The Endorsement Game Kicks Off
You will, I hope, forgive the short absence. Thanksgiving weekend was a very busy one and I have now just started to catch up on work.
Yesterday, Bruce Poliquin kicked off the endorsement game by announcing that he had received the support of Representative Tyler Clark of Easton.
Clark is a freshman representative, and is currently the youngest Republican in the Legislature. A business student in college, he will be graduating from the University of Maine (Presque Isle) in the spring. In the 2008 election, Clark won with 67% of the vote – a triumph considering that in 2006 he ran for the seat and lost to Democrat Jacqueline Lundeen.
In the release, Clark explained his endorsement:
“Maine will face tremendous economic challenges over the next four years,” Representative Clark said in a statement. “We need strong leadership in the Blaine House from someone with the courage to make the difficult decisions to improve our economy and create jobs. Our next Governor must be someone who understands the private sector and brings a new perspective to running state government.”
“I know Bruce has the background, experience and unique qualifications to properly manage our state’s finances and make state agencies accountable to the people they serve. Bruce is the right person at the right time to handle the problems we have today. I fully support his candidacy for Governor and encourage my colleagues in the State House to do the same.”
This is the first legislative endorsement that I have been made aware of – and it will obviously not be the last.
So how important are endorsements?
Normally, they are almost entirely irrelevent. Voters do not make decisions about who to vote for based on who other people tell them to support. They vote out of self interest, a connection to a candidate, ideology and any number of other reasons – but who a northern Maine state rep thinks is a good candidate is not on the list.
However, in this rather unique primary endorsements will matter (to a point). We are dealing with a number of untested, unproven, first time candidates – and the same question is on everyone’s mind when we consider people like that: “is this person legitimate?”.
In other words, we have a lot of options, but since name ID is low and most of these people are inexperienced, voters will need some way to weed out the legitimate from the illegitimate – and endorsements are one of those ways.
Indeed, on a macro level, we witnessed this in the 2008 presidential campaign. Barack Obama was in many respects the fresh, new outsider with no establishment credentials, and many people were still wondering if he was really a legitimate contender for the presidency. The endorsement he received from Ted Kennedy immediately established him as somebody who the establishment could rally behind, and who was worthy of a voters time and belief.
Now, this is Maine, and the game is a lot different than presidential politics – but the concept is the same. By rallying a large number of legitimate, establishment people behind you via endorsements, it can go a long way toward convincing the voters that you are worthy of their time. A candidate who fails to find that kind of support may be viewed by voters as an outsider who is incapable of building a strong coalition – and candidates like that get dropped to the side very quickly.
It will be interesting to see endorsements such as this come out over the next several months – but more interesting to me will be if and when other, more prominent leaders weigh in on the race. Who will Josh Tardy and Kevin Raye back? Will we hear from past candidates like Chandler Woodcock and Peter Cianchette? Are there prominent business or community leaders who have a lot of weight behind their name who will chime in?
Such support would be worth 100 Tyler Clarks (no disrespect to him, of course) – and would quickly consolidate the air of legitimacy behind someone.
Game on.
Popularity: 6% [?]
I think people underestimated Poliquin. He could be the guy. He works it hard. Much more than any of the others.
I agree. Poliquin has been the dark horse. I think Otten, Jacobson and Mills didn’t know that Poliquin was going to be this viable.
I see the Poliquin bus everywhere. He blogs several times a week, and has more events then all of the other Republicans combined.
This endorsement could be evidence of the establishment making their choice. I agree that Clark isn’t a big name, but he is still a sitting state rep.
Is Cianchette the guy from Cianbro? I’ve heard there is a guy named Peter alot of people say is possibly running for gov.
I’ll be interested to see what the next fundraising reports show. I think Poliquin has the money to win this. If he can continue getting his name out and increasing his visibility Poliquin will be in a good place.
Of course if Abbott jumps in things will be totally different.
The eventual nominees from both parties have yet to enter the race.
The voters are weary of all politics all the time and 2010 will be the death knell of the two year campaign for statewide office in Maine.
Maine’s Son, I respectfully disagree. I don’t believe that the eventual nominees have not yet entered the race. I think that it is very likely that on both sides a political outsider will be elected nominee. I expect Poliquin or Jacobson will take the nomination on the Republican side. Possibly Scarcelli for the Democrat party.
Someone with business experience and managerial skills will be necessary over the coming years to right the fiscal problems Augusta’s mismanagement has created.
