Matt Dunlap

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.

On election night, they were tied. Now, after a recount the Secretary of State has reported that 484 ballots were cast for Melissa Walsh Innes and 482 for Kimberly McLaughlin.While the recount gives Innes a two-vote margin, three ballots are being disputed -- one by McLaughlin and two by Innes. Which means -and Al Gore is not going to like this--- the state Supreme Court has to decide voter intent on those three disputed ballots.

Mr. Linnell, the guy with the lobster trap signs, will not be on the ballot for County Commissioner. Mr. Linnell was attempting to gain ballot status through a write-in candidacy, representing the Green-Independent party.

The recount was halted before completion. Which I think means things didn't look so good for Mr. Linnell

I heard early predictions from our Secretary of State that we could expect voter turnout above 30%. Secretary Dunlap even issued a press release noting, "Maine traditionally leads the way in voter turnout across the country. That's because Mainers recognize the value, the importance, and the power of their vote. I'm confident many voters will continue that tradition by casting a ballot in Tuesday's Primary Election."

“After careful review of petitions containing over 77,000 signatures, Maine’s Elections Division has certified 59,504 of those signatures as valid,” Dunlap explained, continuing, “this exceeds the number of signatures required for the citizen initiative to move forward in the process.”

Poor Matt Dunlap.   The guy is getting sucked in to a debate on issuing driver licenses to illegals (undocumented folks, for you pc types.)

Run, Matt, Run!

Quick someone call Matt Dunlap, our Secretary of State. We are going to need the DMV "take a number system" installed in front of the Blaine House.

With the race for the Governor just around the corner, (that would be about two years away for you non-political types), the line for Governor is getting longer by the day. This week, let's start with the top-tier Democrats: