July 1, 2008 - 12:48am
Dems take Hoffman challenge to court
By Jessica Alaimo
Category: US SenateTags: Tom Allen, Susan Collins, Rebecca Pollard, Maine Democratic Party, Herb Hoffman
The Maine Democratic Party is continuing its crusade to remove independent candidate Herb Hoffman from the ballot in the race for the U.S. Senate.
Party officials filed an appeal Monday with the state Superior Court for a reversal of a recent decision by the Secretary of State that would allow Hoffman to remain on the ballot.
Hoffman is running against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen.
Party Chairman John Knutson initially challenged Hoffman’s candidacy June 9, invalidating his signatures on a number of grounds. Secretary Dunlap invalidated 74 signatures after three witnesses testified that collectors weren’t present when the petition was signed. This left Hoffman with enough to stay on the ballot, however.
“We feel very confident in how the law applies to our challenge, and believe it will be resolved correctly now that it will be reviewed by a court of law,” said Rebecca Pollard, spokeswoman for the party, in a release.
This has only fueled Hoffman’s frustration with the Democratic Party. In his own release, Hoffman said he is not surprised at their actions. Hoffman said he is confident that his petitions are valid.
“The Democrats know that this is not a big money campaign,” Hoffman said, “and they are trying to divert attention from debating the real issues that Maine voters will face in this fall’s election.”
Hoffman said last week that he had a one-hour private meeting with Allen, where Allen urged him to drop out of the race and join his team. Hoffman said it was not clear whether Allen was offering him a job or a volunteer position.
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“I’m proud to be a Democrat, I’m proud to be at my convention, I’m proud to support Barack Obama. We have to build a bigger team, including independents and Republicans, to really change this country.”
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The Employees' Free Choice Act - obstensibly an easier way to form unions - will cause the same kind of court challenges. The party's court action on behalf of Tom Allen does seem a tad hypocritical consisering his support of this union-backed legislation. Although labor most often supports any "D", if Allen prevails in this action, EFCA will be compromised
As a Democrat, I am
As a Democrat, I am embarrassed by the actions of the State Party with regard to Mr. Hoffman.
Knutson and the others need a strong dose of reality. Tom Allen has no chance of securing the seat - Susan Collins is far too popular, particularly in the 2nd District.
Beyond that, Allen and Knutson are playing big-party politics in a place where that does not belong. From videotaping ('tracking') Collins at campaign events to suing to keep other candidates off the ballot...
Maybe they should spend more time explaining to voters why THEY are best and why Allen is best for the Senate seat, instead of devaluing, attacking, and prohibiting the other candidates in the race.
If the signature gathering was fraudulent
then Hoffman deserves to be removed from the ballot. That's the crux of the entire challenge.
And if you think the Democrats are the only side to be using a tracker then you are sorely misinformed about campaigns.
But if the Hoffman people gathered those signatures in a way that violates the law then he deserves to be off the ballot. I think the Democratic challenge has merit. We'll see what the Courts say.
Collins is at or below 50% right now (depending on which poll one reads) which is substantially below where she's been so Allen is cutting into her "popularity" and there are still 4 months to go. Her ties to Bush and McCain will hurt her throughout the state before November rolls around.
Sure, perhaps Collins is
Sure, perhaps Collins is using a tracker too -- that's well and good. Shame on both campaigns. It's absurd to bring that kind of activity into these campaigns. Enough of attacking each other -- enough preventing other candidates from participating in the race.
How about Allen takes one step forward and talks about himself for once, and why he is best? Instead of talking about Bush, McCain, Collins and Hoffman -- I'm tired of hearing why we shouldn't vote for Collins and want to hear more about why we should vote for Allen -- because I'm not convinced.
I'm starting to wonder why
I'm starting to wonder why I'm a democrat. This is one of my party's dumbest moves ever. What more do you want?!?!?! A blood test? I figured my party was above these kinds of tactics. Guess I was wrong. Shut up and let the man run!!!!! Stop with all the games!!! You people are just little people in a little state, trying to play big people games. You're small time and these tactics prove it.
It's okay to cheat to get on the ballot?
Knutson's challenge says that the Hoffman campaign basically lied on the petitions. Is it okay for a campaign to get on the ballot that way? I don't think so. Legitimate petition gathering is one thing; fraudulent petitions aren't fair to those who do it legally.
The Secretary of State's office agreed that some petitions were fraudulent but only disallowed certain signatures on those petitions. The appeal says that all signatures on those petitions should be disallowed.
I don't care who appears on any ballot. Giving people choices is a good thing. But get on the ballot legally or go away.
I guess it's OK....
...to just make stuff up now. The important point is the spread between the two candidates, not where they are in raw numbers. And cite the poll where Susan is below 50%, please. Provide a link and a reference. Otherwise I'll assume you're lying just like Knutson and the DNC.
Dear Patriotis Delegate
My concern over this ballot challenge has less to do with the players and more to do with the fairness of following the rules to get on the ballot. But that's just me. I'm not the one making the challenge.
FYI, here's the link to the Rasmussen Report. http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_...
And, FYI, I don't "make stuff up."
Sorry for the typo in your name.
I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet.
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