John Edwards

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud endorsed John Edwards early in the presidential campaign.

When Edwards dropped out, Michaud entered vast realm of “uncommitted superdelegates”, the subject of virtually every pundit debate and a buzz word in political circles.

Following Edwards’ endorsement of Barack Obama, Michaud has decided to remain uncommitted.

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen endorsed Obama on Monday, helping to put him in the lead with superdelegates.

PolitickerME surveyed 88 random people about their political views and attitudes toward the media during last weekend’s rallies and caucuses.

Of them, 29 were Hillary Clinton supporters, 46 were Barack Obama supporters, and 13 did not specify a preferred candidate.

UPDATED 4:45 PM with comments from Rep. Jeremy Fischer

With presidential candidates John Edwards and Rudy Giuliani dropping out so close to the Maine caucuses, supporters are looking to other candidates.

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud endorsed Edwards in October. Spokeswoman Monica Castellanos said he will back another candidate, she’s just not sure who or when.

Caucus countdown

4 days for the Republicans (Feb. 1-3)

13 days for the Democrats (Feb. 10)

About this series:

PolitickerME is beginning our coverage of the February presidential caucuses. We will provide frequent updates as to what is planned.

Send tips to jessica.alaimo@politickerme.com

Although Dennis Kucinich has dropped out of the presidential race, supporters are still being encouraged to caucus for him...

New Page officials announced today that they are shutting down the #11 paper machine at the Rumford mill, and with it goes about 60 jobs.

Today’s news has people talking about trade policy, as they make their picks for a presidential candidate. Many union workers favor John Edwards.

New Page closed paper machines in Maine, Wisconsin and Ohio. Most of the 660 job cuts were in Wisconsin.

Chuck Rocha, national political director for USW, said he expects Edwards to make a statement on the mill closings in Nevada tonight.

Edwards’ schedule only stretches through the South Carolina caucuses, and Rocha said he does not know if he will visit any of the mill sites.

SOMERSWORTH, N.H. –On the surface canvassing would appear to be a simple process. Walk up to a house, bang on the door, suck up whatever response you get, repeat.

But in New Hampshire it’s a science. Campaigns spend hours mulling over voter lists, creating maps, drawing diagrams, analyzing data. All to make sure the right doors are knocked on.

And the people tolerate it without much fanfare.

Saturday morning I found myself in Dover N.H., in a van with two state representatives, a Portland school board member and a lobbyist. I’m following this group of Mainers as they volunteer for John Edwards.

Gov. John Baldacci has officially endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination.

“It will take a leader with Hillary’s strength and experience to bring the change that America needs,” he said this weekend in a statement. “She will be ready to lead on her first day in office.”

Baldacci is the eighth governor to endorse Clinton.

Other Maine officials have spoken for a number of candidates. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins have both endorsed John McCain for the Republican nomination. A number of leading legislators, including Senate President Beth Edmonds, have endorsed John Edwards. Speaker of the House Glenn Cummings has endorsed Barack Obama.

Gov. John Baldacci expects to announce who he will endorse for the Democratic presidential nominee by the first of the year, but said Monday that he is leaning toward Sen. Hillary Clinton.

He said that, for him, foreign and economic policies are the most important issues, and having experience is important.

“The world is fragile, there’s a lot of unrest,” Baldacci said. “It requires leadership to rise up in a global economy.”

Shalom Odokara, a prominent womens rights activist in Maine, represented the Obama campaignA couple of presidential hopefuls have stopped in Maine, but face it -- we’re not a priority state for the candidates.

We’re definitely not an ideal location for a debate anytime soon.

Thursday night, though, the Kennebec County Democrats hosted a surrogate debate at Augusta City Hall, gathering local campaign workers and volunteers to speak on their behalf, all who consider themselves “avid supporters”.

In the end, the county group asked for donations. The campaign collecting the most could keep the money. The rest would go to the Kennebec County Democrats. John Edwards’ campaign took home $147 ($135 from one person.) The Democrats got $75.

Four surrogates came, though representatives from all the Democratic campaigns were invited.