As I have blogged previously, I started an anti-Lepage Facebook page which now is closing in on 2000 likes. (1936 currently) Occasionally I get feedback from Lepage fans. Several of them have pointed out accusingly that "you don't like him because he is politically incorrect." Somehow the term, politically incorrect has morphed into something right wingers use to describe any of their heroes who push a more conservative agenda.
Do they really understand what the term politically correct, or in this case incorrect, means? Originally it meant a certain way of speaking "correctly" when talking about issues of race, gender, sexual orientation,etc. In other words, saying mentally handicapped instead of retarded, African American instead of black or colored (or worse) or using gender neutral terms like chairperson instead of chairwoman or chairman. That type of thing. Think of Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin's "legitimate rape" comment. That was clearly a sexist, "politically incorrect" comment.
While Governor Lepage has said politically incorrect things,like when he dismissed BPA worries by saying, "Worse case scenario, some women may have little beards," most of his outrageous comments are just uncouth and rude. These folks who champion Lepage and others of his ilk, are using an inappropriate term ( politically incorrect) to describe the views of their leaders. Or more exactly, the stupid way these leaders express their views, no matter what kind of views those are.
Maybe I am making a big deal over nothing. But it seems to me they are trying to use the term politically correct to describe an orthodoxy that we liberals are trying to enforce upon them that goes far beyond the original meaning. In this way, they can gloss over the abusive and bad mannered histrionics of their leaders, and put the fault on us liberals. We don't like him/her because they disagree and use colorful terms to express their disagreement.
Most of Paul Lepage's many foolish comments are not politically incorrect, they are just plain inappropriate, whether you agree with him or not. People like him have no place in public office, their proper role would be as talking heads on Fox News so they can spout all the shocking comments they want. Hopefully Lepage's supporters, who give all his boorish expressions the misnomer of "politically incorrect," do not have sufficient numbers to enable him to stay in office. Fox news is calling, Gov Lepage.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Will Mike Michaud Have A Southern Maine Problem?
Our Governor's race is shaping up to be another three man race here in Maine. This time it would seem that the Democrats have a more viable candidate in Mike Michaud. Michaud has served in the US House of Representatives since 2003, and before that he served for twenty plus years in the Maine Legislature. It would seem he would have broad appeal, with his working man background.
My worry is whether Southern Maine liberals, who tend to rate social issues, including abortion rights, on a higher importance scale, fall in behind Michaud? He is Pro-life, although his record in the House has not been rigidly so. He is also pro-gun rights, although he did support background check expansion. Will his more conservative stance on the these two issues hurt him in the South? Might they be more attracted to Democrat turned independent Eliot Cutler?
Cutler has the advantage of having never had to serve in public office, thereby avoiding a track record that could hurt him with some voters. He touts himself as a business friendly candidate, with liberal views on social issues. Its sort of a trick that Angus King was able to pull off with success in his campaigns. Mike Michaud, coming from a very Pro-Union stance, may not appeal as strongly to the more affluent Southern Maine Democrats and independents.
So why couldn't Cutler have competed in the Democratic Primary against Michaud? This way we Dems, from all over the state, could have made our choice to go up against Paul Lepage. We certainly don't want Cutler and Michaud to spend a lot of time and money fighting one another, when the target should be the embarrassment that is Paul Lepage.
The last issue that I think could affect Michaud negatively is not really a substantive issue at all. Those of us who have seen Mike Michaud speak, realize he is not the most gifted speaker. That alone should not disqualify anyone from running successfully for office. However, in this age of media driven politics, could it, in fact, hurt him with some voters. If Cutler is able to project a more suave, polished image, could this swing some voters his way, and weaken Michaud's Position? After all, Cutler is a successful lawyer with degrees from Harvard Law and Georgetown University.
This brings us to the crux of the problem with the modern Democratic party. In some respects, we have lost our ability to appeal to working people, who worry more about bread and butter issues, than gay marriage or abortion rights. To succeed we need to try not to appear to be the party of the country club liberal elite, who do not care about, or understand, the problems of the average financially strapped voter.