Harlan – No one on either side is moving in terms of support. A vast majority of people I’ve talked to tell me that they’re waiting for better choices emerge. The few who aren’t waiting are either in a candidate’s family or on their payroll.
The outsider’s dream is just that – a dream. The political highway in Maine is littered with many corpses of bored and wealthy egos like Scarcelli, Jacobson, and Poliquin.
Maine’s Son,
For the past year the Bruce Poliquin campaign has been
working full time reaching out to the people of Maine,
raising alot of money, and growing there grass roots movement.
They are staffed with a professional first class team,and are
in to win it! Bruce Poliquin is the reason the other choices
will not emerge. THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE.
JJB – Poliquin has so much confidence in the people of Maine, his “professional first class team” is from out of state.
jjb, are you saying none of these other guys talked about are going to get in because of Poliquin? What about this Vigue guy? (I did a little checking- he’s the Peter fellow alot of people have talked about). Has Poliquin lined up all the business and political leaders and is just waiting to wheel them out?
Right, Dell_Cue, on the Republican side, people are waiting to see what Peter Vigue, Peter Chiancette, and Josh Tardy are going to do.
Not running. Not running. And, not running.
Nobody is really waiting on any of those three. The only Republican we are really waiting for anymore is Steve Abbott, and we’ll see his announcement next month.
Matthew, it’s wdely known that they’re not running, people are waiting to see what they will do.
Dell_Cue Time will tell!!!! A guy can not jump into the race
a year behind and expect to make an impact!
JJB — that’s funny, before 2008, candidates rarely announced/campaigned before the dawn of the election year in Maine.
And it’s my guess that you’re one of candidate Poliquin’s staffers from out-of-state.
Maine Son No I am not from out of state. I have lived in Maine
all of my life. And by the way the reason the campaign went
out of state for some of the staff I believe is that Maine
has such a poor business climate all the good companies and
people do not come to Maine to work or start buisness. You
must know that unless you are a Dem.
JJB – So, what you’re really saying is that there’s no one in Maine/from Maine that’s good enough to serve in leadership on Mr. Poliquin’s campaign staff.
Surely, you and Mr. Poliquin must understand the magnitude of Maine’s unemployment dilemma.
Then again, maybe not!
[...] Tree Politics recently reported that Bruce Poliquin had received an endorsement for governor from Rep. Tyler Clark (R-Easton). As [...]
Maine Son- What I did say is that there is not enough conservative
people in the state to pick from. Believe me the campaign{Poliquin}
would have them on board long ago!!!
JJB – LOL!
Don’t you mean that Poliquin couldn’t find any self-respecting conservatives in Maine who were willing to back a loser?
Besides, Poliquin is pro-choice. Doesn’t that disqualify him as a conservative?
And, hey, if you’re Poliquin staff (and you’ve not denied it), then God help him!
Maine Son so which Liberal Candidate are you supporting,
if you dare tell me?????? obviously you know NOTHING about
Bruce Poliquin. I am NOT a Staff Member
JJB — Thank God for Bruce you’re not his staffer! You certainly don’t leave a good impression on his behalf.
And you ignored the question about Poliquin’s position on abortion which seems to be incongruous to the conservative label you’ve pinned on him.
So, what is Poliquin’s position on abortion and how do you square it with the conservative or liberal labels you like to toss around?
Maine Son Why don’t you email Bruce and ask him what kind of
impression he has of me! You never know you might become one of
his supporters after you talk to him! By the way Bruce is pro life.
JJB — Why would I do that? It’s the impression you leave that’s important.
I’ve talked to Bruce and heard him speak many times.
He’s claims to be personally pro-life but believes that rights to abortion are settled under current law and he supports it.
That a cute way of finessing his pro-choice position.
Maine’s Son, You are wrong about Mr. Poliquin “finessing” his answer on the pro-choice position. He does not equivocate his pro-life position. But he is right, we have a law upheld by the US Supreme Court. This is not even a state-level issue today. I met Mr. Poliquin at the Lobster Festival this summer and I listened not only to his answers to my questions but listened as he talked taxes, healthcare, abortion and government spending with many people. I personally feel he handled all questions honestly and in a straight-forward manner. While I still feel his approach is a breath of fresh air, I sincerely hope that he represents only the tip of the iceberg and that across our state and across the country we have more people running for office that are like Bruce Poliquin and even Paul LePage.
If you’re looking for a dark horse to emerge, I think you should look at Poliquin. He represents the honest, common sense, non-political-agenda driven approach we need in Maine and across the United States. Others here have suggested you contact Mr. Poliquin and talk with him. I think that’s an excellent idea.
