Arden Manning

When it comes to states being in the spotlight at the convention, Maine has just one opportunity.

Wednesday night Senate candidate and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) will take the stage with other Democratic challengers in competitive races and Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Beyond that, there are no other major speeches by Mainers and the delegation isn’t hosting any big events beyond the morning breakfasts.

A.J. Higgins of MPBN has this scoop about two Maine Democratic Party State Committee members were ousted from their posts earlier this week for supporting independent candidate Herb Hoffman.

Executive Director Arden Manning told Higgins that it was a conflict of interest for David Bright and Lu Bauer to sit on the committee while supporting an opposition candidate. Issues may arise, he said, while sitting in on leadership meetings where strategy could be discussed.

Bright disagreed about his access to information about private strategies.

“This is not an isolated incident,” Bright said. Bright is a delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Barack Obama.

For more information, including a quote from the Republican Party, check out the MPBN story here.

Maine Republican caucus winner Mitt Romney will headline the state GOP convention May 2 and 3.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, has since dropped out of the presidential race and is now stumping for presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

It took some asking around of the staff and volunteers at the Maine Democratic Party headquarters tonight (Sunday), but finally Executive Director Arden Manning found someone who spoke French.

UPDATED 11:52 PM with more information from the Democratic Party and Obama's campaign

UPDATED 9:51 PM with new numbers

UPDATED 9:38 PM with comments from superdelegate rita moran

About 45,000 Mainers either caucused Sunday or submitted absentee ballots for the presidential primary. Barack Obama won the state, walking away with 15 delegates. Hillary Clinton earned nine delegates.

Turnout more than doubles the previous record, when 17,000 people caucused in 2004, said Arden Manning, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party.

This weekend, Mainers getting something they’re not used too: Attention from presidential candidates.

They’re also getting something they’re very used to: Snow -- and lots of it, to continue through caucus day.

Arden Manning, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party, didn’t seem concerned about the weather, however. Caucuses are in each town – no one has to travel too far.

Democratic Party Chairman John Knutson, a superdelegate to the national convention, has announced that he will support whoever wins the popular vote in Maine.

Since the Maine Democratic Party distributed absentee ballots, several candidates have dropped out of the race.

Arden Manning, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party, said those who voted for one of the candidates have three options.

-Do nothing. The vote will still go to the candidate who dropped out.

Caucus countdown

10 days for the Republicans (Feb. 1-3)

19 days for the Democrats (Feb. 10)

About this series:

PolitickerME is beginning our coverage of the February presidential caucuses. We will provide frequent updates as to what is planned.

Send tips to jessica.alaimo@politickerme.com

Leaders of both the state Democratic and Republican parties are predicting a high turnout this year – and maybe even a visit from a candidate (or at least a high level surrogate.) ...

The Maine Democratic Party comes into contact with the most voters at caucus time, therefore they seize the opportunity to engage them in other activities.

This year, the sheet people are given at the caucuses contain a new option.

“I give the Maine Democratic Party permission to send me text messages.”

Executive Director Arden Manning said he doesn’t know how the party will use text messaging technology, but wants to have it as an option in contacting people.