As I listened to the candidates respond to moderator Michael Malloy’s questions Monday evening (Sept. 17) at the first public debate among contenders for Sen. Olympia Snowe’s seat, it became increasingly clear to me that only former Gov. Angus King provided answers specific to each and every question.

Sen. Cynthia Dill and Secretary Charlie Summers used many of the questions as springboards to espouse their particular ideologies, principally party-driven, while occasionally failing completely to answer the question.

It seems to me that Maine needs a thinking, articulate and independent individual who is able to understand the subject under discussion, give it reasoned thought and deliver a cogent response.

Maine does not need a representative given to force fitting preconceived solutions to complex problems.

I will support Angus King on Nov. 6.

David Chittim, Lewiston