Mike Michaud

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England today endorsed U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) in his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor). The group had endorsed Collins in 2002.

Chris Quint, director of public affairs for the group, told PolitickerME.com that they switched allegiance because of Collins’ support of recently appointed Supreme Court justices.

These new justices -- Sam Alito and John Roberts – voted to uphold a ban on late-term abortions. This became a key issue for Planned Parenthood, who then looked twice at Collins for supporting the two justices in nomination hearings.

Nathan Gonzalez, Political Editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, said pulling out of Michigan and focusing on other states such as Maine shows that Republican Presidential candidate John McCain is in a very defensive position.

Maine’s 2nd Congressional District was a battleground when U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-East Millinocket) was first elected, but since then it has turned Democratic, Gonzalez said.

“In the current environment (in Maine), there are only a few Republicans that are going to do well, and that’s the two senators,” Gonzalez said.

EqualityMaine has endorsed both Democratic candidates in Maine’s U.S. House races.

The group advocates for Maine’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) responded to the failure of the Wall Street bailout bill with the following statement:

Allen voted for the bill. U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-East Millinocket) voted against it.

According to the Portland Press Herald, Michaud said that he wanted better protections for taxpayers.

Herb Hoffman, an independent who is running as a write-in for U.S. Senate, said he was pleased that members of Congress listened to their constituents and rejected the Wall Street bailout plan, calling it “ill-conceived.”

He wrote in a statement:

The U.S. House of Representatives just rejected a bill to spend $700 billion to bail out the failing financial markets.

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) was one of the 140 Democrats voting for the bill, and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-East Millinocket) was one of the 95 Democrats voting against it.

Republicans were also split 65 to 133, for a final vote of 205 to 228.

See the full roll call here.

UPDATE: The Associated Press has more on the bill 

Maine’s three members of the Congressional delegation up for reelection said they plan to stay in Washington until the financial crisis is resolved.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain announced today that he was suspending all campaign activities because of the crisis, and suggested postponing the debate with Democratic candidate Barack Obama until it is resolved.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) was the only one to release a formal statement. She said she sent a letter to Senate leaders urging them to stay in session until a solution is found. She wrote:

The Rothenberg Political Report left both of Maine’s House races off its September list of competitive House races this fall, meaning they see it as limited risk for the Democrats, who hold both seats.

In the 1st Congressional District, Chellie Pingree (D-North Haven) faces Charlie Summers (R-Scarborough). The seat is being vacated by Tom Allen (D-Portland) who is running for the Senate.

In the 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Mike Michaud (D-East Millinocket) faces Farmington professor John Frary (R-Farmington).

This is no change from previous reports. The only time either race made the list of competitive contests was in November 2007, far before the primary, when Rothenberg put the ME-1 race in the “Democrat favored” category.

Bank of America announced plans to buy Merrill Lynch today, which caused a stir in the stock market.

Both companies have donated to Maine’s national candidates.

In addition, Lehman Brothers investment bank filed for bankruptcy today. While the company’s Political Action Committee gave $25,000 to federal candidates this year and $130,680 in 2006, none of that money went to Maine’s federal candidates.

Two things making the rounds in the blogosphere this weekend:

Last week, the television program 207’s Rob Caldwell interviewed Republican presidential candidate John McCain, asking him about his vice presidential choice and his chances in Maine. The interview can be viewed here.

Also, the Associated Pre ss has published questionnaires from candidates running for Maine seats in the U.S. Senate and both Congressional districts.

• U.S. Senate: Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) vs. U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland)
• 1st Congressional District: Chellie Pingree (D-North Haven) vs. Charlie Summers (R-Scarborough)
• 2nd Congressional District: Rep. Mike Michaud (D-East Millinocket) vs. John Frary (R-Farmington)