At first glance, voters might dismiss Republican candidate John Frary's congressional campaign as a joke or parody of the election process, rather than his sincere attempt to fulfill, at long last, a citizen's public obligation.

Frary, a retired history professor from Farmington, is running against incumbent Democrat Mike Michaud to represent Maine's 2nd District.

Frary's Web site spoofs Monty Python, his daily wardrobe includes a hat and cane, and his most comprehensive piece of campaign literature is titled "The Frary Home Companion," subtitled "Garrison Keillor, eat your heart out."

How does Frary reassure doubtful voters?

"I think I'm the most serious candidate in the state of Maine," Frary said. "I agree the others are more solemn and I respect that."

But Frary said there is more to his candidacy than just fun.

"I look back on the neglected obligations I didn't meet in my life ... what other opportunity do I have to do my duty?" he said.

Where Frary's is a campaign in part to make up for his past personal shortcomings, his opponent Michaud is looking to further his successes.

Michaud, a former state legislator and mill worker in Millinocket, was first elected to Congress in 2002. He said he has been effective in making a difference on the federal level for Maine and hopes to continue his work.

"A couple of years ago I was able to amend the veterans bill that passed to require the (Department of Veterans Affairs) to put forward a business plan on access points here in Maine," Michaud said. "Since then, we actually have a new veterans clinic in Lincoln. Originally they predicted about 400 veterans would utilize the facility, now it's used by over 1,000."

The VA legislation also created an access point in Houlton, so veterans receive health care locally, Michaud said, and more recently the Lewiston-Auburn area has been designated for a brand new community-based out-patient clinic for veterans so they don't have to travel to Augusta.

Frary, though, is not impressed.

"I mock my opponent and the political process because they deserve it," he said. "Sound bites, photo opportunities and interview-tested phrases like 'working families' ... what, no one has anything good to say about loafing families?"

Frary said his platform consists of fidelity to the U.S. Constitution and fiscal responsibility.

"I'd run against another two or three hundred congressmen, or all of them together, if I had the resources," he said. "At the end of the day, at the end of two years, I'd like to count the figures up and say I voted for more total budget reductions than budget increases."

Despite his conservative inclinations, Frary said he would have voted for the sweeping financial bill aimed at rescuing the national economy that Congress recently voted on.

In a "crisis of confidence," Frary said, leaders must give the appearance of action.

Michaud voted against it, opposing his party's leadership and the majority of his peers. He said the bill was too expensive and fundamentally flawed, lacking proper oversight.

Throughout his campaign, Frary has staked out issue positions he says will benefit the state. He proposed creating a northern oil refinery in Loring, restarting Maine Yankee as a nuclear plant, investing in Maine's railroad system and restoring hydroelectric dams around the state.

"There is no shame in admitting one has been wrong and going back to what works," Frary wrote in his campaign literature. "I do it all the time. Maine should admit that getting rid of the dams didn't bring back the fish and that putting the dams back won't harm the few fish that remain."

Michaud also acknowledges the importance of expanding Maine's energy production.

"Definitely energy is on everyone's mind," he said. "Off the coast of Maine, we've got more wind than the Midwestern states. During the next couple of weeks I'll be visiting some of the potential sites here in Maine as far as wind power and tidal power as well. We can no longer depend on foreign oil."

While Michaud says he has been unable to campaign in earnest because of obligations in Washington, D.C., and a recent overseas trip visiting troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Frary has been making regular appearances throughout the sprawling 2nd District.

Frary recently spent one evening in Augusta speaking before the Christian Civic League and the next day addressed the masses at "Harvest Fest" in Sparks.

Frary, who supports the legalization of marijuana, said he told both groups "some things they wanted to hear and some things they didn't want to hear."

But although Frary has been on the campaign trail a bit longer than Michaud this election cycle, there's no doubt the incumbent has a clear advantage. Last election, Michaud received more than 70 percent of the vote and currently enjoys a large cash advantage over Frary.

For Michaud, it's about making a difference in Mainers' lives and getting the job done.

"I really like the job. There's a number of opportunities in Congress to make a positive impact here in Maine," he said. "One of the things I've always focused on is opportunities and how can we make a difference."

For Frary, it's about shaking things up.

"We need courageous, tenacious, loquacious and fearless leaders to break through the self-serving clutter of 435 career politicians infesting our nation's Capitol," he wrote in a campaign handout. "But I'm all you've got."