"The business of Maine is going to be business," Republican candidate for Maine governor Paul LePage told about 100 supporters last week at a rally on the steps of the Waterville City Hall.
We hope LePage can maintain that message discipline over the next five months leading up to the general election. In fact, we hope all the candidates in the race can do the same.
It won't be easy.
Two weeks before the primary, a TV debate moderator threw LePage a curveball question: "Do you believe in creationism, and do you think it should be taught in Maine public schools?"
Creationists believe that evolution alone cannot account for the diversity and order of life on Earth, and that the hand of a creating deity must have been involved. Most scientists believe otherwise.
While this has been a hot topic in some states, it has not been an issue here, and it doesn't seem to have been part of LePage's platform, which does include opposition to abortion and gay marriage.
And his answer seemed to reflect that he wasn't expecting the question:
"I would say intelligence, uh, the more education you have the more knowledge you have the better person you are, and I believe yes and yes."
Ah, a wedge issue is born. Paul LePage is a creationist.
Soon, liberal bloggers were tearing into the issue and the website dirigoblue.com was offering bumper stickers for $4.65, "No Creationism in Public Schools. No Paul LePage."
This is how manufactured issues can take over a campaign and knock candidates off their established priorities.
Which was one of the warnings delivered by LePage's former Republican opponents as they locked arms behind him last week and vowed to support him in the general election — stick to the basics.
It's the economy. It's jobs, it's about the efficiency and effectiveness of state government.
Don't get dragged into social issues and, by all means, distance yourself from the more radical tenets of the tea party.
The next governor of Maine isn't going to abolish the Federal Reserve, block the Law of the Sea Treaty and return America to the principles of Austrian Economics, no matter what the Knox County wing of the Republican Party would like to see happen.
Far and away more Mainers would be happy to have secure jobs, lower taxes and a brighter future for their children.
Of course, anybody has a right to ask any candidate any question they want. But we wish more candidates had the self-restraint not to take the bait.
Creationism?
"I have my views on that, but it is simply not relevant to the issues before us, like jobs, taxes and building our economy."
When our next governor gets those things straightened out, perhaps then we can work on the mysteries of the universe.
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BECAUSE THEY CAN'T HANDLE THE
BECAUSE THEY CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH....Jack Nicholson, "A Few Good Men" circa I don't know.
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for the author of this opinion piece seems to be --- "anything that my candidate of choice says/believes that may make him unelectable."
No - Lets NOT avoid talking about and learning about where our candidates stand. To do so would be the height of irresponsibility.
The governor has a great deal of discretion in how billions of dollars for programs are implemented and what kind of people get hired to serve the state. We must know the full resume and philosophies of the man or woman who wants us to hire them for this essential job.
Why does this paper advocate less questioning and background checking for the job of governor than they themselves would do to hire an entry level reporter? What is it they do not want the taxpayers to know?
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I'm just a stay at home mom...a simple gal. Please help me understand how socialized medicne is not socialism. I'd also like to know how opposing a treaty that surrenders US soverignty is paranoid and delusional. It seems like a pretty good, common sense idea to me. So, do you want us to surrender our soverignty, jal? I'm confused about your statements that the teapartiers are a threat to the constitution... ???? How's that, exactly? (oh and by the way, tron...libs starting calling the teapartiers teabaggers...not the other way around)
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The conservative news organization, National Review wrote an article about the origin of the name Tea Baggers. It began with members of the movement calling themselves that name. Liberals kept using the name after embarrassed party leaders found out what it meant in modern slang, but the party members themselves clearly began the whole thing . maybe Liberals should have dropped it, but it isn't helping for the Tea party to tell lies about the origin. That just makes them look foolish.
http://nrd.nationalreview.com/article/?q=Mjk1YmRjNzIxNmUwMTI0ZWYxZWU4OWU...
