Pine Tree Politics

What Now? Initial RttT Thoughts

Posted on 24. Aug, 2010 by Derek Viger.

The second round results of the federal Race to the Top are in.  We knew Maine wasn’t a finalist.  It was unclear until now, exactly how Maine compared to other applicants.  So, after all of the work put into Maine’s RttT application where did we finish?  33rd out of 36. Matt Stone is reporting that [...]

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Cutler’s Government Reform Plans

Posted on 24. Aug, 2010 by Derek Viger.

Eliot Cutler has spoken a lot about regulations in the state during his campaign, and it has increased over the past month.  Cutler now has a new proposal to address Maine’s regulatory environment.  Could this proposal be just thing to get Maine’s economy going again? In conjunction with the release of his proposal, Cutler has [...]

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More Babyish Whining About Trackers

Posted on 23. Aug, 2010 by Matthew Gagnon.

Oh, those poor oppressed politicians. Everyone is always trying to hear what they say when they are out in public – this is no way to conduct a democracy! For the second time in this campaign, a major candidate for Maine’s highest office has protested the recording of their public appearances – this time it [...]

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Tornoe’s Toon: Coming Soon to a Gubernatorial Race Near You…

Posted on 23. Aug, 2010 by Rob Tornoe.

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Cutler Still Involved in TMI Lawsuit

Posted on 17. Aug, 2010 by Derek Viger.

The Portland Press Herald has reported that Eliot Cutler has been named in at least one class-action suit connected the bankruptcy of Thornburg Mortgage Inc.  According to the PPH, Roney Jr. v. Thornburg et al, filed October of 2008 in U.S. District Court in New Mexico, is still active.  The plaintiffs in this case claim [...]

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The Battle Over Maine’s Clean Election System

Posted on 16. Aug, 2010 by Derek Viger.

During this election, Maine’s Clean Election system became a contested topic.  Given the economic situation it should be no surprise.  There was also controversy that arose surrounding the system, which caused one candidate to leave the race.    Maine’s Clean Election system is back in the news again.  A lawsuit has been filed claiming the [...]

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LePage Maintains Strong Lead In Rasmussen’s Latest Poll

Posted on 16. Aug, 2010 by Augusta Insider.

Rasmussen conducts monthly polling on gubernatorial races, and this month’s survey of Maine voters is out. According to Rasmussen, Paul LePage is leading the race with 38% of the likely vote, followed by Libby Mitchell with 30% and Eliot Cutler with 16%. The previous two polls (June, July) have shown very similar results.  The progression [...]

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Collecting Student Social Security Numbers Carries Risk

Posted on 13. Aug, 2010 by Derek Viger.

Beginning this fall, Maine’s public school students will be asked to surrender their Social Security numbers for use in the state’s longitudinal data system.  Student numbers will be used by the DOE to ,”to provide school units with data about the long-term effectiveness of teaching and programs from early childhood through to college and the [...]

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Cutler Accuses Mitchell of Push Polling

Posted on 11. Aug, 2010 by Derek Viger.

Libby Mitchell has been running a quiet campaign so far.  ”Run silent, run deep” seemed to have been the campaign’s motto.  The Maine Democratic Party has launched most of the salvos so far, not Mitchell’s campaign.  It appears there were a few strategies against Mitchell’s opponents waiting in the wings.  Unfortunately for Mitchell, one of [...]

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Thoughts On Rep. Flaherty’s Accident

Posted on 10. Aug, 2010 by Derek Viger.

Early Sunday morning, State Troopers found Rep. Sean Flaherty‘s (D-Scarborough) car on its roof near Freeport on I-295 South.  EMTs were treating Flaherty for cuts on his face, head, arms, and hands.  Flaherty, supposedly heading home from a wedding in the Sebago Lakes area, lost control of his car after swerving to avoid an animal, [...]

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