Convention update: 11 a.m.

The Maine Republican Convention is well underway. Here are some tidbits… check back in a bit for photos and video.

-After the convention order was adopted, Ron Paul supporter Steve Martin of Aroostook County stood up and requested that someone be able to speak on all presidential election. The order had already been accepted, the moderator said. “So in an election year we do not want to hear from other candidates.”

-Augusta Mayor Roger Katz welcomed Republican delegates. The word “Augusta” has bad vibes to it nowadays, he said. The way to change this is to elect Republicans to the Legislature.

-A video was aired featuring John McCain asking for votes. He said electing Democrats would mean big government and higher taxes. If elected, he said in the video, “I won’t let a Democratic Congress raise your taxes and choke the growth of a federal economy.” A Ron Paul organizer later said that it was not made clear on the agenda that this video would be aired – otherwise the Paul supporters would have pushed for one from their candidate. Party officials said the video was a last minute addition, and are looking for time in the schedule to work in a Paul video.

-Susan Collins’ campaign is out in full force. A “Collins County Fair” booth is set up inside the convention with lemonade and popcorn.

-Charlie Summers’ campaign is raffling off a U.S. flag that flew over the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Summers is serving in Iraq, due home later this month. His wife, Ruth, is campaigning in his place. She said they got the flag through the U.S. Army’s public affairs office, where Charlie is stationed.

Another smart campaign tactic – the campaign is handing out plastic bags with their logo for convention-goers to put the massive amounts of paper they’ve accumulated.

-Dean Scontras’ campaign is campaigning with the help of 25 15- and 19-year-olds. Dan Schuberth, a staffer on the campaign, said Scontras spoke with them at a youth in government program at the State House, they were hooked and agreed to help out today.

-State Senate Minority Leader Carol Weston and House Minority Leader Josh Tardy introduced candidates for the Legislature, encouraging victory in November.