Sarah Palin

The Politico has this post about a mailer that has hit Maine mailboxes, targeting sportsmen.

The mailer features Todd Palin, husband to vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, warning that Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama’s environmental policies would end snowmobiling in national parks.

“John McCain and Sarah Palin have long been advocates to protect our environment with practical standards – allowing Americans to continue enjoying outdoor recreational activities. Snowmobilers will have a strong voice in the White House.”

UPDATE OCT. 25, 10:50 a.m.: Comments from Maine GOP chairman Mark Ellis – see below.

In an interview with Salon.com, Maine author Stephen King said the comparisons between President Richard Nixon’s campaigns and current Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s campaigns are “just depressing”. He said he drew the conclusion after reading the book “Nixonland”.

The interview was done in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of his novel “The Stand,” his most popular book about an end-of-the-world scenario where a flu virus is released from a U.S. military facility and wipes out almost all of the world’s population, setting the stage for a showdown between good and evil.

On McCain, King told Salon:

For a larger version, click here.

UPDATED: The Maine Republican Party said they distributed 6,500 tickets to the event.

BANGOR - Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin has riled up crowds lately by attacking Barack Obama's past, but when she spoke to nearly 6,500 people at the Bangor International Airport, she focused mostly on what she and presidential nominee John McCain would accomplish if elected.

She said McCain has asked her to specialize in energy policy, cutting government spending and developing policy to help children with special needs.

Palin’s plane touched down about 200 feet from the podium in Hanger 11 at the airport. U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe met her on the tarmac and introduced her.

“These are serious times, and they require serious leadership,” Snowe said. “The only way you can tackle the monumental issues of the time is by having the courage to work with each other instead of against each other. That’s exactly what McCain-Palin will do.” She then warned of the dangers of a “one-party-rule” in Washington.

BANGOR -- Live blogging: Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin in Bangor.

Introductions are going on right now.

Mark Ellis, chairman of the party, spoke about how his parents were in the Air National Guard, and noted his family’s desire to serve the country. “I know you share that with me,” he said.

He recognized two females that held positions with the Maine party – Julie O’Brien, the first female executive director, and Ann Robinson, the first female state convention chair.

He led the group in a chair… As Maine Goes, “so goes the nation.”

John Cashwell, the former mayor of Bangor and now state House candidate, also spoke. He got lots of applause when he said he was a Vietnam veteran.

“I know what it’s like to put your life on the line time after time, like John McCain,” he said.

He related his experience to Palin’s. “Palin was a mayor of a city, she fought the tax and spend government for the betterment of the people. She is change.”

Check PolitickerME.com throughout the day for more updates on the visit!

BANGOR -- Live blogging: Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin in Bangor.

At 8:30 a.m. traffic was lined up for about 2 miles to get into the Sarah Palin event, and a long line of people stretched outside.

Right now people are milling about, cheering anxiously at any activity by the podium.

Check PolitickerME.com throughout the day for more updates on the visit!

BANGOR -- Live blogging: Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin in Bangor.

The protests were orchestrated by the Maine Democratic Party and members of the Service Employees International Union.

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-East Millinocket) is expected to hold a press conference in response to Palin’s visit at 12:30 p.m.

Check PolitickerME.com throughout the day for more updates on the visit!

To view more cartoons by Politicker.com editorial cartoonist Rob Tornoe, click here.

Mark Ellis, Chairman of the maine GOP has annoucned a change in the venue to Hangar 11 on Godfrey Blvd. at Bangor International Airport. 

Governor Palin is coming to Bangor on Thursday, October 16 at 11:00 AM.

His annoucement also includes the following warning, "Finally, I cannot stress this enough -- given that we are expecting a very large crowd, please give yourself plenty of time and arrive early!"

Republican Vice Presidential nominee and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will be in Maine Thursday, the Maine Republican Party announced today.

The event will take place at the Bangor International Airport Maintenance Hangar.

Attendees must pick up tickets at one of the Maine Republican Party offices in advance.