Republican National Convention

At the Republican National Convention this week, most of the buzz was over Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska), the first woman to be named as a Republican vice presidential candidate.

In the Maine delegation, this gave many a reason to remember former Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman to be nominated for President on the floor of a convention.

In 1964, Smith placed fifth of nine candidates in the initial round of balloting at the Republican National Convention in 1964, with 27 of 1,308 votes. She refused to drop out for the second round of balloting, so Barry Goldwater’s nomination was not unanimous.

Patrick Eisenhart was the lone self declared Ron Paul delegate in the Maine delegation at the Republican Convention in St. Paul.  Although it was reported that twenty of Maine's twenty one delegates went for McCain.  The report also noted that "Patrick Eisenhart attended the convention in support of Ron Paul. Since Paul's name was not put in nomination, he did not vote."

Mr. Eisenhart provided additional comment to the story noting, "As can be verified by any member of the Maine delegation, I cast my vote for Ron Paul. Unlike that of Alaska, Maine delegation leadership elected not to read my vote for Ron Paul. Perhaps that is what led you to believe there were no votes for Ron Paul."

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.

On the convention floor: Delegate Dawn Gilbert sports her lobster hat. Politicker photo.ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Delegate Dawn Gilbert has gotten her fair share of attention at the Republican National Convention this week.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Julie O’Brien, executive director of the Maine Republican Party, hopes to return the Maine House where she previously served from 1996 to 2004.

O’Brien (R-Augusta) said she decided to run when incumbent Rep. Kim Silsby (D-Augusta) decided to drop out of the race. O’Brien faces Anna Blodgett (D-Augusta).

She said she is running because she wants to improve accountability in government by examining which programs work and which ones don’t – and trimming the fat.

Congressional candidate Charlie Summers speaks at the Republican National Convention: Getty Images PhotoUPDATED 8:40 ET/7:40 CT with a quote from Ruth Summers

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Charlie Summers did not tell his wife, Ruth, what he would be talking about in his brief remarks to the Republican National Convention tonight.

Much of it was about her.

In his speech, Summers said that he decided to run for Congress and then was deployed to Iraq for the U.S. Navy Reserve. The crowd cheered.

Then, he said, he almost had to suspend his campaign until Ruth, also a Naval officer, offered to campaign for him until he returned three weeks before the primary. Click here for his full remarks.

Frank Donatelli: Politicker photo.MINNEAPOLIS -- Frank Donatelli, deputy chairman of the Republican National Committee, said the party will target more blue states this year, but is waiting to see what the polls say before deciding what resources to expend in Maine.

Maine is a traditional blue state, with Democrat John Kerry getting 53 percent of the vote to President Bush’s 44 percent in 2004. The state splits its electoral votes, with each Congressional district getting one vote and the two remaining votes going to the overall winner.

In the first district in 2004, Kerry got 55 percent to Bush’s 43 percent. This district will likely go to Barack Obama.

MINNEAPOLIS – Charlie Summers will address the Republican National Convention tonight.

His speech will happen between 7 and 8 Eastern time (6 and 7 Central time). UPDATE: His campaign said the estimated time is 7:16 ET/6:16 CT.

Summers is a candidate for the First Congressional District, running against Democrat Chellie Pingree.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The two Republican National Convention delegates from Topsham had quick reactions to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's speech Wednesday.

"That girl rocks," said Dwayne Bickford, a Republican activist.

"Absolutely amazing," said state Rep. Kerri Prescott (R-Topsham.)

Palin, the Republican nominee for vice president, gave a highly praised speech last night, painting herself as a reformer, a family woman, but also took jabs at Democratic opponents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.