Dueling statements over ‘Maine Republicans for Obama’

Both Democrats and Republicans this year are trying to create a perception of bipartisanship – by showing that members of the opposing party support them.

This was evident at the national level, when Jim Leach, a former Republican congressman from Iowa, spoke at the Democratic National Convention for Barack Obama, and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), a former Democrat, spoke at the Republican National Convention for John McCain.

Barack Obama’s Maine campaign formed the group “Maine Republicans for Obama” this week, chaired by Robert Monks and former state Rep. Sherry Huber.

Obama’s state campaign spokesman Jessica Santillo said the campaign has identified a several hundred Republicans supporting Obama through voter outreach.

Monks is an advocate for good corporate governance in the country, and previously served as a Trustee of the Federal Employees Retirement System under appointment by President Reagan. Huber works on environmental issues and is a former executive director of the Maine Waste Management Agency.

“Obama has strong support across the political spectrum in Maine and I am proud to be working to mobilize that support in every corner of the state,” Huber said in a release.

At a press conference this morning, Monks said Obama was “good for business” and McCain was “good for Wall Street,” according to the Portland Press Herald.

The Maine Republican Party was quick to disown Monks in a statement released this afternoon. Twice – in 1972 and 1996 – Monks ran for the U.S. Senate as a Republican, losing primary bids on both occasions. The first time, the Maine GOP Party said, he had 74 roses delivered to incumbent Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican, to highlight her age.

In 1996, he hired a private investigator to dig up dirt on one of his primary opponents.

“He has made a habit of supporting Democrats for years,” said Maine House Republican Leader Josh Tardy (R-Newport) in a release. “His past attempts to discredit Republicans have back-fired. I wouldn’t be surprised if his support for Obama back-fired on the Obama campaign.”

Last week, the Republican Party unveiled “Maine Citizens for McCain,” which is chaired by state Rep. Tom Saviello (I-Wilton), a former Democrat.