Strimling blasts Scontras again, this time in the blogosphere

The debate over illegal immigration remains heated between First Congressional District candidates Ethan Strimling, a Democrat, and Dean Scontras, a Republican.

Sunday Strimling posted a blog on the leftist sites The Daily Kos and Turn Maine Blue, calling a recent letter by Scontras on the topic xenophobic, and the topic insignificant to Mainers.

“With 140,000 people uninsured in our state, it would make sense that Maine people care a little more about universal health care coverage, than they do about the possibility of fewer than 2,500 people in Maine working without documentation,” Strimling wrote.

He accused Scontras of using the issue as a publicity stunt.

“But when you stir up trouble around immigration these days, you are treading on very dangerous ground,” he wrote.

He later added: “So please be careful; your politics, however well-intentioned, can end up threatening the livelihoods and even the lives of hard-working Maine folks who have come here from other countries - Sudan, Ethiopia, Mexico, ..... - to try to live the American dream.”

Spokesman Michael Pajak said Scontras is not anti-immigration, as Strimling implies. Scontras is anti-law breaking, illegal immigrants. He opposes allowing them to obtain drivers' licenses.

Pajak said the Scontras campaign will likely post a link to Strimling’s post, as it bring credibility to the campaign.

“To respond to Dean’s call to ask the governor to rescind his Executive Order is smart politics,” given the media coverage, Pajak said.

“We are wondering where the other folks are,” he added.