I guess Elizabeth Mitchell wasn't all that fond of the concept, and decided to undermine the message.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Libby Mitchell has pulled out of a forum scheduled for Thursday in Bangor because the forum’s organizers did not invite all five candidates.

Mitchell, Republican Paul LePage and independent Eliot Cutler were invited to a leaders roundtable breakfast hosted by the Bangor Region Development Alliance, Maine Ahead and Bangor Metro. Two other independents, Kevin Scott and Shawn Moody, were not invited.

“By winning primaries or gathering signatures, five candidates earned a spot on the general election ballot,” Mitchell said in a statement. “At this early stage, when voters are still learning where the candidates stand and what their visions are for Maine, all of the candidates should be included in the debates.”

Debates like the one Mitchell is fleeing refusing to attend are hosted by various groups. The groups who host debates have the right to determine which candidates will attend, and it is in their best interest to invite only those who have a legitimate chance of being elected. There is a very good reason that groups make these decisions - candidate time is limited, and valuable. All candidates are not created equal. Some of them are going to lose, and everyone knows it. Limiting debates to those who will likely win maximizes the amount of time each invited (and viable) candidate can speak.

Career politicians like Libby Mitchell know Scott and Moody are destined to lose the election, but she has made the decision to seek solidarity with also-rans. In this instance, though, I think "solidarity" should be read as "political cover." I do not think Mitchell's campaign expected poll results like these. LePage on top? Cutler cutting into her support? Darn it...wasn't Maine supposed to be a blue state? Like far too many politicians, Mitchell seemed to regard the race for governor as a formality to her ultimate ascension, not an actual election.

It seems Mitchell thinks working to win the race is too much effort, so she's decided to hide behind the also-rans to avoid the icky campaigning thing.

Considering her record, that's actually not a bad decision. I'm a giver, so I offer the Mitchell campaign the following campaign slogan.

You're welcome.

Now, this proposal is fully paid for, in part by closing tax loopholes that encourage corporations to ship American jobs overseas. So it will not add to our deficit. And the money will only go toward saving the jobs of teachers and other essential professionals.

It should not be a partisan issue. I heard the Republican Leader in the House say the other day that this is a special interest bill. And I suppose if America’s children and the safety of our communities are your special interests, then it is a special interest bill. But I think those interests are widely shared throughout this country -- a challenge that affects parents, children and citizens in almost every community in America should not be a Democratic problem or a Republican problem. It is an American problem.

$10 billion of this money goes to the unions. Before the money gets to the "teachers" the unions skim off their share of mandatory "contributions".

The money skimmed by the unions goes directly into the union political advocacy/footsoldier network to get out votes for Dems.

The White House knows what's coming in November, and instead of acknowledging the political reality and changing tactics, the president and his advisers have decided their best course of action is to make the GOP less popular than the administration. As a co-blogger pointed out during an email discussion, this is similar to how Bill Clinton responded to his party's loss in the 1994 election.

Unlike Obama, however, Clinton took a two-pronged approach: attacking the GOP was one part. Pursuing center-right policies was the other. I don't think Obama has the ability or interest in pursuing centrism, so attacks are all he has. I'm not sure it will work as well for Obama as it did for Clinton.

First off, I voted for you in the last GOP primary and made a donation to your presidential campaign. I receive, and read, mailings and emails from your new "Free and Strong America PAC." Although I disagree with some of your positions, I think you're an effective spokesman for conservative, free-market principles.

A small piece of advice, though - the marketing needs a bit work.

Normally, I don't answer calls when the caller ID says "unknown caller." I did tonight, and after the pause of doom, was greeted by a friendly woman who identified herself as being with your PAC. She asked me whether I supported the Obama agenda. I said I did not, and she agreed with me.

She spoke for a few moments about the need to vote liberals out of office, which would be the only way to halt the White House agenda. I agreed with her, and she responded by asking me for a donation of $100. I knew it was coming, so I didn't mind the request. At present, though, I'd had already planned to give money to some missionaries I know who just sent me an email, and perhaps some local candidates.

So I thanked the woman for her time, and said I could not give at this moment. She responded by emphasizing the need to defeat the Obama agenda, and I once again told her I could not give at this time, but thank you for the call. When she began the sales pitch a third time, I politely interrupted her and asked her to respect the answer I had already given.

Her response? To ask me whether $50 would be a better amount.

At this point, I'd had enough, so I apologized and hung up the phone. I don't like to do such things, but it was clear there was no other way to end the call. In the future, please instruct your callers - when I say I cannot donate at this time, the correct answer is to thank me for my time and previous support of you and your cause and hang up.

That would have been a lot less irritating, and would have left open the possibility of me supporting your PAC in the future. As of this moment, I will send my conservative-supporting dollars elsewhere.

