George Mitchell

Maine hasn't elected a Republican Congressman since 1994, when James Longley beat Dennis Dutremble 52%-48% for the seat vacated by Tom Andrews (D). Mr. Andrews ran for the US Senate Seat once George Mitchell(D) decided not to seek reelection. Andrews eventually lost to Olympia Snowe (R), who previously held the Congressional seat in the Second District.

Tom Allen beat Longley by ten points two years later.

I attended my first political "house party" in 1994 when I was a senior in college. It was hosted by one of former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell's brothers for would-be Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Brennan (Brennan eventually lost the general election to Independent Angus King).  I was invited because I was a member of the Colby Democrats and the Brennan campaign was trying to recruit volunteers in the Waterville area.

I was interested in going because, up until that point, the closest contact I'd had to a political house party was eating lunch every Sunday at my uncle's house in Sanford; he was a local Selectman, hardly a mover and shaker in the political world, to say the least.

LEWISTON -- Former Gov. Angus King, an independent, said that he will not be picking sides in the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Sen. Susan Collin (R-Bangor) and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland).

“I know and like both of them,” King said.

On the other hand, former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, a Democrat, said he expects it to be a close race.

“I think that Allen will win,” Mitchell said, “But it’s always difficult running against an incumbent.”

Both King and Mitchell were in Lewiston this morning to endorse Barack Obama for President.

Angus King: Former Gov. Angus King endorses Barack Obama in Lewiston Friday. Politicker photo.LEWISTON -- Playing on the message that Barack Obama has appeal beyond the party base, former Gov. Angus King, an independent, endorsed the Democratic Presidential candidate this morning.

Also endorsing was state Rep. Richard Woodbury, an independent from Yarmouth.

King, who served two terms as Governor from 1995 to 2002, said that he has traditionally voted for both Democrats and Republicans.

Friday morning “a prominent figure in Maine” will endorse Barack Obama for President. Any guesses as to who this might be?

The announcement will take place at the University of Maine’s Lewiston/Auburn Campus at 9:30 Friday morning.

Possible clues:

Gwethalyn Phillips, a delegate for Barack Obama, said she was reminded of why she got into politics when she saw Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) address the Democratic National Convention last night.

“I remember when John Kennedy decided to put us on the moon, and challenged Americans to do that,” Phillips said. “Ted Kennedy brought a lot of that back to us last night.”

Of Michelle Obama’s speech, Phillips said that she was “so human, and so incredible.”

Phillips got into politics during the 1960s women’s movement and protesting the Vietnam War.

Governor Rendell was attending the National Governor's Association and was asked by Human Events magazine who he thought would make a good VP choice for Senator Obama. In addition to a few of the usual suspects,he also mentioned, George Mitchell --which would be like bringing your dad to freshman orientation.

Governor Rendell was also asked who he thought Senator McCain should pick for his running mate. Rendell said he should go with "a governor with a background in economic issues," citing Mitt Romney as the obvious choice --which would be like bringing your son to an open house at the The Villages.

Former Maine Senator George Mitchell has made the Time 100 list – a ranking of the world’s most influential people. He is included in the “heroes and pioneers” section.

Mitchell, a Democrat, represented Maine in the U.S. Senate for 14 years, becoming majority leader. After he left in 1995, President Clinton made him special envoy to Northern Ireland, where he was put in charge of taming secretarian violence.

Most recently, he headed up an investigation into steroid abuse in Major League Baseball. The report was released last December.

Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell is in the running for Time magazine’s list of the World’s 100 Most Influential People.

Mitchell was a senator from Maine from 1980 to 1994 and now lives in New York.

Katie Couric interviewed former Maine Senator George Mitchell on March 10th and CBS has since posted the transcript. The interview focused on Hillary’s experience. The most interesting line of questioning from Ms. Couric was on the question of Senator Mitchell’s super delegate status.