. Perhaps Steve Abbott then? He is close with Collins, so they would probably work well together if he were elected.

May be. But he ran 4th in 2010 Gubernatorial primary. Obviously not so bad, taking into consideration that LePage was (as i said earlier) "carried by very strong (then, not now) tea-party movement") and Otten, Mills and Abbott were only 2-3% apart... (All 3 were moderates BTW... Moderates and conservatives split vote almost equally, but moderate vote was much more split)). Serious candidate (especially if Democrats nominate Pingree), but we shall see whether he can quickly raise neccessary campaign funds

[redcommander]

Peter Mills seems like the best candidate, but I'm not sure he wants to run again after losing to LePage in 2010's primary.

I thought about him. But he is almost 70 if i remember correctly

. Perhaps Steve Abbott then? He is close with Collins, so they would probably work well together if he were elected.

May be. But he ran 4th in 2010 Gubernatorial primary. Obviously not so bad, taking into consideration that LePage was (as i said earlier) "carried by very strong (then, not now) tea-party movement") and Otten, Mills and Abbott were only 2-3% apart... (All 3 were moderates BTW... Moderates and conservatives split vote almost equally, but moderate vote was much more split)). Serious candidate (especially if Democrats nominate Pingree), but we shall see whether he can quickly raise neccessary campaign funds

Hmmm... Peter Cianchette seems like a stronger candidate in that case. He has an edge on is that he has statewide recognition from running for Governor in 2002, and actually did better than Baldacci in Portland, where any Republican running is going to need to do well (especially against Pingree).

[smoltchanov]

Hmmm... Peter Cianchette seems like a stronger candidate in that case. He has an edge on is that he has statewide recognition from running for Governor in 2002, and actually did better than Baldacci in Portland, where any Republican running is going to need to do well (especially against Pingree).

I don't remember whether Ciancette is  a moderate (required, if there won't be strong Independent candidate, and may be - even in that case). But if he was able to do well in Portland - probably yes...

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Looks like Michaud is in. Smart move, getting in front of Pingree.

[Holmes]

I wouldn't like Michaud, but whatever.

I don't think it's that Pingree is "too liberal" for Maine, but it's just something about her that rubs people the wrong way. I'd be behind her daughter Hannah if she went for it, though.

[Californian Tony]

Wow, I really didn't expect this. Excellent news.

[MilesC56]

Looks like Michaud is in. Smart move, getting in front of Pingree.

Good.

I'd say its Likely D with Michaud, Slight/Lean D with Pingree.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

Politico's headline: The Center Crumbles

I hate pundits.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

I wouldn't like Michaud, but whatever.

I don't think it's that Pingree is "too liberal" for Maine, but it's just something about her that rubs people the wrong way. I'd be behind her daughter Hannah if she went for it, though.

There's been a lot of whining on DKE about how Michaud is "the right fit for his district, but not for the state as a whole" and how he's "putting his seat in jeopardy" if he runs. Never mind the fact that his district is only a couple points less Democratic than the state. I don't think Maine is the right state to run someone like Pingree, especially since she has the Tom Allen "Portland liberal" label hung around her neck.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Oh, and whoever's running will have to get in right away, because the filing deadline is in two weeks.

[Senator Napoleon]

Michaud sucks. The right wingers already got Kaine, give us something semi-decent in Maine.

[MilesC56]

Red Racing Horses is trying to bring Bill Cohen, Collins' predecessor, out of retirement.

[HST1948]

Pingree and Baldacci also take out papers for a run.

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/02/29/politics/mike-michaud-enters-senate-race/

[Vosem]

Republican state Senator Debra Plowman just filed to run for Michaud's open 2nd district seat; Kevin Raye seems to be most likely Republican candidate.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/Snowe-decision-sets-off-scramble.html

If Raye can consolidate the Republicans (doubtful, but who knows), maybe we can take advantage of a bloody three-way D primary. Would like to see polling, as well.

[greenforest32]

Michaud sucks. The right wingers already got Kaine, give us something semi-decent in Maine.

[asexual trans victimologist]

Does this mean both House seats might be open?

[Senator Kalwejt]

Politico's headline: The Center Crumbles

I hate pundits.

What "center"?

[Vosem]

Does this mean both House seats might be open?

Both House seats are open. Meanwhile, former Governor Angus King (1995-2003) apparently considering running as 'moderate' independent. The Democratic field looks set; Governor Paul lePage apparently wants Peter Cianchette (2002 gubernatorial loser) to be the Republican nominee; Cianchette is considering, but state Treasurer Bruce Poliquin says he's 'likely'. Several other names are 'considering', including state Senate Majority Leader Kevin Raye (currently running in the 2nd), former Susan Collins CoS Steve Abbott (lost gubernatorial primary in 2010), and Secretary of State Charlie Summers, who did unexpectedly well in the 1st district in 2008. Cianchette is probably a more likely consensus candidate than Raye; a damaging three-way Democratic primary between Pingree, Michaud, and Baldacci seems guaranteed, so perhaps Cianchette could benefit from that. Alternatively, Republicans could match Democrats tit-for-tat in the field of damaging primaries. And, of course, King remains very popular.

[redcommander]

It would be hilarious if both Michaud and Pingree's seats went for the GOP, and Republicans held the senate seat with someone more right-wing.

[Χahar]

Politico's headline: The Center Crumbles

I hate pundits.

I'd love to see whatever it is that Olympia Snowe represents crumble.

[Ogre Mage]

While the partisan in me is extremely glad to see Snowe retire, she was a Republican whose first instinct was to modulate rather than throw red meat to the base and on cultural issues she frequently parted company with the party line.  I've read that she felt isolated and unwanted in the Republican caucus and really, who wants to stay where they are not wanted?  I wish her well in her retirement.