Look, I realize this "country club" comparison hardly describes the majority of Southern Maine Democrats. However, if enough Democrats and independents do fall into that category, it is possible that we could deliver the 2014 election into the hands of Paul Lepage. I hope Eliot Cutler, with his ample personal wealth, and wealthy supporters, does not manage to make this nightmare scenario a reality...again.
My worry is whether Southern Maine liberals, who tend to rate social issues, including abortion rights, on a higher importance scale, fall in behind Michaud? He is Pro-life, although his record in the House has not been rigidly so. He is also pro-gun rights, although he did support background check expansion. Will his more conservative stance on the these two issues hurt him in the South? Might they be more attracted to Democrat turned independent Eliot Cutler?
Cutler has the advantage of having never had to serve in public office, thereby avoiding a track record that could hurt him with some voters. He touts himself as a business friendly candidate, with liberal views on social issues. Its sort of a trick that Angus King was able to pull off with success in his campaigns. Mike Michaud, coming from a very Pro-Union stance, may not appeal as strongly to the more affluent Southern Maine Democrats and independents.
So why couldn't Cutler have competed in the Democratic Primary against Michaud? This way we Dems, from all over the state, could have made our choice to go up against Paul Lepage. We certainly don't want Cutler and Michaud to spend a lot of time and money fighting one another, when the target should be the embarrassment that is Paul Lepage.
The last issue that I think could affect Michaud negatively is not really a substantive issue at all. Those of us who have seen Mike Michaud speak, realize he is not the most gifted speaker. That alone should not disqualify anyone from running successfully for office. However, in this age of media driven politics, could it, in fact, hurt him with some voters. If Cutler is able to project a more suave, polished image, could this swing some voters his way, and weaken Michaud's Position? After all, Cutler is a successful lawyer with degrees from Harvard Law and Georgetown University.
This brings us to the crux of the problem with the modern Democratic party. In some respects, we have lost our ability to appeal to working people, who worry more about bread and butter issues, than gay marriage or abortion rights. To succeed we need to try not to appear to be the party of the country club liberal elite, who do not care about, or understand, the problems of the average financially strapped voter.
Look, I realize this "country club" comparison hardly describes the majority of Southern Maine Democrats. However, if enough Democrats and independents do fall into that category, it is possible that we could deliver the 2014 election into the hands of Paul Lepage. I hope Eliot Cutler, with his ample personal wealth, and wealthy supporters, does not manage to make this nightmare scenario a reality...again.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
SUSAN COLLINS & PAUL LEPAGE:A STRANGE PAIRING
But Republicans of a feather stick together. Bosom buddies Susan and Paul are, as far as his reelection campaign is concerned. Susan was right there to co-host the posh Lepage fundraiser with Jeb Bush. Of course Jeb is supposed to be another somewhat moderate Republican, but that didn't stop the guy from boosting Lepage. Kennebunkport was a who's who in the Maine Republican party yesterday as they slinked in to wine and dine with their own.
Olympia Snowe lent her name as a sponsor but said she and Jock had other plans. I think she probably didn't want to be seen with Lepage, who is rather crude oil, if you know what I mean. (No Vaseline reference intended.) Of course she is not in politics anymore. Having left The Hill, you'd think she'd be a little more independent with her choices. After all she came out for same sex marriage when it didn't cost her or really matter anymore. But she doesn't have the spine to distance herself from Pauly impure heart, the wildly unpopular Governor who could spell disaster for the Republican party in Maine, as well as for the state of Maine itself
Collins has not officially announce her bid for reelection as of yet, but it seems unlikely she would retire from the Senate right now. So far, no Democrat seems to be eyeing a run against her next year. Personally, despite her moderation, I think a Democrat could make more headway then expected. Especially if she keeps up her support for anyone in her party, dolt or otherwise.
PAUL LEPAGE IS RUNNING FOR A SECOND TERM. SURPRISED?
