John Knutson

With the state’s system of splitting the electoral votes, John McCain may have a fighting chance at winning the Second Congressional District, thus one of Maine’s electoral votes.

This system, used by only one other state, splits electoral votes by Congressional Districts. The two remaining votes will go to the state’s overall winner.

“Both parties are concerned,” said John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party. “It’s a more conservative district than the first. We expect we will take it again, but we’ll have to be very diligent.”

Maine’s Supreme Court will hear the final appeal of the Maine Democratic Party in their effort to remove independent U.S. Senate candidate Herb Hoffman from the ballot Thursday at 11 a.m.

In a brief conversation this weekend, Hoffman said the appeal was a pain but is confident in his case. In a short statement Monday, titled ‘Dems are still at it,” he urged spectators to attend.

The Democrats have been trying to remove Hoffman from the ballot since June 9, when Chairman John Knutson first filed a petition with the Secretary of State’s Office contesting Hoffman’s candidacy.

Superior Court Justice Joseph M. Jabar has recused himself from hearing a case involving the U.S. Senate race because of ties to a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland).

John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, is appealing a recent decision by the Secretary of State's office to take independent U.S. Senate candidate Herb Hoffman off the ballot. Knutson and the party had challenged the validity of some of the signatures on Hoffman's nominating petitions.

The case is under the jurisdiction of Kennebec County Superior Court, and was originally assigned to Jabar. Walker said Jabar was considering recusing himself from the case because his wife had held a fundraiser for Allen, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor).

Courthouse officials, unable to say why, said Jabar had already declined the case and another judge has yet to be assigned.

Sources say the case will likely be taken up Thursday or Friday. Hoffman said Wednesday that if it does not come out in his favor, he will appeal to the Maine Supreme Court.

As a rule -- Maine people like rules, but they value what is fair, above all else. The importance of fairness in Maine, which usually transcends politics, is one of those things that makes Maine such a great place to live.

That will be the challenge for the Democrats. Can they eliminate Mr. Hoffman from the ballot and do it in the name of fairness? Or, will they overplay their hand, and be viewed as thugs determined to win at all costs?

It's a close call, but I think the jury is still out on that.

In the meantime, expect several press stories, a few TV interviews and lots of blog chatter for Mr. Hoffman --which is not bad for a guy with no money, no political experience and no staff.

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud endorsed John Edwards early in the presidential campaign.

When Edwards dropped out, Michaud entered vast realm of “uncommitted superdelegates”, the subject of virtually every pundit debate and a buzz word in political circles.

Following Edwards’ endorsement of Barack Obama, Michaud has decided to remain uncommitted.

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen endorsed Obama on Monday, helping to put him in the lead with superdelegates.

John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, said Sunday that his add-on to the superdelegate lineup will be a Barack Obama supporter.

He said he is doing this to make sure Maine’s delegate count reflects the popular vote in the state, where Obama got 60 percent of the vote.

The Maine Democratic Party is preparing for challenges from either campaign as the state convention approaches, since every delegate is at stake in the contest between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Some speculate the superdelegates could decide the Democratic contest.

National committeeman Sam Spencer doesn’t want to be the deciding factor.

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

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud’s current chief of staff will take a one-year leave of absence to oversee all of the Democratic campaigns in the state.

Peter Chandler will lead the Democratic Coordinated Campaign starting in January. He said he’ll be in charge of voter contact with the party and the get-out-the-vote initiatives.

“It’s an exciting time to be doing this,” Chandler said. “The Democratic Party is poised to take back the White House. It’s a good time to be a Democrat.”

Chandler grew up in Biddeford, and is a Portland resident. He said his goal – other than the Democrats winning – is to heighten the Democrats’ reputation in the state.