Maine Resident Andy Card Speaks at Maine GOP Convention, May 14-15, 2004

Kenebec Journal ^ | Susan M. Cover

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The convention took place over two days. More photos to follow.

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STATE GOP CONVENTION BEGINS

Maine Republicans opened their biennial state convention this morning at the Augusta Civic Center.

(Augusta-AP) -- After the opening formalities, Republicans heard from President Bush himself in a five-minute video in which he declared his vision for the country and took a couple of jabs at Democratic candidate John Kerry.

Party leaders are now introducing legislative candidates who they hope will win them a majority in the Democratic-controlled legislature.

GOP leaders say party unity will be a major theme at this year's gathering, which will also give the party to showcase candidates Brian Hamel and Charles Summers, who are trying to unseat Maine's two Democratic members of the U.S. House. President Bush's chief of staff, Andrew Card, will be keynote speaker at this evening's convention banquet.

http://www.wlbz2.com/newscenter/article.asp?id=13619

[larryjohnson]

Any first hand FReeper reports?

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Yes, I was there.

I'm still awaiting the link for the photos. Meanwhile, here are some related items.

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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."

Full article

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AUGUSTA, Maine -- Aroostook County redevelopment executive Brian Hamel, whose sights are on Maine's 2nd Congressional District seat, touted his record for creating jobs as he introduced himself to Republican delegates at their state convention Friday.

"I think Mainers are ready for a congressman who brings a proactive agenda to Washington," Hamel said in his address at the Augusta Civic Center. "A congressman who will work tirelessly to reverse the job losses in the Second District." Hamel, of Presque Isle, hopes to defeat first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud in November. Like the Republicans' 1st District candidate Charles Summers, Hamel has no primary challenger...

...The 2nd District comprises most of Maine, except for a southern and coastal swath that includes Portland and Augusta. The 2nd District includes Limestone, home of the former Loring Air Force Base, a former bomber base whose closing in 1994 hit like an economic bomb shell...

Hamel gained a measure of prominence as president of the Loring Development Authority, which helped to transform Loring into a business center. Hamel said it has restored more than 1,000 jobs in the hard-hit region.

"We now have 20 thriving organizations at Loring -- more civilian workers employed today than prior to the closure," said Hamel, adding that Aroostook's population has reversed a steady decline.

Full Article

[larryjohnson]

I was interested in your take of enthusiasm of the delegates in light of the polite applause comment in the first article.
have been catching up at www.asmainegoes.com
---Thanks

[Uncle Jaque]

Isn't this Charles Summers guy one of O'SNOWE's lackeys?
He looks like the fellow who regularly represents her at the County Committee Meetings?

Didn't the GOP run one of her RINO quisling rumpswabs (unsuccessfully, of course) for 2nd District in the 2002 election?

Is this HAMEL chap any good? Is he a real Old-Line Constitutionalist Republican, or another RINO SNOWE-CLONE?

Is anyone other than one of Sen. SNOWE's personally picked Staff members allowed to run for Congress from Maine any more?

Just what we need; replace a 'Rat with another RINO Snowe-Clone in the US House!

Mao Tse Tung would call that "A great leap forward" no doubt... not that Summers stands a snowballs chance of winning, or even coming close here in New Somalia.

Have you heard the radio ad recently sponsored by moveon.org praising our 2 RINO Senators for their "courage" in resisting Pres. Bush's "Tax cuts for the rich"?
That pretty much proves to me which trough these two Queens of Democracy are feeding at!

I've still got a few 2' X 8' red plywood COLLINS signs from her last campaign, by the way; if anyone wants them please advise. Otherwise they are going to the dump, or will be cut up to panel my new outhouse up t' the camp with.

I'm kinda glad I wasn't at the Convention this year, frankly. Probably would've shot my hyperkinetic gob off and offended the sap out of some liberal RINO up there...

...Again.

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You've got mail

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Charlie on the radio.

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The next Speaker of the Maine House, David Bowles introduces 166 House candidates (for 151 seats)

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The candidates line up.

I heard about 1600 delegates were in attendence.

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Our next Governor, Peter Cianchette, heads up the Maine Bush Campaign.

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Brian Hamel, 2nd Congressional District Candidate.

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Secretary Card

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The Maine Right to Life People were there.

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This is Mary Adams, a renouned Maine conservative and property rights advocate.

The "Adams Report"

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Mary Alice Davis (MAD) is another property rights advocate from Falmouth.

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???????????????

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Wonderful, uplifting GOP thread Bump!!
Thanks RL!!
Ms.B