Personally, I feel the exchange on this website is great. Americans are waking up and listening, thinking and getting involved. It’s what we all need to do, so thank you for doing your part Maine’s Son…and everyone else who has commented.
Wow, this is pretty ridiculous.
So what, did Poliquin send out an email or something asking all the kool-aid drinking douchebag supporters he has to come out of the cracks and spam the comment section of this article?
This is so stupid. All of the arguments from these Poliquin people read like they are from a talking points memo. None of you sound like ACTUAL supporters. You sound like either paid staff, or “supporters” who have been given instructions on how to astroturf.
Of course, the only reason Poliquin is even talked about at all is because he has money. He isn’t genuine, nor is he compelling. Frankly, every time I see him speak in public, he comes off phony.
So, much like a sad lonely kid in college who buys his friends by joining a fraternity, Poliquin is just ego-stroking and trying to gain accolades by buying a political office. That wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t so obvious. It isn’t like he has ever cared about sinking his money into politics and causes until he could have gotten power out of the deal. Pathetic.
I don’t believe a single one of these pro-Poliquin comments. They ALL sound bought and paid for. They are either staff of astroturf.
Poliquin is a disingenuous ass. You can just tell when you listen to him talk that he is just basically reading or reciting whatever he thinks we want to hear.
Sorry, but I’d prefer people who come off as genuine. If I want somebody I consider a “real conservative” then I’ll take LePage, thank you very much. If I want the business guy, I’ll take Jacobson. If I want the guy who can appeal across the political spectrum, then I’ll take Mills. All those guys come off as real. Poliquin comes off like a robot.
Point is, Poliquin is full of shit. Just trying to buy attention, and purchase the Blaine House. No thanks. Voters would see through that anyway in the general, so he’d get his ass kicked no matter what.
Frankly, I don’t even care what he “really” thinks about issues. He’ll never be more conservative than LePage, so if that is what I care about, then he still wouldn’t get my vote.
His ONLY selling point is money. And sure, that’s important to a point, but you can’t buy an office, and that is what he is trying to do.
Mr Davis, If Paul LePage is attracting supporters like you,
then it does not say much about Paul LePage. I have heard Paul speak and was very impressed with his life story, but Poliquin’s
business background in finance and management is far superior than
Paul Lepage’s. End of story!
Dave, such strong lanquage, very unprofessional. A few facts for you: The Poliquin campaign is the fastest growing gubernatorial
campaign in the state whether it’s Democrate or Republican. It is
very well organized and staffed and has raised the most money than any other candidate. You don’t need to be a paid staffer to know
this Dave! Why don’t you join the Poliquin campaign and support
Bruce?
Dave, such strong lanquage, very unprofessional. A Few facts for you Dave:
1. The Poliquin campaign is the fastest growing gubernatorial campaign in the state whether Democrate or Republican!
2. It is very well organized and staffed and has raised the most money than any other candidate!
3. You don’t need to be a paid staffer to know this Dave!
4. Bruce doesn’t need a handout from the state through public campaign financing as Mills, Mitchell, and Richardson!
5. Bruce has been raising funds for over a year now and not looking to the state to pay for his campaign.
Dave, how can a candidate take money from the state in these hard economic times?
Wow.
I’m actually glad to see this much fighting this early.
Usually when I get mad it’s because I care about an issue and I’m glad that people care this much about the future of Maine.
Fact: Bruce has raised and put in a lot of money.
Fact: Bruce has a big cool bus.
Fact: Bruce has a lot of staffers, I’m not for sure but I think him and Jacobson are about tied in that aspect.
Fact: Jacobson’s staff are Mainers and his leadership team is compiled of some big local names.
What’s left to be debated is if any of these things matter.
Name recognition is a key and a big cool bus gets people talking.
I think the reason why people are attracted to Bruce Poliquin is that his message of fiscal responsibility is extremely timely. Just as the tanking economy was a major contributing factor to Obama’s win last year, the horribly mismanaged spending in this state will be a major issue in this gov race.
What Poliquin is saying makes sense AND he actually has the (successful) private sector experience to back his message up, which in my opinion sets him apart from other candidates that are saying some of the same things.
Back to the Tyler Clark endorsment. He’s an NYA grad, that’s the reason for his support. Most likely a friend of Poliquin’s son. BTW how successful are Poliquin’s developements? I heard he’s only sold 2 houses in his 60 house developement. I’d hardly call that successful!
Tyler Clark graduated from Easton High School in northern Maine, your facts are a bit off
Leave a comment!
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