Posted on 05/29/2010 1:39:14 AM PDT by truthfreedom
. . . “We’re seeing our taxes go up and our freedoms eroded,” said LePage to hoots and hollers. “The government is putting the shackles of economic slavery to each and every one of us. The Maine taxpayer has been put at an extreme disadvantage.”
One in a field of seven Republicans vying for the party’s nomination to run for governor, LePage has branded himself as a fiscal and social conservative who identifies with Tea Party principles, a strategy that has fueled his rise from a local politician to serious candidate for the Blaine House.
Scenes like the spaghetti supper in Palmyra are common, said LePage, an indication that he has stirred up grass-roots support across Maine from people who want smaller government and lower taxes. . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at bangordailynews.com ...
LePage, if he won, would be a sitting Governor at the end of his first term in 2014, when Collins would be up for reelection. If he chose to take on Collins, he would be in a powerful position to do so.
He doesn't have strong ties to Collins, as some other candidates do. Beardsley, basically a solid guy, a good conservative, with the right positions on the issues to challenge Collins, apparently gave Collins a job a few years ago. This indicates to me that he'd be unlikely to challenge her in a Republican Primary in 2014. In addition, there are rumors that Beardsley joined the race in order to take conservative votes from LePage for the benefit of Abbott.
Abbott is Collins' chief of staff. I can't imagine that he'd challenge her. More likely, he'd replace her when she wanted to leave. A RINO as well
The rest have RINO tendencies. Mills might be considered a DIABLO (if I recall what that means correctly) who might actually be worse than Collins. Otten and Poliquin wouldn't be an upgrade over Collins. Jacobsen is a interesting one. Smart, I like him. Not as strong on the issues as LePage (by that I mean he's not conservative enough). Not well known or rich or politically connected. But the most charismatic, the best speaker, and he seems like he really can explain some core principles (like states rights) extremely well. If he was the Senator from Maine, he would bring in a bit of star power. I would say that, next to LePage, Jacobsen would be the 2nd choice to empower with the Governorship for a run at Collins or Snowe.
So, you're gonna want to donate to LePage, to make sure that he wins the Primary. Primary turnout is expected to be less than 100K, perhaps significantly so. 30K votes could win this race. The Primary is on June 8, 10 days away. LePage is asking for $ now so that yard signs can be printed and placed on good private locations with good visibility.
http://lepage2010.com/
Voted already for him.
Good deal!
I’ve met all 7 GOP candidates. Listened to them and looked at their backgrounds.
Paul Lepage stands head and shoulders over all of them.
He’s is the first candidate I’ve promoted and helped in 30 years.
That’s impressive. I haven’t met any of them. Donated to LePage. I don’t want to give the impression that LePage is without flaw. He could use some better debating skills. And it would be nice if he had Otten’s money. But he’s the right man for the job here at this time.
As Governor, I’d expect cuts in spending and cuts in taxes. He’s the General Manager of Mardens and the Mayor of Waterville, so he has an understanding of budgets. GM of Mardens is a very good resume point. It’s a discount chain. In order to run a discount chain successfully, you have to be aware of costs. You have to be able to recognize value.
You have to purchase goods cheaply, and keep operating costs as low as possible. Keeping operating costs low, cutting those costs probably helped LePage cut taxes so many times.
Maine has high taxes and a government which is way too big. And budget problems to a greater or lesser degree as all states have. LePage I think is the most likely to make the right cuts. I expect some Chris Christie-ishness from LePage, perhaps being tough with state employees unions, teachers unions, finding ways to cut costs. It’s not a message of his - he has promised welfare reform, and I am confident he will find savings there, and also fix the problems with the welfare system. Abbott, I think, is missing the boat on LePages appeal. LePage could’ve taken any number of things as his signature issue, he chose welfare.
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