Angus King

I attended my first political "house party" in 1994 when I was a senior in college. It was hosted by one of former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell's brothers for would-be Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Brennan (Brennan eventually lost the general election to Independent Angus King).  I was invited because I was a member of the Colby Democrats and the Brennan campaign was trying to recruit volunteers in the Waterville area.

I was interested in going because, up until that point, the closest contact I'd had to a political house party was eating lunch every Sunday at my uncle's house in Sanford; he was a local Selectman, hardly a mover and shaker in the political world, to say the least.

Maine Republican Party chairman Mark Ellis issued the following statement in response to former independent Gov. Angus King’s endorsement of Barack Obama this morning:

“Angus King’s endorsement of Barack Obama is no surprise. We fully expected Gov. King to endorse whomever the Democrats nominated for President.  Indeed, Gov. King presided over a massive expansion of our state budget that has idled the Maine economy for over a decade.  Therefore, it is only fitting that King would endorse Obama who has promised higher income taxes, Social Security taxes, investment taxes, and corporate taxes, as well as ‘massive new domestic spending’.  After all, birds of a feather flock together.”

LEWISTON -- Former Gov. Angus King, an independent, said that he will not be picking sides in the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Sen. Susan Collin (R-Bangor) and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland).

“I know and like both of them,” King said.

On the other hand, former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, a Democrat, said he expects it to be a close race.

“I think that Allen will win,” Mitchell said, “But it’s always difficult running against an incumbent.”

Both King and Mitchell were in Lewiston this morning to endorse Barack Obama for President.

Angus King: Former Gov. Angus King endorses Barack Obama in Lewiston Friday. Politicker photo.LEWISTON -- Playing on the message that Barack Obama has appeal beyond the party base, former Gov. Angus King, an independent, endorsed the Democratic Presidential candidate this morning.

Also endorsing was state Rep. Richard Woodbury, an independent from Yarmouth.

King, who served two terms as Governor from 1995 to 2002, said that he has traditionally voted for both Democrats and Republicans.

Blaine House celebration: Govs. McKernan, King and Baldacci. Politicker photo.

To honor the 175-year anniversary of the Blaine House, Gov. John Baldacci (D-Bangor) will gather with three of his predecessors for a two-day event this weekend.

Angus King (I-Brunswick) served from 1995 to 2002. John McKernan, Jr. (R-Bangor) served from 1987-1995, and John Reed (R-Fort Fairfield) served from 1959 to 1967. Baldacci has been in office since 2002. Their families will attend the event as well.

On Friday there will be an invitation-only dinner at the State House.

On Saturday from 11 to 2, there will be a public tour of the Blaine House, tours of the Maine State Library and the Maine State House, and games and rides in Capital Park. There will be fireworks in the park at 9 p.m.

Olympia Snowe-woman has wreaths as eyes, skis for eyelashes, trees for arms and 5-foot tires as buttons. She’s 122 feet and 1 inch tall – a new world record.

Former independent governor Angus King recently met with 16 other politicians in Oklahoma City to discuss how to end partisanship in the country.

In an interview with Crosscut, a Seattle Web-based publication, King said he considered a run against Sen. Susan Collins this year, but quickly rejected it.

“Our differences aren't so great, so running against her would be an ego thing. I think she's a pretty good senator,” he told reporter Eugene Carlson. “Besides, I'm 63 and I'd have to serve in the Senate until I was 80 to have any seniority.”