Wake-Up Call: Monday, August 25, 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.

Allen: Biden will repair the country’s world image

America’s image around the world has never been worse, and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) said the best person to help Sen. Barack Obama improve this is Sen. Joe Biden, who was tapped as the Vice Presidential nominee this morning. (PolitickerME.com, Jessica Alaimo)

Link: http://www.politickerme.com/jessicaalaimo/2277/allen-biden-will-repair-c...

Complete state-by-state coverage: Obama picks Biden as VP running mate

On Saturday, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) selected U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) as his vice presidential runningmate. Here is complete coverage of the Biden announcement, state-by-state across the Politicker network. (Politicker.com, Michael Grass)

Link: http://www.politicker.com/complete-state-state-coverage-obama-picks-bide...

Maine governor backs choice of Biden

AUGUSTA—Maine Gov. John Baldacci hailed Sen. Joe Biden as a ticket-helping talent Saturday who would serve well as a sounding board in a Barack Obama White House. (Boston Globe, AP)

Link: http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/08/23/maine_governo...

Augusta Council to discuss tax deal, windmills

AUGUSTA - City councilors meet Monday to discuss regulating wind towers, giving a tax break to the developers of the Central Maine Commerce Center, and offering a reward to help catch whoever may be damaging trees in Mill Park. (Maine Today, Keith Edwards)

Link: http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/031963.html

Maine Republicans go door to door

PORTLAND—Republican volunteers plan to campaign across Maine in what the state Republican Party describes as a concentrated grass-roots effort. (Boston Globe, AP)

Link: http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/08/23/maine_republi...

Maine school consolidation catches on

AUGUSTA—A state official says about half of Maine's students attend schools in newly consolidated districts.

A school consolidation law, passed in 2007, requires districts to form regional school units to reduce administrative costs and save taxpayers millions of dollars. The law envisions reducing Maine's school districts from 290 to about 80. (Boston Globe, AP)

Link: http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/08/22/maine_school_...

Cummings: Biden already seeking Maine visit

Maine House Speaker Glenn Cummings (D-Portland) said Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden is already planning a trip to Maine.

Local supporters are fundraising for the event, which they hope will happen in late September or early October. (PolitickerME.com, Jessica Alaimo)

Link: http://www.politickerme.com/jessicaalaimo/2269/cummings-biden-already-se...

Maine gets new business, PUC commissioners

AUGUSTA—Maine has new business regulation and public utilities commissioners.

Anne Head of Yarmouth was sworn in Friday as commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. (Boston Globe, AP)

Link: http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/08/22/maine_gets_ne...

Allen to speak at Democratic National Convention

PORTLAND—U.S. Rep. Tom Allen is one of four Democratic Senate recruits tapped for a speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. (Boston Globe, AP)

Link: http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/08/21/allen_to_spea...

Wells selectmen put water extraction ban on November ballot

WELLS — Voters will get a chance to decide whether the town will have a 180-day moratorium on water extraction while crafting a water extraction ordinance.

The Board of Selectmen voted 3-2 on Tuesday to put the question on the November ballot. (Seacoast Online, Jim Kanak)

Link: http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/NEWS/8...

Hutchins begins bid for Senate District 25

ALBION -- Republican candidate Brent Hutchins has launched his campaign to represent District 25 in the Maine State Senate. His candidacy, he says, offers a strong and committed voice for new jobs, a robust economy and affordable energy in Maine. (Morning Sentinel, Staff)

Link: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5338398.html

Two from Winthrop part of Democrats' delegation

WINTHROP -- Two Winthrop residents -- one with experience in politics and another a novice -- left Saturday for Denver as part of Maine's delegation to the Democratic National Convention.

Rita Moran, chairwoman of the Kennebec County Democratic Committee, and Craig Hickman, who said he's had a "love-hate relationship with the Democratic Party," are two of 32 delegates from Maine. (Morning Sentinel, Susan M. Cover)

Link: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5344755.html

Maine leaders chime in on Obama's choice

Maine Senate Majority Leader Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, sees strength in the addition of Sen. Joe Biden, and his 30 years of experience in the U.S. Senate, as presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama's running mate. (Morning Sentinel, Keith Edwards)

Link: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5344559.html

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.