Buttons allowing voters to pay tribute to a veteran are available, free, through the Secretary of State’s Office.

Each made-to-order button features the name of a veteran that the voter would like to recognize. In 2000, for the last presidential election, more than 10,000 buttons were distributed to Mainers, with the intent that the voters who requested the buttons would wear them to the polls.

The program was created by Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky to offer a way for voters to express appreciation for the people in their lives who have defended their freedom and the right to vote.

To order a button, call the Secretary of State’s Office at 207-626-8406 or go online: www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter_info/veteran/. There is no deadline to order, “but the sooner the better” to allow time to apply the veteran’s name to the button and ensure arrival by Nov. 2, said spokesman Doug Dunbar. “We process the orders the day we get them.”

Copies of “Maine Remembers Those Who Served,” a collection of tributes to Maine veterans, is also available. Both the buttons and books, which have proved popular, are free. The buttons cost about $1,000 for 5,000, and are paid by the Secretary of State’s voter outreach efforts, Dunbar said.

Politicians and dogs

A callback from Republican State House candidate Jimmy Simones of Greene on Wednesday found him on the campaign trail, a dog barking in the background.

“I’m going door to door,” Simones explained over his cell phone, adding that he’s had a few encounters with dogs while on the trail. Lots of dogs bark when he knocks. Recently one bit. “He got my pant leg. But when I told him I was a Republican he let go,” Simones joked.

The first-time District 17 Senate candidate said there’s much enthusiasm about this election, and predicted that voter turnout would be high, “especially with young voters.”

Maine soldiers

The day after Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. John Edwards debated on national television, the Democratic National Committee sent out a report called “Cheney vs. Maine’s Reality.”

In it, Democrats accused Cheney of being out of touch with Mainers, and took issue with Cheney’s comments on the multinational coalition in Iraq. Cheney said the coalition is strong and includes 30 countries. The DNC said the coalition is “crumbling,” and countries have pulled out.

“Maine has more troops in Iraq than even the largest coalition partners,” the DNC said. “If Maine were a country, it would be the sixth largest coalition partner in terms of troop commitments.”

Bush disagrees

The Bush-Cheney campaign in Maine responded by complaining about presidential candidate John Kerry’s plan for Iraq, which include calling a summit with other countries.

“I’ve been to a lot of summits. I’ve never seen a meeting that would depose a tyrant or bring a terrorist to justice,” President Bush said last week in Pennsylvania. “Kerry claims that he can work with our allies, yet he said those who are standing with us are not a part of a genuine coalition.”

Bush complained that Kerry dismissed the coalition’s sacrifices, and questioned how as president he could lead “by pushing away the allies who are already with us.”

Chamber back Hamel

Brian Hamel, the Republican candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He also is endorsed by the American Medical Association, the National Federation of Independent Business and Associated Builders and Contractors.

“Brian understands that America’s businesses are the spark plug for economic prosperity and job growth. He knows firsthand how to create jobs and grow the economy,” said Geoffrey O’Hara, executive director of the eastern region of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Hamel left his position as president and chief executive officer of the Loring Development Authority last spring to run for Congress.

– By Staff Writers Bonnie Washuk and Christopher Williams