Polls to determine RNC’s efforts in Maine, official says

Frank Donatelli: Politicker photo.MINNEAPOLIS -- Frank Donatelli, deputy chairman of the Republican National Committee, said the party will target more blue states this year, but is waiting to see what the polls say before deciding what resources to expend in Maine.

Maine is a traditional blue state, with Democrat John Kerry getting 53 percent of the vote to President Bush’s 44 percent in 2004. The state splits its electoral votes, with each Congressional district getting one vote and the two remaining votes going to the overall winner.

In the first district in 2004, Kerry got 55 percent to Bush’s 43 percent. This district will likely go to Barack Obama.

The 2nd Congressional District is more moderate. In 2004, Kerry got 51 percent to Bush’s 45 percent. It’s there that Republicans say John McCain has a shot.

Donatelli said the RNC will look at the polls as Election Day nears.

“If the 2nd Congressional District in Maine looks like it’s in play, we’ll play,” Donatelli said.

He added: “We’re not giving up anywhere. We think this ticket is really interesting and we have the ability to put some regions in play that might not have been competitive for the last few years.”

The RNC is aggressively targeting New Hampshire because John McCain did well in the primary there, Donatelli said. They are also looking at the Midwest – Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. “There’s a segment in those states that will not accept Barack Obama, the blue collar, working class, Catholic Democrats.”