‘Party like it’s June 11th’

Disclaimer: PolitickerME.com does not condone choosing a Congressional candidate based on their party planning abilities. The following information should be used for entertainment purposes only.

The Augusta Civic Center was littered with flyers for parties taking place in hospitality suites around the venue. “Bring your friends and party like it’s June 11th!!!” read a flyer for Ethan Strimling’s party.

PolitickerME took the liberty of rating the parties. The verdict? U.S. Reps. Tom Allen and Mike Michaud, and House candidate Ethan Strimling know how to throw a good party. But others could use some work.

Ethan Strimling – Final score: 9

Food: They had the usual cheese platter and fruit plate, but a pleasant surprise in a chafer: mini quiches. Delicious. They were running low at about a quarter to nine when PolitickerME stopped by, so those who didn't go early missed out. Score: 8

Atmosphere: One of two suites at the convention with a band (Dennis Bailey's band, nonetheless). As the evening went on, a make-shift dance floor was created. PolitickerME waited a little while with a camera, hoping to judge Ethan’s dancing ability, but alas, he stayed in the back. Score: 10

Crowd: Consistently packed whenever PolitickerME stopped by. Diverse group, but the suite seemed to attract the younger crowd. Strimling had a bigger room, so it was still easy to move around. Score: 9

Tom Ledue – Final score: 4.6

Food: There was the usual cheese platter and fruit plate. But convention staff were taking away three chafers, an indication that something better had been consumed before PolitickerME arrived, so we’ll give a few more points for that. Score: 6

Atmosphere: Very low-key with nothing special. Likely, after a long day, a lot of delegates appreciated the quiet. Score: 4

Crowd: Not bad for a long-shot Senate candidate. He had a small room and about 20 people filled the tables. Many of them looked like they were spending some time there, instead of the party-hopping crowd that lingered by the door at many of the other suites. Score: 4

Chellie Pingree – Final score – Final score: 5

Food: The usual fruit and cheese plates, plus a vegetable plate and chips and salsa. There was still plenty left by 9 p.m., when a lot of rooms were running out. Score: 6

Atmosphere: An effort was made to decorate the room with colors matching Pingree’s campaign signs. There was music coming from a stereo, but not so loud that you couldn’t hear yourself speak. Score: 6

Crowd: Sorry Chellie, but with the amount you raised this campaign PolitickerME hoped you would have had a bigger room. The suite had a big crowd, but with such a small space it was hard to navigate without bumping into someone. That would be acceptable for a high-profile rally, but not here. Score: 3

Michael Brennan – Final score: 7.3

Food: Cake and ice cream – pleasing to this PolitickerME reporter, who has had a sweet tooth as of late. By 9 p.m. many rooms were running out of refreshments, and Brennan’s room still had plenty left. Score: 9

Atmosphere: Some decorations, nothing special. Quiet music, and lots of space to sit and move around. Score: 7

Crowd: There were about 20 people when PolitickerME came in. It seemed thinner, however, because the room was huge. Score: 6

Tom Allen and Mike Michaud – Final score: 9.6

Food: Nothing special on the food front, just cheese and fruit. This suite gets a perfect score, however, because everyone walking in got a ticket for a free Shipyard, which was donated. Score: 10

Atmosphere: Dim lights and a jam band. This room was clearly the place to be of the convention. The only complaint was that it was too loud to hold a conversation. Score: 9

Crowd: The large room was consistently filled, but not overcrowded. Kudos to the Congressmen sticking around and mingling for as long as they did – they always had a crowd of people around them. Score: 10

Mark Lawrence – Final score: 3

Food: Just a fruit plate. Score: 2

Atmosphere: Very quiet and low key, with some Lawrence signage scattered about the place. PolitickerME appreciated this, as the room was sandwiched in between the legislative caucus and the Allen/Michaud room, and made for a good retreat. Score: 4

Crowd: Very sparse, never saw more than 10 people in there. Score: 3

State House and Senate caucus room – Final score: 6.3

Food: Nothing special, cheese, fruit and vegetables. Score: 4

Atmosphere: No décor, no entertainment, but lots of good conversation. Score: 5

Crowd: As mentioned above, PolitickerME does not favor crowded parties, and this one fell into that category. However, this party was a who’s who in the state Legislature, thus this reporter was able to catch up with lots of sources and even walked out with a hot story tip. That alone warrants a perfect score. Score: 10

Adam Cote – Final score: 5.3

Food: Nothing at all. Not one piece of cheese or fruit. However, they do get credit for keeping the bar open later when a lot of parties were closing up. Score: 5

Atmosphere: A few signs and fliers here and there but nothing special. Score: 3

Crowd: The room was consistently filled, but not crowded, whenever PolitickerME peeked in. PolitickerME heard Cote giving his pitch to people several times, indicating that lots of voters wandered in. Score: 8