Sincerely,
Slublog

There were plenty of questions about her story and a handful about Cutler's positions on the environment, education and the economy.

But most of those who forked out $50 -- or $250 to attend a private reception with the two -- have, to put it charitably, clearly not begun to focus on the gubernatorial campaign.

"I'm a huge fan of hers and I don't know anything about Eliot Cutler, to be honest," said Jeremy Young of Freeport, clutching a "Barefoot Contessa" cookbook for Garten to sign. "Definitely, if it had not been for her, we would not have turned out for this."

Linda Knight of South Portland said she, too, was there more to hear Garten and get her signature on a cookbook than to consider policy options. But she promised to pay attention to Cutler to determine "if I spent my money wisely."

That seems...less than a win.

President Barack Obama, February 10, 2009
Town Hall in Ft. Myers, Florida

The situation we face could not be more serious. We have inherited an economic crisis as deep and as dire as any since the Great Depression. Economists from across the spectrum have warned that if we don’t act immediately, millions more jobs will disappear, and national unemployment rates will approach double digits. More people will lose their homes and their health care. And our nation will sink into a crisis that, at some point, will be much tougher to reverse.

I don't believe it's too late to change course, but it will be if we don't take dramatic action as soon as possible. If nothing is done, this recession could linger for years. The unemployment rate could reach double digits. Our economy could fall $1 trillion short of its full capacity, which translates into more than $12,000 in lost income for a family of four. We could lose a generation of potential and promise, as more young Americans are forced to forgo dreams of college or the chance to train for the jobs of the future. And our nation could lose the competitive edge that has served as a foundation for our strength and standing in the world.

In short, a bad situation could become dramatically worse.

Charlie Rose Show
June 2, 2010

CHARLIE ROSE: As you know, the unemployment rate went up to 10 percent

JOE BIDEN - That`s right.

CHARLIE ROSE: Above 10 percent. There were predictions it would only go up to 8.5 percent.

JOE BIDEN -Right.

CHARLIE ROSE: The president and you have acknowledged you were wrong in those predictions.

JOE BIDEN : By the way, not only us. Every major blue chip index said that because we didn`t understand just how bad the economy we were inheriting was. I mean, I`m not -- We`re responsible. But that prediction was not a -- That was a consensus prediction of the blue chip measurements out there as to what would happen in terms of unemployment. It was higher.

Those words are "projections" not "predictions."

However, if you want to be taken seriously as an advocate for your cause, it might help if you cut your hair, shaved the quasi-beard and took off the marijuana leaf t-shirt.

In short, try not to look like a stoner.

Might help.

I guess Breitbart liked it.

Stuff like this makes blogging fun.

The year he was born, the Treaty of Versailles was signed, ending World War I. In the United States, the 18th Amendment took effect, beginning America's experiment with Prohibition. Both of these events and their consequences would play a role in my grandfather's life. The Treaty of Versailles ensured a future conflict with Germany. That war, and the substance that led to the 18th Amendment and its repeal, would lead to a struggle of a very different kind in the life of a man I would someday call 'Grampy.'

In 1941, my grandfather was a musician who was wooing the woman I would someday call "Grammy." He was the "quiet man of music" perfectly described in Dan Fogelberg's "Leader of the Band." Unfortunately, I do not know how he got my grandmother to marry him or any details of their courtship. All I know is that on December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. At the end of that month, the young couple that I would come to know as my grandparents got married, and my grandfather was sent to fight in a war that he would survive, but never really talk about. After the war, he returned to the US and fathered one of my uncles, my aunt, and the man who would become my father. The Baby Boom generation was born of a nationwide collective desire to overcome the death and destruction of World War II. Those who saw friends fall in battle seemed compelled to create new life as a way of dealing with the horrors they endured. Although they had won a war, world conflict did not end. My grandfather's youngest son, my father, would go on to serve his country in the Navy during America's long Cold War against the Soviet Union.

When I was a child, I knew my grandfather had served in WWII. What I didn't know was what he did in that war. The only stories he was willing to tell were those he found either funny or unassuming. I learned that during the war, my grandfather served as an artillery spotter. One day, in that role, he was looking at an intersection and watching the German army move through it. On that day, he told the artillery to fire for effect. They did, and the shots hit right on target. At this point in the story, he would chuckle and say that he and his fellow solider radioed the artillery to keep on doing what they were doing.

Not all of his stories were as light.

On December 16, 1944, the German army launched an attack that led to what would eventually be known as the Battle of the Bulge. My grandfather was there. The only thing he ever said about the German offensive was that at one point, "things got a little busy for awhile." To this day, I do not know whether my grandfather killed other men in battle, but given his reluctance to talk about it, I suspect he did. I never asked him about it, but if I had, I doubt he would have answered my questions.

