Matt's Take: 2008 Maine Republican Convention

So the 2008 Maine Republican State Convention has come and gone. This past weekend many exciting things happened along with a few hiccups. Regardless of those later items, it was a great event designed to motivate the masses and to push our Republican agenda to the tops of every one's minds. A great speech by former GOP Presidential candidate, Gov. Mitt Romney on Friday night captured a very grateful audience and in an eloquent way, demanded unity with the party faithful. Additionally, Sen. Olympia Snowe, Sen. Susan Collins and congressional candidates, Dean Scontras and John Frary added to the patriotic and embracing atmosphere. I was very pleased, as well as extremely tired, when it was all said and done on Saturday afternoon.

The hiccups along the way that I mentioned were mainly due to a few items that got tangled in the area of the agenda. I'm sure many that went to the event and complained about the time it took for certain things to occur, generally take the volunteers in place for granted. I know what many of them were going through and I respect ALL the volunteers behind the scenes of this event a great deal. So, let's not complain about the event unless you want to volunteer at the next one.

Now, speaking of volunteers, we're going to need plenty this election cycle. The Ron Paul supporters who made it on the city and county committees and the State Committee, I truly hope they stay involved and help our local candidates. Whatever you feel about a presidential candidate can also be transferred to the local arena as well. I will venture to say that most all Republicans in the Maine Legislature are conservatives and do what ever is needed to limit the growth of government. Isn't that one of our principles of the Republican Party, to limit government?

Finally, many of you know I serve as Chairman of the Somerset County Republican Committee and I want to offer my deepest sincere congratulations to my good friend (and somewhat of a mentor), Maine GOP Chairman Mark Ellis. Mark, along with Executive Director Julie Ann O'Brien managed to have not one, but two great speakers attending this years Convention. Gov. Mitt Romney and national political commentator, Cal Thomas. Both men gave wonderful speeches that played very well to our brand of Maine Republicans. Mark and Julie have done a great job with keeping the party together in a trying time during the differences of opinions at the presidential level as well as at the local level. They have pushed hard for working closer with the Republican leadership in the Maine Legislature and you can definitely see the impact with the "McCain Unity Ticket" of national delegates. Regardless of the presidential race, Maine Republicans have to come together to battle our own issues here in Augusta. Again, I thought the convention ended with the enthusiasm that was well needed to move this party forward. I'm glad I attended and am truly glad I am a Republican in Maine.

God Bless America!

Romney wins in my home state of Maine!

Well, my vote counted today in the Maine Caucus and Presidential Preference as Gov. Mitt Romney won the state by very convincing numbers. In my county of Somerset, Romney garnered about 51% to McCains nearly 26% and surprising Ron Paul got about 13% to Mike Huckabee's 9% where additionally 1% of voters were undecided. It was a great day for Maine Republicans that participated in the process.

As the poll numbers come in from around the state, Romney's lead is staying consistant with my county. My major concern of the week leading up to this was of all the support that Ron Paul was gaining. I'm not saying I am bothered by his stances and such, just that I believe him to be a low level tier candidate that cannot gain the same amount of support in other parts of the country. I did not want to see a Paul victory in Maine for the very reason of not supporting a major candidate. Now if Paul had won a primary by now I may be OK with it. However, even with Huckabee only winning a few states, he is still in my eyes a lower tier candidate.

I honestly thought that McCain would give more of a fight to Romney in Maine. McCain had the support of our ranking members of the party with Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Olympia Snowe as well as Maine House Minority Leader Josh Tardy. I really looked at it like with that much fire power, how could he not win in a moderate state? Well, that is why I do not get paid to make predictions about politics.

I did get up and say a few words on behalf of Sen. Collins and try to gain some support for her. I was asked if i would do that by her office and I accepted because I think she has a done a wonderful job representing Maine while she has been in Washington. Additionally, I also spoke of my upcoming election as a Town Selectman that is in March. I encouraged all the voters that to take part in that process of a Town Meeting. I like seeing people be involved, even if I do always agree with their view. This allows for more opinions and viewpoints to be heard as well as ideas being floated around during trying times. That is what our country was built of from ...ideas!

I will close with saying that it was very nice seeing all the people come out to my local caucus and the ones located across my county to participate in the very unique voting process. I hope those individuals continue to support the Somerset County Republican Committee and the Maine Republican Party as well as all our local candidates as they are the reason I do all the volunteer work that I do. I love politics and I truly love my State of Maine and the passion in wanting it to prosper for the future generations of Mainers.

God Bless America!