Posted on 04/25/2011 6:19:35 PM PDT by mandaladon
In the Maine Senate race, both Democrats and conservative Republicans have their eye on Sen. Olympia Snowe's (R-Maine) seat, but so far, no top contender from either side has emerged, and there does not appear to be an obvious candidate-in-waiting in sight, according to observers and operatives in the state.
During a recent briefing, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Patty Murray identified Maine as a possible Democratic pickup opportunity in 2012. Conservative Republicans too, would also like to unseat the moderate senator. She's attracted two GOP challengers to her right -- Maine Tea Party Patriots head Andrew Ian Dodge and businessman Scott D'Amboise -- but neither is seen as a strong threat in the GOP race.
"I can't imagine Olympia Snowe losing in a general election," said University of Maine political scientist Mark Brewer. "I do think there's a possibility that if there were someone -- a good candidate from the right of her -- in the Republican primary, they could possibly give her some problems, but at this point, i just can't seem to come up with much in the way of a name."
"I haven't heard of anybody else," said Maine GOP Chair Charles Webster. "There are a lot of factors besides just the fact that she may not appeal to the Tea Party wing of the Republican party. She's built a strong, solid base among Republicans across the state."
Carol Weston, the director of Americans for Prosperity-Maine and a former state representative and senator, is not ruling out a primary challenge to Snowe, but she has not yet taken formal steps to launch a campaign.
(Excerpt) Read more at hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com ...
I could definitely see her pulling a Murkowski if she's primaried out.
I hope she’s vulnerable, I hope she’s beatable in a primary by a good Conservative, if there is one in Maine.
Most of ME sadly is sucking off of the gov’t teat in some way or another. It’s a tough place to live and I have great respect for hardy down easters who prevail against all odds. There is a great contrast between private enterprise and the welfare queens.
I pray to God they still have the “lobstah’s” to take this b**ch down.
She must be rather long in the tooth by now. She has been around a long time.
Olympia Snowe is a socialist.
If they can get her out, that would be great — but they should bear in mind that a credible primary challenge, even if ultimately unsuccessful, might persuade her to move to her right just out of self-interest.
She should NOT get a free ride.
Just another member of the Socialist wing of the Republican party.
Yes, a good AND electable conservative please. No more Christine O' Donnell's who plainly have no chance to win a general election and predictably go on to lose by an embarrassing 17 point margin to a socialist technocrat with the personality of a tree stump.
Based on her voting, would we notice?
I saw her on a talk show ... she didn’t look well. Was shaking like she had Parkinsons. Best thing for her to do would be to retire and take better care of herself.
Fidel Castro and Oylimpis Snowe, has anyone seen them at the same place and same time?
I don’t know her emotional state.
Well, no use looking for an experienced Maine politician who is a conservative Republican. As far as I know, there aren’t any.
I think they just need to get behind a good, solid candidate with appeal and money and real values, and go all out. After all, they did win the governor’s race last fall.
She will have a new snow job for her voters before the election.
I wouldn’t mind seeing her retire, provided that the Republican nominee is electable.
If she is NOT vulnerable, then no Republican is! Now this is Maine so everything is up for grabs, but really if Maine continues along their voting pattern, they can simply go away and nobody will care...
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