Treaties that the Tea party folks claim "surrender our sovereignty " don't do that at all. They just allow for a UN force to be led by someone appointed by the UN who may or may not be American. It is just complete nonsense masquerading as a real issue.
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and I proved that teabaggers started calling themselves that, but then, of course , the right wing wackos simply denied it, just like when the teabaggers shouted epithets, spit on congressmen and all the other nasty things you guys do.
BTW, when did we pass socialize medicine? We didn't, but you guys will call it that anyway. Perhaps we can get in some meaningful discussions when you guys decide to use English as a common language.
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tron, I mean Forrest, I beleive someone on this blog offered a substantial reward if you could actually prove a couple of those allegations, and yet you've never been able to do so. Nothing new here, same old arguments, same old lies, never able to back up his stories...
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are vastly more socialized than the US system for medical care, even with the reforms.
Maybe she means she wants to eliminate Medicare for the elderly? That is an example of a system that is primarily socialistic. Seems kind of harsh to want to force our elderly to go without health care though.
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paintmainered has removed the 2010 Maine Republican Platform from its website. Guess hiding is catching on.
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"Oppose any and all treaties with the UN or any other organization or country which surrenders US sovereignty." This seems simple enough and as one poster on paintmainered wrote there is not room for interpretation (of the platform). But this plank betrays the paranoid delusions and the ignorance that are at the heart of the Tea Party movement.
All treaties the US signs must comply with the US Constitution (not the Tea Party's Constitution). Sovereignty is inherent in nationhood. A treaty that violated our sovereignty would be null and void. So why bring the subject even up. Because the Tea Party is motivated by ultra-nationalism and its mirror isolationism and its complement American exceptionalism. They see any relationship with other countries good or bad as a threat to those views.
Today the Tea Party is a democratic fascist movement funded by big business and for now peaceful. But soon we may have to drop the "peaceful". All the elements are there specifically ultra-nationalism for this movement to become a real threat to the Constitution.
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When LePage repudiates the 2010 Maine Republican Platform, I stop writing about it.
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Normally platforms don't matter. The platform is written by one group and candidates elected by another. Rarely do the two meet and the platform is discarded within minutes of being approved. But not this one. The radical 2010 Maine Republican Platform was authored by two LePage staffers and then sent to the Knox County Chairman to coverup its origins.
Whats wrong, thinkingman. Its not a theory. Creationism is an assertion with no scientific validity at all. Probably the most recent case was Dover, Pa. Where creationist hid their views from the public as Rand Paul, Sharron Angle, and Paul LePage are doing now. They got elected and soon tried to bring creationism into the classroom. The case went to court and they lost. The judge found that creationism isn't science and that books used to teach it were direct copies of religious textbooks.
This election will be about jobs. Republican job killers who have caused every recession in modern times in our country against Democrats who create jobs and a working economy.
But its also going to be about the radical views of the extremists who have taken over the Republican Party.
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to misrepresent what people are complaining about. NO ONE has attacked Mr. LePage on this beliefs, just the fact the SJ doesn't want us to know what they are. I believe we should learn everything about every candidate BEFORE making our minds up. I know I will, but I respect that you will not do the same. The problem is I already know more about Mitchell, Moody and Cutler, than about LePage. He's hiding and the SJ is aiding and abetting his strategy of not revealing himself and his ideas to the public. He will probably do what he did during the primary, run a blitz at the last minute, confuse the voters and hope to squeak in before anyone has the opportunity to truly understand what kind of person he is. It worked in the primary, and it may just work for the general election. But since he would be Governor for four years, it would be nice to know what he's about BEFORE he's elected.
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"...it would be nice to know what he's about before he's elected".
Why? oBAMa's congress passed his health care bill without knowing what was in it. Ask Nancy Pelosi. This morning they passed another economy related bill that no one knows (a direct quote) how it will work until it actually goes into effect. You and your ilk dont' ever worry about stuff like that, but you're concerned with what LePage is about? How droll.
