In a Friday press release issued by the National Republican Congressional Committee, charged with seeing that as many Republicans are elected to the U.S. House as possible, Rep. Mike Michaud was metaphorically referred to as an Olympic medalist.

The NRCC poked fun at Democratic House members by awarding them medals in various political sports categories.

Michaud got his medal in “Javelining the jobs issue.” Michaud has been a critic of the Bush administration’s performance on job losses and job gains since he took office.

Other categories included: “Social Security Shot put;” “Medicare Maligning Marathon” and “No Child Left Behind Boxing.”

The Bush-Cheney 04 campaign started airing ads Friday titled “Victory.” In it, the announcer talks about how many more democracies exist throughout the world compared to 1972.

That year, when the games were held in Munich, they were interrupted by a terrorist attack.

“And this Olympics…there will be two more free nations,” the ad’s voice over says. “And two fewer terrorist regimes.”

Shaheen to attend lobster bake

The chairwoman of the Kerry for President campaign is expected to attend the Maine Democrat’s 47th Annual Muskie Lobster bake Sunday.

Jeanne Shaheen, who served as governor of New Hampshire for three terms, will join Maine Congressmen Tom Allen and Michaud as well as Gov. John Baldacci at the event, which is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m.

Maine Democrats see the successful challenge of Edmund Muskie over then-Gov. Burton Cross in 1954 as being responsible for the rise of the Democratic Party in this state, according to a press release.

– By Staff Writer Christopher Williams