Bangor paper favors Baldacci, not TABOR

The Associated Press

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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AUGUSTA - Addressing two top-of-the-ticket ballot issues, the Bangor Daily News on Saturday urged the re-election of Democratic Gov. John Baldacci and the defeat of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights citizen initiative.

"John Baldacci concludes what is likely to be his final political campaign with the same focus on issues, the same attention to Maine and the same admirable work ethic he has had throughout his career," the newspaper said in its lead editorial.

"Though he has been attacked politically during his nearly four years as governor, had to face down difficult economic events and made a few missteps himself, he has built a strong record of achievement.

"He deserves to be returned to office as governor of Maine," the newspaper said.

Baldacci, a Bangor native, began his political career on the Bangor City Council and served from the city in the state Senate for 12 years before heading to Washington for four terms as a U.S. representative from Maine's 2nd Congressional District.

In a separate editorial, the News said the Question 1 spending-and-tax curbing plan known as TABOR is too negative, confining and unnecessary.

"Groups that support the Taxpayer Bill of Rights ballot initiative fairly say that Maine has been largely unsuccessful in lowering its tax burden, a result of the absence of leadership on state and local budget reform.

"But instead of placing their trust in the public's ability to understand its responsibility, their solution is to install narrow, formulaic tax-and-spending restrictions. TABOR is the mechanical alternative to representative government; it is the machinery to which Maine would surrender when it has lost faith in its ability to govern itself.

"Maine must not be so willing to surrender," the newspaper said.

The News credited Baldacci for building "a commendable record," citing his part in bridging a large potential budget gap without raising broad-based taxes, establishing Pine Tree economic zones to spur economic development, championing the Dirigo Health initiative and the creation of a community college system and pushing for broadband access in Maine.

While doing that, the newspaper said, the incumbent was "successfully fighting to keep mills open and ... joining the effort against a federal attempt to shutter military bases here."

The News lauded Baldacci's challengers for contributions of their own.

"Most surprising," it said, "was state Rep. Barbara Merrill, who wrote a policy book, qualified as a Clean Election candidate without a party and attracted voters through a combination of pragmatic fiscal arguments and moderate social positions."

Turning to the GOP nominee, the News said: "A gentleman and a valued member of the Legislature, Republican state Sen. Chandler Woodcock provided commonsense ideas about Maine, but also showed himself to be on the far right, and therefore in the minority, not just on social issues but on almost all issues."

The newspaper added: "Green Independent Pat LaMarche added creative energy often lacking in political races, and her reminder that Maine a decade ago devised a much more ambitious health care plan was much needed."

Last weekend, the Maine Sunday Telegram came out in an editorial in favor TABOR.

The Portland-based newspaper said there were flaws that needed to be corrected by the Legislature, but it supported the concept as a way to make sure government officials keep their promises to lower spending.

At the same time, the Telegram's sister papers in central Maine -- the Kennebec Journal in Augusta and Morning Sentinel in Waterville -- came out against TABOR, saying the best way to control spending is at the ballot box.