McCain's eye on the Maine chance (BBC)

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McCain's eye on the Maine chance (BBC)
By Max Deveson

It has long been a liberal bastion, voting solidly Democrat in every presidential election since 1992. But both of Maine's senators are Republicans, and the appearance of Sarah Palin on the Republican ticket could be giving plenty of voters pause for thought.

Last week the McCain campaign upped its advertising spending in the state, and on Thursday, Mrs Palin herself is visiting Bangor - the biggest town in Maine's second congressional district - with her husband Todd, a snowmobile race champion whose renown extends beyond Alaska.

....

"I think Sarah Palin has made the second district of Maine a battleground out of what most likely was an open-and-shut case for Obama."

....

In the balance

In the last three state-wide polls conducted in Maine, Barack Obama held a four or five point lead over his Republican rival.

Polling analyst Nate Silver projects that Mr Obama will poll two or three points below his state-wide vote in the second district, which is home, as he puts it, to "most of the places where people die in Stephen King novels".

So if the polls stay static, or the race tightens at all, then the second district's electoral vote may really hang in the balance.

There is more than one plausible scenario for election day on 4 November, where the two candidates could end up with 269 electoral college votes each.

In that case the hunters, fishermen and snowmobilers of northern Maine could play a decisive role.

If we split a electoral vote off, it will be seen as for Sarah Palin, and the world will notice. Notice and snicker.

Maine, aka "most of the places where people die in Stephen King novels".

[lazyriver]

1. The two fundies that work with me called in sick today.

What a coincidence.

I was going to go too just to go see so much stupid all in one place but figured I could save $10 in gas and read a few posts in freeperville if I really want to be further disappointed in the human species.

Did you see the cover of the BDN today? Ugh.

[high density]

2. Sarah Palin isn't anywhere close to Collins or Snowe

The second district has a lot of red square footage, but it also contains Lewiston/Auburn and Bangor... I don't think getting that one electoral vote is as easy as McCain thinks it is. Given that all of the current "swing" states were once deep red for Bush, I don't think one EV from Maine is going to help McCain in the least.

[luckyleftyme2]

3. the latest

been all over the media today;Obama leading in second district; even the party leaders are saying its doubtful McCain can win either electoral vote in Maine

[RBInMaine]

4. STICK A FORK IN MCSAME IN THE PINE TREE STATE !!

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Phew!