Richard Bennett

Snowe and McKernan: Olympia Snowe and John McKernan at the Maine Republican Convention in May. Politicker file photo.MINNEAPOLIS -- U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe said she would not take a job in presidential nominee John McCain’s administration if given the opportunity.

“No,” she said when asked by PolitickerME Wednesday. “I like what I’m doing in the Senate.”

However, had she been offered the vice presidency she would have “seriously considered it,” though she was never asked.

Snowe and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins are both close to McCain. Several Republican leaders have speculated that they would be on the top of McCain’s list for a cabinet job, if the Republican is elected.

MINNEAPOLIS -- If the Republicans manage to take the state Senate this year, then with a Democratic governor and a Democratic House the state will be forced to change the way it does business, said Republican National Committeeman Richard Bennett.

Bennett was the last Republican to serve as Senate President. In 2001 and 2002, the body stood with 17 Democrats, 17 Republicans and one independent. State officials formed a power-sharing agreement, with each party taking one year in power. Bennett was president in 2002. Independent Angus King was governor.

MINNEAPOLIS -- 2006 wasn’t a good year for Republicans. This year the Maine Republicans hope to redeem themselves.

Maine’s Republican National Committeeman Rick Bennett said the party is undergoing a transition, but hopes the John McCain-Sarah Palin presidential ticket will represent a reformist agenda. With them on the top of the ticket, combined with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor), who is running for reelection, he hopes to see an effect on the down-ballot races.

On the state level, Republicans hope to gain control of the state Senate, which currently has a gap of one seat.

In the Maine House, Republicans hope to close the gap.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Richard Bennett, Maine’s Republican National Committeeman, talks to PolitickerME after the first day of the Republican National Convention Monday.

The Maine Republican Party National Committeeman and Committeewoman results are official. Former Senate President Richard Bennett and former committeewoman Jan Staples are the new RNC members.

Cal Thomas spoke earlier. Currently ballots are being tallied for the national delegate slots. State delegates got to pick 12 of about 30 nominees.

Of those, 13 support Ron Paul, according to a list that was handed out. The John McCain campaign handed out a list of 12 “Republican Unity candidates”.

Former state Senate President Richard Bennett of Oxford is hoping to be the next Republican National Committeeman.

Current committeeman Peter Cianchette resigned his post today, after being confirmed as the next U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica.

Bennett announced his candidacy for the position in an e-mail to party members, dated today, which was passed on to PolitickerME.com by a source.