Peter Hayward of Portland, ME Mr Smith,

A 15 point loss hardly made Mr Cote a strong second.

Can you imagine the Headline: "Obama, in loss, a strong second to McCain, 57-43." Hardly.

When making a bold statement, it is best to have a fact to orient your readers, I feel you owe that to your readers just as must as reporter owe it to the readers to get the "who, what when and where" right.report abuse

Matt Foley of In a Van Down by the River, ME Since every Democrat I know receives their income from the government, is it true that registering as such automatically qualifies you for welfare benefits?report abuse

LewistonT of Lewiston, ME I am shocked the read that there is an actual organized Republican Party in Maine. I know there is a few that are trying but the party is made up of microparties without one common goal. Some truly want to make a difference and many are just going thru the motions to get in line for a better position. I look forward to the day there is a party with unity in this State. I am fraid I will not see it in my life.report abuse

Mark Turek of Randolph, ME George, that was one of your best articles yet! As you know, "nothing changes if nothing changes." Unless Maine residents want our state to become even more poor than we already are, with a constant slide toward socialism/communism, our local Republican Party needs to wakeup and take some action.

The Baldacci Administration has pulled us into a fairly deep and muddy hole, but we can climb back up to become a better state again...but it will need to be a group effort.report abuse