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Sad that people wanting to attack a manbecause it should be taught as one theory in the schools, it wasn't that long ago when evolution was not an allowed or discussed concept in our schools, until the Scopes monkey trial. So to all the liberals out there bashing - I ask - is it wrong to teach all therories or is it like your entire theory of "its all good as long as I agree with it"? and i ask - do you beleive in the Holy Bible?
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Interviewer: "Do you believe in creationism, and do you think it should be taught in Maine public schools?"
LePage: "No and no."
End of issue.
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The most important question to ask yourself before you vote: "Which candidate is more likely to improve the economy in Maine?"
To me, it's a no-brainer.
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This election SHOULD be about jobs and the economy for Maine, instead the liberal loonies here will make it about social issues...they just don't care as they pay little in sales tax, don't own a car (no excise tax) and don't own a home (no property tax) and don't work (no income tax). Even worse, as you see above they will bloat and inflate minor issues to make their point, going so far as to lie and deny. I truly hope the people of Maine are awake at the polls in November because we need change from what the Democrats have created. They have no one to blame but themselves.
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Wow, jal. It must be great to just make up outright lies. The LePage campaign had nothing to with the Republican platform it was written by the Knox county chairman who was listed as an Abbott supporter on Abbott's website. If you're going to lie, don't make it so easy to be disproved.
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if you believe this - "socialist agenda which Washington is trying to cram down our throats" - you demonstrate the lack of political judgement that makes LePage and the Tea Partiers a threat to our Constitution and sound government for the better part of 220 years. There is no socialist agenda. There is no attempt to implement any such thing. I know what socialists believe and want and it has nothing to do with what is going on in Washington.
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it not Socialism, it has to be Marxism.
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"There is no socialist agenda." WOW!!! jal, do you seriously believe that. when the president was campaigning, he said he believed in spreading the wealth. the president favored a government controlled health care system. the president had the government take over a private company. the democrats are pushing the "fairness doctrine". those are perfect examples of a socialist agenda.
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First, LePage staffers wrote the platform adopted by the extremists in the Republican Party. These are his views. They reflect what he wants to do. They are very germane to his conduct as Governor and should be the center of this campaign.
Second, these views are so extreme as this editorial points out that its not concievable that they would be implemented. But many people have said that before about other candidates here and in other countries.
Third, extremism must always be fought.
Fourth, even if we are mistaken and LePage really doesn't agree with the party's platform and his staffers involvement in writing it, those staffers and other extremists will come into office with LePage. That represents a material threat to the children of Maine.
Fifth, we do need to save this state and its people from folks who will not believe their own eyes, who reject objective facts, who believe themselves always right and the rest of the world always wrong.
Sixth, Maine needs jobs; it needs businesses; it needs economic development. But we are not so desperate that we will turn over the state to a junk dealer.
Defeat LePage. Center this campaign on Republican extremism.
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The Extreme Far-Lefties like tron will destroy our state if we don't stop their games in November. In short, if you're not familiar with what Paul LePage stands for, please take a few minutes and simply visit his website at http://www.lepage2010.com - note the various position statements and informational videos. If you have questions/concerns, send him an email and see how he responds.
** LePage for Governor 2010 **
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I agree with the editorial. Maine can't currently pay it's obligations to Cities and Towns, which has caused all kinds of budget problems on local levels statewide. The next governor needs to be capable of fixing our out of control taxing and spending, and making State government more compatible with job creation by the private sector. These factors far outweigh personal beliefs on evolution or creationism, abortion, and gay marriage. As a catholic, I have my beliefs on these moral issues, but that doesn't diminish my capacity to function as a person or licensed professional. Let the real issues, not the BS, be the deciding factor in electing our next governor and legislature in November.
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Why does the Sun Journal feel they need to protect LePage from the electorate? Aren't all of his views relevant, even the "wedgie" issues? What did Jesus name his dinosaur?
