Olympia Snowe

Democratic Congressional candidate Michael Brennan delivered a letter to members of Maine’s Congressional delegation yesterday detailing why funding for the Iraq War should be cut off.

The letter, delivered to Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, and Rep. Tom Allen, began:

Schedule? We don't need no stinkin' schedule!

The Maine GOP hierarchy lost control of their own convention timeline. Whether it was the fault of Chairman Mark Ellis and Executive Director Julie O'Brien or the long-winded tendencies of Republican politicians and activists, who can say? Regardless, elections for National Committeeman and Committeewoman moved along at a snail's pace, Olympia Snowe's speech took longer than Astroturf takes to grow, and the House Republican demonstration, in which every candidate each remarked on their upcoming race, competed for most yawns. As a result, Congressional candidates were shortchanged, Mark Ellis turned down his opportunity to address the convention and convention business usually taken up by delegates was turned over to the state committee for future consideration.

On Day 2 of the Maine GOP Convention U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe applauded a number of people and groups who she said will help make this year a banner year for Republicans.

The 12 at-large delegates elected to the Republican National Convention match those on the list of “Republican Unity Candidates” recommended by the John McCain campaign.

The convention is now voting on alternates. 

They are:

Delegates are working through lunch to discuss the party platform. Next they will elect national delegates and hear from Fox News contributor Cal Thomas.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe spoke – wasn’t much we haven’t heard before but it got the crowd excited. Snowe spoke of her support for Collins’ reelection, and her plans to help Republicans across the state get elected.

The senators both urged party unity as the Democrats continue to fight over their pick for a presidential nominee.

Collins brought up a comment PolitickerME’s own Wally Edge made on a recent post. “Commentator Wally Edge said he expected this convention to be contentious,” Collins said. “Has he seen what’s going on with the Democrats?”

Both senators urged support for John McCain. Collins drew contrasts between herself and likely opponent Tom Allen on a number of issues.

Check back later for video on all speeches.

Truckers protest inWashington: Photo by Getty ImagesMembers of the Maine Congressional delegation have joined Maine truckers in speaking out against the rising cost of diesel fuel.

Eight Maine truckers went down to Washington to join a convoy protest the costs. They are part of the Coalition to Lower Fuel Prices.

In his book, which does a nice job of naming names, Chafee makes it clear that Senator Snowe assured him she would oppose Alito to the Supreme Court, but caved when threats of a primary emerged.

Peter CianchetteIf confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica, Peter Cianchette said he will focus on strengthening trade between the country and the United States, and work with local law enforcement to combat drugs being grown in the Latin American country.

Cianchette, Maine’s Republican National Committeeman, appeared before the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday for a confirmation hearing. President Bush tapped him for the post in February.