Of the 151 seats in the Maine House of Representatives, only 19 of them will offer a primary option for voters on June 10. One of those 19 Primary Election challenges is taking place right here in Biddeford, and I know both of the Democrats who are battling for their party's favor. Of course, since … Continue reading Two for the show
Cutler: On the defense, or on the move?
With less than six months to go before the November election, all three of Maine's gubernatorial candidates seem to be picking up the pace of their campaigns. In traditional Maine politics, this sort of ramping up usually comes toward the end of summer, just ahead of a Labor Day surge that leads to an October sprint for … Continue reading Cutler: On the defense, or on the move?
Smoke on the water
Attitudes regarding marijuana have dramatically changed during the past two decades. Those in favor of legalizing the drug are finding increasing support from an expanding constituency, including millenials who can now vote and health care providers who say the drug can benefit their patients. Even retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens --- not a likely … Continue reading Smoke on the water
How not to use social media in a campaign
There is a right way to use social media in a campaign. And there is a wrong way to use social media in a campaign. The following could be forgiven if it came from a political novice, but not when it comes from the governor's re-election team. Here's a game you can play at home. … Continue reading How not to use social media in a campaign
Primary Colors
Allow me to make a bold prediction. Voter turnout for Maine's 2014 Primary Elections on June 10 will be absolutely dismal. Taxpayers across Maine will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for an absolute non-event; an utter waste of time and resources, all in the name of a Democratic process that doesn't work without a contest. … Continue reading Primary Colors
Eight days a week
I am simultaneously annoyed and grateful. It's that time of year again, and I still want to ignore it. I still want to wish it away, block it from my reality. But this will be the fifth consecutive year of having family and friends gather for a walk in nearby Kennebunkport. Maybe that's not such a … Continue reading Eight days a week
Social media and Maine’s gubernatorial campaign
Despite all the hoopla about the power of social media tools in political campaigns, what metrics can we use to determine if those tools are effective? While just about anyone can set up a Twitter account or create a Facebook page, social media tools are only as effective as those who are using them. Although … Continue reading Social media and Maine’s gubernatorial campaign
Third time is the charm?
While most people were picking out green outfits, drinking lots of beer or otherwise wasting time on St. Patrick's Day, one select group of folks were bracing for potential fame and fortune as hopeful members of the 2015 Maine Legislature. The deadline for wannabe state representatives and state senators came and went at 5 p.m. … Continue reading Third time is the charm?
Silver and Gold
I don't know what metric you use to measure your life, but I learned something valuable last night as the hours counted down toward my 50th birthday. Despite all the material benchmarks and the conventional wisdom about what a man should accomplish in the first 50 years of his life, there is no better metric … Continue reading Silver and Gold
Color me bad
You find the weirdest stuff on Facebook. This morning, I stumbled across a new Facebook page that is dedicated to the idea of reclaiming the color blue for Republicans. At first blush, I thought this was one of the silliest things. But then, I started thinking about it. Why would the GOP want the color … Continue reading Color me bad
NOTES TO CARL | LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY 