Wake-Up Call: Thursday, June 26, 2008

With the PolitickerME.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Maine's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

With the PolitickerME.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Maine's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Activists bristle over small venue for water contract talks, rally outside

A group of activists in Southern Maine is threatening legal action after they say they were kept out of a district water trustee’s board meeting Wednesday. (PolitickerME.com, Jessica Alaimo)

Link: http://www.politickerme.com/jessicaalaimo/1870/activists-bristle-over-sm...

Davis runs against Mitchell for Senate District 24 seat

AUGUSTA — The Honorable Kim Davis of Augusta has launched her campaign for Senate District 24, which includes the towns of Augusta, China, Oakland, Sidney and Vassalboro.

According to a June 25 press release, Davis said she knows that fundamental change and new leadership is needed to guide Maine citizens into a modern economy and a prosperous future, and she is ready to help lead the way. (Maine Coast Now, Staff)

Link: http://www.mainecoastnow.com/articles/2008/06/26/politics_and_elections/...

Mainer nominated as U.S. Ambassador to Algeria

A Maine native has been tapped by President Bush to be the U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

The president is nominating David D. Pearce, of Virginia, to be ambassador to Algeria, according to a White House statement released yesterday. (Maine Today, Staff)

Link: http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/029503.html

Dion to testify in D.C. on fugitive bill

Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion is scheduled to testify Thursday before members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on proposed fugitive database legislation.

Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Delaware, has invited Dion to testify on behalf of the National Sheriff’s Association before the Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs. Dion serves on the association’s Legal Affairs Committee. (Maine Today, Staff)

Link: http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/029495.html

Hoffman's candidacy survives Democratic Party challenge

OGUNQUIT — Ogunquit's Herb Hoffman, an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate, has fended off a challenge from the Maine State Democratic Party to his candidacy. (Seacoast Online, Jim Kanak)

Link: http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/NEWS/8...

Laura Bush visits Acadia National Park

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK- First lady Laura Bush visited Acadia National Park and the Bar Harbor area Tuesday, White House officials confirmed.

"She is maintaining a private schedule," said Bush’s press secretary Katie Balls. (Bangor Daily News, Staff)

Link: http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=166247&zoneid=500

Alliance aims to get out the vote in Maine

The Maine People's Alliance, a grassroots organization with a liberal agenda, is starting a large-scale effort to sign up new voters in Maine and stimulate interest among voters who rarely cast ballots.

A spokeswoman for the group says the campaign is nonpartisan and is not designed to promote specific political candidates. (Portland Press Herald, Paul Carrier)

Link: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=196203&ac=PHnws

If Pingrees both win, is it mere novelty, or more?

Democrats Chellie and Hannah Pingree will give the mother-daughter relationship a new, highly political twist if both win their respective bids for office later this year. (Portland Press Herald, Paul Carrier)

Link: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=196243&ac=PHnws

With the PolitickerME.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Maine's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.