Ralph Nader: Ralph Nader in Portland. Politicker photo.PORTLAND – Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader hopes that the third time will be the charm, and Monday night he was in Portland to spread his message which strongly opposes major political parties and big corporations. Nader first addressed the press before speaking to the crowd that half-filled the Unitarian Universalist Church on Congress Street. He offered a number of bitter comments about energy policy, the recent bailout, and this year’s general political climate. He scolded the first reporter to use the term “spoiler”. “I will not tolerate political bigotry from the fourth estate. The premise of that is that we are second class citizens,” he said. Nader is one of three third-party candidates running for president this year, along with Libertarian Bob Barr and Green Cynthia McKinney.

The latest poll by Rasmussen Reports shows the gap between U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and challenger Tom Allen three points narrower than it was last month. According to the report, released today, Collins is leading 53 to 43 percent. Earlier today, a poll commissioned by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee revealed an eight point gap. Rasmussen also showed Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama leading Republican John McCain 51 to 46 percent. The poll showed Gov. John Baldacci’s approval ratings worsening, with 41 percent rating his performance poor and 27 percent giving him a good or excellent mark.

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Collins has the support of 94% of her party’s voters compared to Allen’s 80% support among Democratic voters. 

A poll commissioned by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee shows U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) leading her challenger and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) 49 to 41 percent. The poll also looked at the presidential race in Maine, where Democrat Barack Obama led Republican John McCain 52 to 35 percent. The poll was commissioned by the Mellman Group, and surveyed 600 likely voters. It has a four percent margin of error. Both the Allen campaign and the DSCC saw the poll as good news, as other recent polls have shown Collins with a double-digit advantage. “Tom Allen has run a smart, disciplined campaign and with a month to go until the election continues to pick up momentum,” said DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller in a release. “Susan Collins talks like a moderate, but she always votes with George Bush, and Mainers are ready for a change.”

According to a new poll taken for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Senator Collins lead in the polls has shrunk and Allen now trails only 49% to 41%,with 10 percent undecided. Collins' poll numbers have consistently shown her with a double digit lead as have polls from third party sources.

Paul Jacob from the Sam Adams Alliance, a conservative fee market think-tank, lists his top 10 ballot initiative for the November election. Neither Maine's People's Veto proposal or the Oxford County Casino appear in the top 10. However, Maine does get a mention under number 4, which is North Dakota's Measure 2, an initiative that would reduce state income tax for individuals by 50 percent and the corporate income tax by 15 percent.. Mr. Jacobs notes that,  "Maine voters may veto Governor Baldacci's tax increase on beer, wine and soft drinks to fund the Dirigo Health Choice program, after citizens collected enough signatures to force a referendum."

The persistent non-candidate for US Senate, Herbert Hoffman will hold a press conference today to "detail new information about the methods used by the Maine Democratic Party to put Tom Allen on the ballot." Hoffman is now running as a declared write-in candidate, which I guess is slightly better than an undeclared write-in candidate, such as Mickey Mouse or None of the Above.

Tom Allen's new TV ad:

John Frary (R-Farmington), who is challenging U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-East Millinocket) for the 2nd Congressional District, touted monetary support from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins today. His campaign’s statement: “Professor John Frary was pleased to receive assurances of financial support from Senator Susan Collins' Dirigo PAC today in Farmington. The contribution will enable Frary, a Farmington selectman, retired history professor, and an associate editor of the International Military Encyclopedia, to continue his widely read newspaper ads.”

A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) said the campaign is hopeful that John McCain’s ramped up efforts will bring more voters to the polls. Collins is running for reelection against U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland.) “Sen. McCain, like Sen. Collins, has built a solid reputation as someone who is willing to cross party lines, to set aside partisan politics, and to work to get the job done,” spokesman Kevin Kelley wrote in an e-mail. “Maine people like that.”

Fed up with Taxes, the group behind the people’s veto on the new beverage tax, has launched its ad campaign. The ads chip away at the confusion that could be caused by the ballot question, which requires voters to vote yes if they don’t want the tax. Both take aim at the Legislature, accusing lawmakers of raising taxes every time a new program comes along. Neither mentions that the newly passed beverage taxes will support Dirigo, the state’s health insurance program.

UPDATED: 6:34 p.m. UPDATED: 3:47 p.m. NEWPORT -- Republican Presidential candidate John McCain will begin a significant media campaign in the state starting in the next couple of days, said state Rep. Josh Tardy (R-Newport), the vice-chairman of his campaign in Maine. McCain announced late yesterday that he was pulling out of Michigan and instead focusing his resources on states such as Maine. The McCain campaign has not yet committed to additional staff or a campaign visit. At a news conference in Newport Friday, Tardy said McCain’s campaign thus far has been based on a small number of staff but mostly volunteers.

Maine's two Congressman continued to split their vote on a second version of a bailout.  

John McCain is reportedly packing up out of Michigan and headed to Maine. The Boston Globe reported today that given the demographics of the 2nd Congressional District, he can win the one electoral vote there. Polls are split when it comes to John McCain’s chances. The most recent rankings: Survey USA: Barack Obama Obama leads 49 to 44 Rasmussen Reports: Obama leads 50 to 46 Rothenberg Political Report: Maine is “Safe/Likely Obama” Cook Political Report: Maine is “solid Democrat” In 2004, Democratic Presidential challenger John Kerry won Maine, beating President Bush by 20,000 votes in the 2nd Congressional District. See also: National analysts: McCain’s emphasis on Maine won’t impact Senate race Corrado, Fried say McCain’s focus on state could be smart move

Nathan Gonzalez, Political Editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, said pulling out of Michigan and focusing on other states such as Maine shows that Republican Presidential candidate John McCain is in a very defensive position. Maine’s 2nd Congressional District was a battleground when U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-East Millinocket) was first elected, but since then it has turned Democratic, Gonzalez said. “In the current environment (in Maine), there are only a few Republicans that are going to do well, and that’s the two senators,” Gonzalez said.

Tony Corrado, a Colby College political science professor, said that Republican Presidential candidate John McCain’s announcement that he is focusing on Maine will likely mean more staff, more advertising and likely a high-profile candidate visit – which would then trigger one from Barack Obama’s campaign. He said the strategy makes sense as the McCain campaign is targeting New Hampshire. “First, Maine and New Hampshire have enough overlap that it allows the campaign to hit two targeted states for low-cost advertising,” Corrado said. “Then the ease of a Manchester-Portland-Bangor type day.”

Republicans get a little good news with the announcement that McCain will likely invest resources in the state and First Congressional District candidate, Chellie Pingree gets some strong polling results from Maine's Independent voters.  Check out this week's list of Winners & Losers. | CLICK HERE

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U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) said that he is disappointed that the Senate version of the financial bailout bill was packed with “unrelated measures,” he said he supports the initiative moving forward. Allen supported an earlier version of the bill Monday. The House is expected to vote on it again tomorrow (Friday). Allen’s statement: