Michaud has announced for the US Senate

[ticapnews]

Pingree is still weighing her options. She should stay right where she is and go for Susan's seat when it becomes available.

House Minority Leader Emily Cain (D) and Sen. Deb Plowman (R) are expected to announce bids for Michaud's seat.

http://bangordailynews.com/2012/02/29/politics/mike-michaud-enters-senate-race/

[MaineDem]

1. Michaud has taken out papers

Emily and Plowman have as well (for CD 2). Cynthia Dill and Jon Hinck have papers out for CD 1 instead of Senate.

Lots more news to come.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. If Dill and Hinck have taken out papers for CD1

does that imply that they believe Pingree is going for the Senate?

[MaineDem]

5. Yup! n/t

[MaineDem]

2. John Baldacci has taken out papers now.

This is going to be a fast-paced 24 hours.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. What is the general perception of Baldacci?

Was he popular at the end of his term?

[ticapnews]

6. No

I got the impression that he spent his last few months in office feathering his nest for life after politics. I don't think most legislators ever trusted him again after he killed a tax reform package that was universally liked (much more than any other plan) with backroom deals and lots of arm-twisting. I'm a Democrat through and through, met the man, voted for him twice but he has no business running for any office higher than dog catcher.

[sandyd921]

8. Agree.

I see no energy among the grassroots ignited by Baldacci.

[RBInMaine]

13. I think your end statement is a bit harsh, but I do agree that after 8 years as Gov. people do not

want to return to Baldacci for another high office, and he led everyone to believe he wasn't going to run for office again. Remember, just taking out papers doesn't mean anyone will ultimately run.

[ticapnews]

7. Angus King and Eliot Cutler might run

King has had his eye on this seat for a long time. Both candidates would draw support from Democrats away from our nominee and increase the probability of a Republican snagging the seat.

[sandyd921]

9. Michaud not my choice.

I'm looking for an actual progressive not a get along, go along Dem like Michaud. I live in the 2nd and have voted for Michaud, because my only other choice is to vote for a rethug.

Right now Chellie has my support should she choose to run. She's a dependable progressive with no problem with name recognition. I don't know how she'll do in the 2nd, but I can't see Michaud lighting any fires in the 1st.

[MaineDem]

10. Chellie is in.

She took out papers today.

[ticapnews]

11. Not necessarily

Everyone is taking out papers and getting signatures because of the March 15 deadline, but she said on the news tonight that she's still thinking about it. She may end up running, but I bet her advisers tell her to stay in the House for now.

If she decides not to run that puts a big wrench in Hinck's plans....

[MaineDem]

12. She's in as much as Mike and Baldacci

I'm told she's running.

[ticapnews]

14. That's a mistake, IMHO

She's a relative newbie in the House and natural successor to Susan Collins. Let Mike have this one (Baldy running is a joke) and stay in the House.

But, if she thinks Susan is going to run again, that seat won't open up until 2020 and maybe she doesn't want to wait.

[MaineDem]

15. BUT, if Mike wins the primary we could very well lose the House seat

It would be MUCH easier for a Dem to retain the CD1 seat than Mike's seat.

[ticapnews]

16. True

Just imagine if the GOP redistricting plan had gone through. CD2 would almost certainly go red.

[ticapnews]

17. Chellie is still deciding

Email from Chellie:

What an incredible 48 hours it's been!

As many of you have heard, Senator Olympia Snowe has decided to retire from the U.S. Senate. And the outpouring of support from folks across Maine and across the whole country urging me to fill her seat has been simply overwhelming. I'm truly honored.

Last night, I spoke to Rachel Maddow about the prospect of running for Senate. With Washington acting so hyper-partisan lately, I told her that what the Senate really needs is some Maine common sense.

I never intended to run for Senate this year. But your love and support -- from phone calls to emails to all the petition signatures -- has been so humbling.

I look forward to keeping you updated in the coming days.

All the best,

Chellie