The facebook page I created "Paul Lepage Must Resign" has garnered a pretty decent following.(1200+ likes) I started the page when Governor Lepage spewed forth his outrageous statement aimed at State Sen Troy Jackson and the working people of Maine. In contemplating the fallout from those remarks, and the national coverage, I hope that opposition to Lepage has galvanized in our state.
In the wake of Vaseline-gate, the legislature overrode Lepage's veto of the bipartisan budget. This seems to have plucked Lepage's dictatorial feathers more than the negative reaction to his tirade. He made rumblings that he would not seek a second term and that he might be interested in the second district US Congressional seat. Of course, we now know he IS running for reelection as Governor. This was announced at last nights closed-to-the-press Lepage fundraiser with Jeb Bush in Kennebunkport. I am hardly surprised.
You see, I think Lepage is a megalomaniac who seems to be absolutely sure of his self righteousness. He knows that, even if he did run for the Second District seat and won, which is highly unlikely, he would not have the power he has over the poor people of Maine.
And, I hate to say it, but it is not impossible that he could again squeak through. His latest troubles with his big mouth might have time to fade in some of the voter's minds, and he is again facing a split field,. Democrat Mike Michaud and Democrat turned independent Eliot Cutler will face off with him. Of course, the likelihood of the Governor's idiotic comments continuing on are pretty high.
My fear is that Eliot Cutler will try to discredit Mike Michaud in Southern Maine. Michaud is somewhat of a blue dog Democrat and is not the smoothest speaker. Michaud does have great support from Unions, Veterans (for whom he has done a lot), and many more working class Democrats. Hopefully this will be enough to put him over the top. Wouldn't it be great if Lepage came in third in a field of three?
I also think the Republicans will lose more seats in our legislature, hopefully resulting in a veto proof majority. This would prevent a repeat of the largely successful string of vetoes that have occurred in Lepage's first term. Of course, that is if he is able to finagle a second term.
The election is over a year away, and we Mainers, who are united against this Governor, need to keep our eyes on the prize. The prize being getting this ignoramus out of office and into the private sector. (Marden's anyone?) I personally hope that Cutler and Michaud do not tear each other apart, thereby damaging both their candidacies.
In the wake of Vaseline-gate, the legislature overrode Lepage's veto of the bipartisan budget. This seems to have plucked Lepage's dictatorial feathers more than the negative reaction to his tirade. He made rumblings that he would not seek a second term and that he might be interested in the second district US Congressional seat. Of course, we now know he IS running for reelection as Governor. This was announced at last nights closed-to-the-press Lepage fundraiser with Jeb Bush in Kennebunkport. I am hardly surprised.
You see, I think Lepage is a megalomaniac who seems to be absolutely sure of his self righteousness. He knows that, even if he did run for the Second District seat and won, which is highly unlikely, he would not have the power he has over the poor people of Maine.
And, I hate to say it, but it is not impossible that he could again squeak through. His latest troubles with his big mouth might have time to fade in some of the voter's minds, and he is again facing a split field,. Democrat Mike Michaud and Democrat turned independent Eliot Cutler will face off with him. Of course, the likelihood of the Governor's idiotic comments continuing on are pretty high.
My fear is that Eliot Cutler will try to discredit Mike Michaud in Southern Maine. Michaud is somewhat of a blue dog Democrat and is not the smoothest speaker. Michaud does have great support from Unions, Veterans (for whom he has done a lot), and many more working class Democrats. Hopefully this will be enough to put him over the top. Wouldn't it be great if Lepage came in third in a field of three?
I also think the Republicans will lose more seats in our legislature, hopefully resulting in a veto proof majority. This would prevent a repeat of the largely successful string of vetoes that have occurred in Lepage's first term. Of course, that is if he is able to finagle a second term.
The election is over a year away, and we Mainers, who are united against this Governor, need to keep our eyes on the prize. The prize being getting this ignoramus out of office and into the private sector. (Marden's anyone?) I personally hope that Cutler and Michaud do not tear each other apart, thereby damaging both their candidacies.
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