Is your Lt. Gov. worse than mine?

[Kevinstat]

Maine Senate President Beth Edmonds, who would become Governor if Governor Baldacci died or resigned before December of next year, is very liberal and is regarded by some as not having the proper credentials of someone in her position (she's a retired or on leave children's librarian), but she seems like a nice lady and must have decent political skills, as she defeated a former 19-year state House Speaker for the gig.  That former Speaker, John Martin, had given up the speakership under pressure in 1994, but had seemed to have reestablished and slightly reinvented himself politically and was someone I believe many expected to be elected.  Edmonds is elligible for another term both in the Senate and as Senate President and represents a Democratic-leaning district, but the Republicans seem positioned to mount another strong challenge for control of the Senate next fall and there are several V.I.P.s among the Democrats in the Senate who could be strong challengers for the top spot if the Democrats kept the majority and they saw an opportunity.