Supporters of failed candidates eye new choices

With presidential candidates John Edwards and Rudy Giuliani dropping out so close to the Maine caucuses, supporters are looking to other candidates.

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud endorsed Edwards in October. Spokeswoman Monica Castellanos said he will back another candidate, she’s just not sure who or when.

Trade policy is the biggest priority for Michaud, and that will be the leading factor in his decision, Castellanos said.

Karen Raye and her husband, state Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Calais, both backed Giuliani. Karen Raye said she is now backing John McCain, and expect that is where many Giuliani supporters will go as well.

Giuliani has given all of his delegates the McCain. Edwards has yet to endorse another candidate.

Kate Knox, a Portland lawyer and lobbyist, coordinated Maine volunteers for Edwards. Her husband, Jess, is the Deputy National Political Director for Edwards, and has been on the trail with him.

Neither of them has decided who they will support now. Kate Knox said if Edwards endorses, it will weigh very heavily on her decision, and she imagines many other supporters feel the same.

“It’s sad when your candidate drops out,” Knox said. “It takes awhile to shift out and decide where to go.”

Knox said she was on a conference call last night with Edwards. He told his supporters his reasoning for stepping aside, “It’s time to have one candidate emerge,” she said.

He told supporters that it was their choice on who to support –they shouldn’t wait for his endorsement.

She said Edwards supporters will split between the same choice that has dominated this race – change vs. experience.

Edwards had a lot of support in Maine among legislators and party leaders.

State Rep. Deborah Simpson, D-Auburn, said she is now supporting Hillary Clinton. Rep. Emily Cain, D-Orono, said she is still a bit iffy but also leaning toward Clinton.

Simpson said Barack Obama is too thin-skinned.

“(Hillary) is the only one who can win in November,” she said.

Sen. Joe Perry, D-Bangor, said he is on the fence, but very impressed by Obama’s ability to engage new voters.

“If he can mobilize young, uninterested voters, I think that will be my big thing,” Perry said.

Rep. Jon Hinck, D-Portland, appeared on a list of Edwards supporters last April. He said he switched to Obama six weeks ago.

“In addition to having a reasonably pervasive agenda, he’s smart and wants to bring the American public into the process,” Hinck said.

So went Rep. Jeremy Fischer, D-Presque Isle, after Edwards dropped out.

"(Obama's) the candidate of change, Hillary's all about the status quo," Fischer said.