Sen. Chandler Woodcock of Farmington was the only candidate for governor to speak out against gay rights and for the Taxpayers Bill of Rights in his stump speech at the Republican State Convention two weeks ago – apparently trying to carve out the conservative planks included in the party’s platform.
Sen. Peter Mills, of Cornville, labeled by some as too moderate, spoke of his family’s public service – his father was a federal prosecutor under two Republican presidents and his wife is a superior court judge. He reminded the crowd he had successfully defeated a Democratic proposal to borrow $250 million last year to fill a hole in the state budget.
Former Congressman David Emery, of St. George, fell back on his roots as a Reagan Republican – he worked as a Reagan appointee after leaving Congress in 1983 – and touted he was the only one of the three leading Republicans in the race running on private funds versus public. Mills and Woodcock are running as Clean Election candidates.
The three candidates, speaking on the opening day of the Republican State Convention at the Augusta Civic Center Friday, tried to differentiate themselves, while focusing on the ultimate opponent – Democratic Gov. John Baldacci.
One will emerge as the Republican candidate out of the June 13 primary, joined by Green Party candidate Pat LaMarche and the independent candidates, who make the filing deadline next month, to oppose Baldacci in November.
Mills, who came to the podium first, said, “I want to be your next governor – and I mean business.” His theme song was “Taking Care of Business,” by Bachman Turner Overdrive.
Often described as the brainiest candidate running on either side, Mills said he went to Harvard on a Navy scholarship and then to Vietnam.
He brought the crowd, estimated to be around 1,700 at its peak, to its feet, when he praised the Maine men and women serving in the armed services today.
Emery, up next, was introduced as, “The change Maine needs.” He invoked Ronald Reagan’s belief “that America’s greatest days are yet ahead,” and said that kind of optimism was needed in Maine. He said he was not using taxpayer money to fund his campaign, “to prove I am serious about cutting spending.” Emery exited the hall to a brass band playing, “When the Saints Come Marching In.”
Woodcock was the last to speak and was introduced by the man some had hoped would be the Republican candidate this year – former Senate President Rick Bennett. He got a second introduction from Minority Leader Sen. Paul Davis – who was challenged for his leadership position by some of the more moderate senators now supporting Mills.
Woodcock, a Vietnam vet as well, also called for support of Maine troops serving in Iraq, but went further saying, “your cause is just.”
He spoke in favor of the Taxpayers Bill of Rights – a spending cap that will be on the November ballot – and against gay rights. “I’m opposed to special rights, and believe that marriage is between a man and a woman.”
TABOR and the so-called marriage amendment were added to the Republican platform in votes taken by the convention on Saturday.
The theme of Woodcock’s speech was, “It’s a matter of trust” and he exited the hall to the song, “Right Now,” by Van Halen.
All three men attacked the Democrats and Baldacci on some common themes:
• the high cost of health insurance and what they said was the failure of Dirigo Health to address those costs
• high taxes
• cronyism in government and lack of accountability
“John Baldacci spends much of his time patting himself on the back for the things that Maine people do well, while blaming others for his own failures,” said Mills. “Two weeks ago he took credit for Maine’s population increase while blaming Governor King for population losses in the 90s….We eagerly await the day that Baldacci claims credit for the beginning of summer in June.”
Woodcock blasted the governor for over-promising on tax relief, affordable health insurance and better cell phone coverage. Holding a cell phone up at the podium, he asked, “Governor, can you hear me now?”
Emery criticized the governor for continuing to blame King for the state’s budget woes, referring to a speech Baldacci made in Bangor.
“He told the audience he was working hard to solve the budget problems he had inherited from the previous administration,” Emery said. “But wait a minute. John Baldacci has been governor for the past four years, not Angus King.”
The Democrats will have their chance to attack the Republicans at the Democratic State Convention scheduled for June 2 and 3. It also will be held in the Augusta Civic Center.
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