[JohnnyZ]

A couple of observations: the Snowe-McKernan machine seems to have completely taken over Maine Republican politics. So what else is new?

It seems to me that Brian Hamel has a decent shot at Michaud because of the Jobs issue. Unfortunately Hamel is pro-abortion while Michaud is pro-life -- I think I would be forced to vote for Michaud.

Summers is the second Snowe aide to run for Congress in as many elections; Kevin Raye lost to Michaud in 2002.

I don't know what Nealley's deal is.

[JohnnyZ]

Another local Maine race that I'm watching closely (from afar) is the House 62 (Rockland plus some Owls Head) race, where Republican incumbent Deb McNeil is stepping down to head Snowe's Augusta office. Newly elected Rockland mayor Ed Mazurek (aka Coach Maz) is running as a Democrat, while former state rep Doug Curtis Sr. has stepped up to run for the Republicans.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Unfortunately Hamel is pro-abortion while Michaud is pro-life -- I think I would be forced to vote for Michaud."

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Since the GOP is virtually guaranteed to control the House in January of 2005, and will likely expand its majority, I would have to strongly consider voting for pro-life, pro-gun Democrat Michaud over the pro-abortion Hamel. But if it appears that the Democrats may retake the House, I would have to hold my nose and vote for Hamel, since it would do the pro-life movement no good to elect a pro-life Congressman if it throws control of the agenda to Nancy Pelosi and her liberal cohorts. We would never get a single pro-life measure get out of committee or otherwise on to the floor if the Democrats have a majority in the House.