Convention highlights

There's a lot to say about this past weekend's Maine Republican Convention. Here's the Inside Edge on what was most memorable, according to many of the convention-goers who were right there.

Thanks to those of you who sent your own updates keeping me informed of many of the details that found their way into this post.

Schedule? We don't need no stinkin' schedule!

The Maine GOP hierarchy lost control of their own convention timeline. Whether it was the fault of Chairman Mark Ellis and Executive Director Julie O'Brien or the long-winded tendencies of Republican politicians and activists, who can say? Regardless, elections for National Committeeman and Committeewoman moved along at a snail's pace, Olympia Snowe's speech took longer than Astroturf takes to grow, and the House Republican demonstration, in which every candidate each remarked on their upcoming race, competed for most yawns. As a result, Congressional candidates were shortchanged, Mark Ellis turned down his opportunity to address the convention and convention business usually taken up by delegates was turned over to the state committee for future consideration.

A tale of two videos

The drama surrounding the Republican Congressional primary campaigns of Dean Scontras and Charlie Summers fueled the excitement. Scontras and Ruth Summers (campaigning for her husband serving in Iraq) were each scheduled to speak for 10 minutes on Friday, but were asked to shorten their remarks after elections for Committeeman and Committeewoman went long. The Summers camp cut down its video and Ruth cut down her speech. Scontras, who spoke after Ruth, played his full video, received a lengthy introduction by local radio talk show host Ray Richardson, and began a speech that was so long that party officials had to cut his mic. This drew a mix of applauds and boos, an on-stage tirade by Ray Richardson, and a very irritated Summers campaign. The controversy lasted into Saturday morning with radio talk show host Kevin Crocker hearing from Dean about the mic cutting, and taking calls from Summers' supporters like State Senator Paula Benoit who praised the decision. Things settled down later that day, however, when both Dean and Ruth were given another opportunity to address the convention, without any time restrictions.

Carol Weston shines

This convention went well at least for one person, Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston kicked off the festivities hosting a well-attended breakfast fundraiser at the Senate GOP headquarters in Augusta, and continued her successes throughout the convention weekend. Her BRIEF remarks introducing the Senate candidates were upbeat and energized the entire civic center, and stood in stark contrast to the House Republicans' lengthy, monotone demonstration that sent people scrambling for a pillow as every single candidate stepped up to the mic for an introduction. And to ice the cake, Weston received more votes for national convention delegate than anyone else, beating House Republican Leader Josh Tardy, Olympia Snowe, Jock McKernan and Charlie Summers.

New kids on the block

Maine Leads, the group behind automatic phone calls blasting Bill Diamond for voting for the beer tax, and the Southport school board and board of selectmen for breaking the school budget validation law, turned the convention into their coming out party. Championing three citizen initiatives (new TABOR, vehicle excise tax cuts, and health insurance choices), Maine Leads staff was collecting petition signatures and signing people up for their mailing list. According to their website, the group, which claims non-partisanship but is staffed with former Republican hacks, was formed to promote lower taxes and government transparency.

Susan rocks out

Senator Susan Collins, facing what pundits outside of Maine believe to be a tough race against Tom Allen, delivered her address to the convention; showcasing what few other Republican Senators around the country can boast: the support of the Firefighters Union. After her remarks, streamers fell, balloons flew, and "Still the One" blasted from the speakers. The rhythm got to Maine's junior Senator, and she began dancing on stage with her firefighters dancing backup. It was a moment Kodak would have been proud to capture, and a campaign managers worst nightmare. The Senator even managed a reference to politickerme in her speech.

Mitt returns the favor

Back in the days when the Republican presidential primary was still a contest, Mitt Romney trounced his three other rivals (McCain, Paul and Huckabee, in that order) in the Maine caucuses, winning 52% of the vote. At the convention on Friday night, Mitt returned the favor, delivering the best political speech of the entire convention and putting to shame his remarks and addresses when he was a contender for President. Afterwards, the phrase "he was very presidential" was heard throughout the civic center. Mitt has done his best to reach out to Mainers and his efforts have paid off. After his speech at the convention, Mitt can ink Maine into his "most friendly" column.