My grandfather survived the war, returned to the United States and grew his family. He also, unfortunately, grew dependent on the bottle. I don't know whether his WWII experiences led him to that battle, or whether it preceded the war, but I do know his struggles with alcoholism lasted decades. Ultimately, though, he won that war. His victory allowed him to connect with the children of his children. My memories of him are of a gentle man with a strong hug who liked ice cream with peanut butter and watching the lake on his camp in northern Maine, listening to the loons cry and enjoying the peace and quiet. As a child, I used to enjoy just sitting with him in silence while at the same time wondering why he stared at the water so long. Now, I understand, and wish I had been able to really talk about what he was thinking as he looked at the water. Was he seeking peace? Redemption? Forgiveness?

I will never know.

In February of 1994, my grandfather died. I was 21 years old. Even though I have good memories of him and the many times we spent together, I still feel as though I never really knew him, and I regret to this day not taking the time to talk to him in detail about the years he spent serving his country during the largest conflict in which our country has ever been engaged.

All I know is that I miss him.

This Memorial Day weekend, I urge all of you who have relatives that served in World War II, or Korea, or Vietnam to talk to your loved ones about their experiences in those wars. Learn how they served their country, and thank them for that service. After all, they have earned the opportunity to tell their stories. Make Memorial Day truly meaningful by taking time to listen to those who fought to preserve your freedom.

You will not regret it.

I'm writing something. Not sure what it is yet, or whether it will amount to anything, but I've decided I have far too many unfinished stories and have resolved to finish one. Basically, just to prove I can.

Wish me luck.

At times like this, we need a thermonuclear palate cleanser. The Daisy Scouts have heard your cries, and they deliver:

The Hampden Daisy Troop consists of a dozen 6- and 7-year-old girls who are in first grade at the Earl C. McGraw School. Only five could make it Friday night, however, because of a flu bug that’s been going around, according to Bonnie Quesnel, one of the troop mothers.

Quesnel said the group checked with the airport and troop greeters and was told they needed to bring at least 350 boxes because troop flights range from 150 to 350 passengers. The group, with the help of many supporters, raised enough money to buy 460 boxes of the top three selling Girl Scout Cookie varieties — Peanut Butter Patties, Thin Mints and Caramel deLites, formerly called Samoas.

Jill Cramm, another troop mother, said the idea for the project came to her after she saw, “The Way We Get By,” a documentary about the troop greeters who work out of BIA.

“We watched it as a family and I really got to thinking, ‘What can we do to help the troop greeters?’” Cramm said.

The news of late can be discouraging, but there are green shoots like this that let you know there's hope for the future. And yes, the Maine Troop Greeters take donations.

Cross-posted at The Greenroom.

It's hard reading, but makes me appreciate the extent of His sacrifice.

The doors of the Expo have opened and tickets to see President Barack Obama are being distributed to the line of waiting people.

Nicole Perrine, who was the first in line at 12:45 this morning, walked in quietly, hands in pockets, and when she got the first two tickets held them up and smiled.

"I feel pretty good," she said. "Now I can go home and sleep."

Others leaving after waiting for hours held up tickets happily and smiled.

Carl Inkel, who was third in line, brandished his tickets and said, "Wooo-hooo, Obama rocks."

Which begs the question - why does Obama feel the need to sell his health care plan in the most liberal, urban part of a largely rural state? Shouldn't he be selling it to a less devoted area? Why not Penobscot County, where the election results nearly mirror the national percentages? Why not Washington County, where the result was almost 50-50? It's not as though Portland has a monopoly on Maine media. It has roughly the same number of television stations and newspapers as Bangor, which voted for Obama, but by a smaller margin. It's almost as though the president has purposely chosen the area of the state where he is guaranteed the friendliest, most liberal audience.

According to a Congressional report, the cost of operating Air Force One is $56,518 an hour. This figure does not take into account the cost of security and transportation of presidential vehicles. In addition, Maine taxpayers will foot the bill for the state and local police who will provide additional security at the event. All of this money is being spent to sell a health care reform bill that has already been signed into law to what is sure to be a mostly liberal audience in a deep blue state. In the middle of a recession, this doesn't seem like a particularly good use of taxpayer money.

Obama doesn't need to sell this law here, and frankly, I don't think that's why he's visiting Maine. It seems to me he's not here to convince Mainers this law is a good idea (we know otherwise), but to take a victory lap on our dime.

I hope a lot of tea partiers show up tomorrow.

Cross posted at The Greenroom

I've had enough, thanks.

The next time, "history calls," please do us all a favor and don't answer the phone, okay?