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C'mon, Lil...everyone knows that; T Rex.....
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The people who refer to the Tea Party as teabaggers seem to think that if they call them names enough and say hurtfull things about them enough, they will go away. While I am not a member, it would seem that they are only trying to take back our country from the socialist agenda which Washington is trying to cram down our throats. Paul LePage seems to be a breath of fresh air against Libby Mitchell and her "more of the same for Maine" ways. Tron makes fun of Mr Lepage working at his job while the lady with the money is out campaigning. I say good for him. There is plenty of time to get his word out. Go Paul Lepage!!!
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teabaggers are what they are. There is nothing sordid about the name teabaggers.
Now Mr. LePage is "working" instead of campaigning? When does this job become important enough for him to take this seriously, before or after the election? And don't make light of Ms. Mitchell's wealth, she earned it. And if Marden's cannot run without Mr. LePage, then perhaps his operating style isn't compatible with running a state. You cannot run it alone, and if he cannot delgate authority to run Marden's, what can we expect when he tries to run the state?
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"teabaggers are what they are. There is nothing sordid about the name teabaggers." If that is true, then you won't be offended if I say that I think you are a teabagger, and I am referencing the pure definition of the term. But, it isn't sordid so, you're o.k. with me saying that, right? You and the parrot are still best buds, right?
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no the real issue with him is he is on welfare and like most others trapped in a world they have a love hate relationship with, (love being paid to do nothing but hate not being able to do anything) they think it is a zero-sum game. If someone or something gets a little more, they get a little less. Everytime taxes have been cut it results in an increase of tax revenue to the state or fed. There is no such thing as corporate welfare. Do you see CEO's sitting on the door step drinking 40 ouncer's out of a bag? Do they roam the streets in packs with pitbulls? Do they get young girls pregnant, leave them to go on to the next one and not accept responsibility for their actions? Corportations don't have to stay here if the taxes are too high, they can leave and some have left. Make it a business friendly climate and then more people will be able to work, pay taxes, take care of their families, and help those less fortunate that truly need help.
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Every time I read tron extremist comments I become more and more convinced he is really a Republican whose purpose is to blog on here with such extreme hate filled rants as to turn rationale people in favor of the Republican party.
As a Democrat, he really used to make me angry, for being intolerant, bigoted and dishonest, but now I understand his true intentions and it all makes sense.
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I don't understand why Tron et al are so angry and unhappy. They have a liberal president, a liberal congress, the paragons of liberalism in Biden, Pelosi and Reid, and yet, all you get from the libmos is vitriol, name calling and overall malcontent. They have everything; but hate everything. Can someone explain this? No one expects conservatives and liberals to agree on many things, but why all this hatred and anger towards opposition and differing points of view? Quite puzzling. And yes, I expect to get a bunch of smartass, name calling filled responses from Tron, DDSD, XYZ and a few others whose names escape me at this time. But, honestly, is it all necessary?
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the teabaggers and received their votes, should now walk away from the tenets they espouse? Why are these issues not germane to the campaign? Seems the SJ wants Mr. Lepage to win so much, that they don't want him to reveal his convictions, less some people get turned off. Don't you think it's relevant whether or not he believes what the teabaggers wrote into the republican platform, or are we suppose to ignore it? But you're right, he must tell us how he plans to get jobs for Maine. It's going to involve giving corporate welfare, the bounds of which we've never seen, to date, and in order to balance the budget he'll have to cut somewhere. So does he plan to let grandma eat dog food again? Have the homeless line all the Main Streets of the major cities? Or is he going to finally tax limousine service, dog grooming and other rich people's activities or just take from the least among us and give to corporate fat cats? The problem seems to be a ghost campaign. Has anyone seen Mr. LePage in the last week? Oh, he's working, so running for governor is not important enough to put all his time into it. That's a first clue. Will he be a part time governor? We're waiting for some answers.
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