AUGUSTA, Maine -- Charles Summers, who wants to replace four-term U.S. Rep. Tom Allen in southern Maine's 1st District, made a pitch for party support as he took the stage before Republican delegates at the party's state convention Saturday......"But let me say this, I believe that when facing someone who has been as inattentive to Maine, and as partisan in Washington, as my opponent ... we're going to win."
...Summers accused Allen of doing too little to help Maine defense installations and contractors, and chided him for opposing President Bush's tax-cut plan and Medicare prescription drug benefit...
...Summers, who has no primary challenger, pledged to support legislation to let small businesses pool together to leverage lower group health insurance costs...
..."I won't walk away from their needs," said Summers, who is also a public affairs officer in the U.S. Naval Reserves. "I'll stand and fight for Maine's interest on defense issues ... I will make it happen."