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Aired Friday, June 6 at 8:00pm. Democrat Tom Ledue had the floor to himself, after Rep. Tom Allen declined NEWS CENTER’s invitation to take part in a Voice of the Voter Candidate Forum. Moderator Pat Callaghan covered a wide ranged of issues, from his status as a political newcomer to foreign policy, in the half-hour discussion with Ledue. To watch the forum, click on “Play Video”, to the right of this story. |
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By Glenn Adams AUGUSTA, Maine—Tom Allen contrasted his record with that of Susan Collins, the Republican he wants to replace in the U.S. Senate. But first the six-term congressman must get by Tom Ledue, a political newcomer who just wants people to know who he is. Ledue, who has taught and coached in eight schools from Millinocket to Eliot, said he didn’t get to the convention podium through the usual paths. He faces Allen in the June 10 primary. “While I have not climbed a political ladder, I have climbed a ladder of service. I am a family man, a husband, a father and an educator with 25 years of experience in the trenches, as an administrator, a teacher a coach and a guide. I am a worker, a thinker and a leader who will rock the boat for the common good.” Allen, a former Rhodes Scholar who’s been Portland’s mayor and has represented southern Maine’s 1st District for a dozen years, needs little introduction to Maine voters. In his prepared remarks Saturday, he sought to emphasize contrasts between himself and Collins. Tops on his list was the war in Iraq. “I believe we should set a firm deadline to bring our troops home safely and responsibly from Iraq,” said Allen. “She doesn’t.” Collins has supported efforts to make Iraq assume more war-related responsibilities and transition U.S. troops from direct combat missions. In his speech, Allen also called for action to punish waste, fraud and profiteering in Iraq. He sought to drive a wedge between Collins and her fellow Republicans — Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe and Sen. John McCain — on President Bush’s tax-break legislation. “After 12 years in Congress, I don’t know where Susan Collins really stands on health care issues, but I have a long record of accomplishment,” said Allen, who has proposed a universal health care plan that would include government or private coverage. Ledue called for new priorities in federal spending “away from the military industrial complex,” leaving Iraq “quickly,” and more emphasis on renewable energy. The convention keynote speaker, Sen. Dick Durban of Illinois, an Obama supporter who is the Democrats’ No. 2 leader in the chamber, was also scheduled to address the convention. Earlier, convention delegates heard speeches urging party unity. Party leaders have been demanding a quick end to the race between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton for the presidential nomination, fearing deep scars it could leave if it goes on much longer. But delegates to the state convention, which winds up Sunday, don’t all feel such a sense of urgency to end the contest. Several delegates interviewed by The Associated Press were split on the matter. “I think we are all going to support whoever wins” the nomination, Rebecca Stuart of Harpswell, an Obama delegate, said during a break in convention business Saturday. Stuart’s view was shared by Maureen MacCallum of Kittery, a Clinton delegate. “The message I hear loud and clear is we’re all on the same page — we don’t want John McCain and we want a unified Democratic Party,” said MacCallum. “I absolutely don’t think there’s a rush (for Clinton) to get out of the race. I think Hillary has good sense and good judgment, and when she knows it’s the time to get out or it would be detrimental, she’d get out,” said MacCallum. Delegate Andrew Grannell of Portland disagreed. Grannell, who wore an Obama campaign button, said the campaign has been long and “extraordinary … an enormous exercise for the Democratic Party and democracy.” “But I think some of the politics were destructive and not helpful,” said Grannell. “There definitely needs to be time for healing, and Obama’s got to take the lead. We’ve got to take this enormous, muscular machine and put it to work. The healing part is absolutely essential.” Others interviewed at random were split about evenly about whether the race needs to end very soon, but the issue may turn out to be moot. Obama was only 42 delegates short of the 2,026 needed to clinch the nomination and appeared on track to clinch it in the coming days. Republican Sen. McCain clinched his party’s nod in March. Party officials said 3,000 delegates turned out for Saturday’s events at the Augusta Civic Center, 1,000 more than on Friday’s opening day. |
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This week on Maine Watch are the Maine Democrats running for U.S. Senate, 1st District Congressman Tom Allen and educator Tom Ledue. Congressman Allen has declined invitations to participate in primary debates, including MPBN’s debate. Ledue appeared alone. The guests on Maine Watch were USM Professor emeritus Oliver Woshinsky and Christian Potholm of Bowdoin College. They were asked about the wisdom of Allen’s strategy and Ledue’s chances of winning. For a link to MPBN Maine Watch with Jennifer Rooks On-Demand May 23, 2008 webpage click here
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Tom Ledue appeared WSCH TV on “207″ on with Pat Callaghan. Tom discussed the reason for his candicacy and answered policy questions related to energy security, healthcare, and education. For a link to the WSCH webpage on this episode click here. |
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On Saturday, May 17th there will be a Fun(d)raiser at THE COMEDY BARN in Sanford. - The Comedy Barn is located at Spectator Sports Bar. - Featured Comedian Bob Gautreau - event starts at 8:00 PM - Tickets are just $10 each - email your order today! Please only buy tickets if you can come - if you want to donate but cannot join us that won’t be as much fun but we will celebrate your contribution! |
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Paid for by Ledue for Senate.
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