Posted on 09/20/2010 9:27:31 AM PDT by freespirited
The Tea Party effect may have hit Maines sometimes-liberal Republican Senator Olympia Snowe on Friday as a new Public Policy Polling poll suggested she might have to consider running as a Democrat in 2012 if she wants to keep her job something that conservative Scott DAmboise, who announced his candidacy back in February, is jumping at.
In a phone interview with The Daily Caller, DAmboise said the poll illustrates Maine conservatives disappointment with Snowes voting record and that he isnt surprised that Snowes popularity among Maine Democrats is growing. He said hed definitely call Snowe a RINO, or Republican in Name Only.
Realistically, shed be very hard to beat as an independent or a Democrat, DAmboise said. A lot of Republicans in the state are upset with her voting record and what has happened over the past few terms she has served. Conservative Republicans, in particular, and conservative independents are looking to make a change and feel that they have lost confidence in her ability to, especially on the Republican side, stay on the more conservative side.
Snowe was the only Republican member of the Senate
Finance Committee to vote in favor of Obamacare. Though she didnt vote for the final version of the bill in December 2009, it was Snowes vote that got the bill over its final hurdles and onto the Senate floor.
DAmboise held just one political office in his life: He was a town selectman for one term, and didnt run for re-election because he had promised his community he wouldnt. He also ran and lost in a Republican primary for one of Maines two congressional representative seats.
DAmboise launched his current senatorial campaign more than two years before the 2012 election because he said Snowes connections and financial backers are going to be tough to beat.
She hasnt had anyone run against her in the primary ever, except maybe for her first term, DAmboise said. No one would dare challenge her.
He said Snowe has a political machine behind her and he needs to be ready for a rough race over the next couple years.
DAmboise said disappointment with Snowe runs deep in Maine, and he attributes it to more than just her voting record and it extends to the states congressional representatives and Senator Susan Collins.
They dont come and talk to us, DAmboise said. Not one of them held a town meeting last year. Not one town meeting. They dont listen to We the People.
DAmboises campaign, at this point, is volunteer-only and isnt in full swing yet, because he doesnt want to take the momentum away from the states ongoing gubernatorial and congressional races. But, his supporters are working on making sure hes got a shot come 2012.
Erin Foglietta, a graphic designer in Maine volunteering for DAmboises campaign, created his website, because she believes in his message and is fed up with Snowes lack of dependability.
I know that he [DAmboise] is a genuine person and wants to take government back to something that is trustworthy, Foglietta told TheDC in a phone interview.
Foglietta said DAmboises early announcement for candidacy is a way for him to be ready to roll when the time comes.
Paul Trommer, an active conservative in the state, said Maines welfare-friendly rating is unbelievable and he thinks DAmboise will be able to fix it.
Were a welfare basket-case, Trommer told TheDC in a phone interview. Maine has instant welfare. For instance, if you show up, get off the bus, you instantly have welfare.
Trommer said people come to Maine from New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and Massachusetts and elsewhere to get free health care, because, he said, the states long-term influence from Democrats and RINOs has badly affected the system. In Bangor, we wonderful medical facilities, with two hospitals, Trommer said. We have people coming in on the bus and theyll walk in for medical treatment and they have to be treated.
Foglietta wouldnt even call Snowe a RINO.
Id classify her [Snowe] as a Democrat, a liberal Democrat, Foglietta told TheDC.
Foglietta has both noticed a more active conservative voter base in Maine.
Ive noticed an upwards swing of rallies up here, Foglietta said. I think its because people are starting to pay attention.
DAmboise hasnt yet reached out to Sarah Palins Tea Party Express or Dick Armeys FreedomWorks, but said he plans to look for some more organized help after the November midterm elections are over.
Snowe didnt return phone calls or voicemails from TheDC seeking comment.
Good for him, being willing to oppose Olympia Snowe. I think she's like Lisa Murkowski; she believes it's HER seat, and she shouldn't be challenged by anyone, especially a Republican!
Nah, that was Han Solo! ;o)
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