Operatives reported spotting signature gatherers in York County. Although Democrats suspect Republicans are behind the effort, those collecting the signatures have apparently declined to disclose their affiliation, according to a party e-mail advisory issued Friday.

Something similar happened in Pennsylvania, it says, resulting in unsuspecting John Kerry supporters unwittingly signing Nader petitions.

“We need your help!” the party’s message read. “As in states like Michigan and Nevada, there may be a Republican effort to get Ralph Nader on the ballot in Maine. Signature gatherers have until Monday, August 16, to file petitions with the state of Maine to qualify Nader as a presidential candidate.”

Those pesky Republicans are hoping to siphon votes for their guy, the Democrats said.

“Across the country, Republicans have been working and/or funding the efforts to gather signatures for Nader in the hopes that it will diminish votes for Kerry. They know that an overwhelming percentage of Nader voters would otherwise vote for Kerry, because the Kerry-Edwards campaign is supportive of the issues that Nader says are important, like the environment, increasing the minimum wage and standing up to special interests.

“The Maine Democratic Party is asking if you know of any efforts in your town to get Nader on the ballot in Maine. We need to know who is collecting the signatures, who is paying them to gather signatures, and if they have any affiliation with the Republican Party,” the advisory stated.

Hamel to hang out a sign in Bangor

Brian Hamel, Republican candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, announced the grand opening of his new campaign office in Bangor. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, he said in a press release.

The office will be at 92 Central St. Bangor and Penobscot County GOP leaders are expected to attend, along with Hamel and his supporters, at 3 p.m.

He is expected to talk about upcoming debates with U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, the incumbent 2nd District congressman.

Meanwhile, Michaud held a roundtable discussion Friday with Mainers in Bangor on the front porch of the home of Niall and Terri McGarvey about problems facing the middle class.

He talked about Kerry’s plans to “ease the middle-class squeeze.”

– By Staff Writer Christopher Williams