Tag Archives: Democrats

What a difference four years made for Bernie Sanders in Maine

What a difference four years makes. In 2016, Maine’s Democratic caucuses saw around 48,000 party faithful — as well as die-hard supporters of a certain democratic socialist — turn out on a Sunday. Sen. Bernie Sanders trounced Hillary Clinton by nearly 30 points. However, in our largest city, the Portland Democrats’ caucus efforts were described […]

Be wary of politicians offering simple solutions

They say you should beware of Greeks bearing gifts. We should probably also be wary of politicians offering simple solutions. The Democratic presidential field is winnowing as we approach “Super Tuesday.” For the most part, there isn’t much distinction between the candidates. Even the non-Democrats — socialist Bernie Sanders and recently-independent technocrat Michael Bloomberg — […]

Punxsutawney Phil 2020

I can’t believe I let such a momentous occasion pass without comment. Three weeks ago,  Punxsutawney Phil failed to see his shadow. So an early spring is on its way. Days get longer. Weather gets warmer. And things come into bloom. Like Michael Bloomberg. The former New York City mayor has made quite a splash […]

The importance of political spending is overblown

Cash. Money. Scratch. Moo-lah. Whatever you want to call it, it is in the political news. Much has been made of former Vice President Joe Biden’s poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire. It has had a second-order effect; his fundraising is drying up. This isn’t fatal for the former vice president. The role of […]

Infrastructure funding will determine whether Maine is not Washington

Well, at the very least, things are consistent. Just over a year ago, I wrote that Democrats — in Augusta and Washington — are a study in contrasts. It’s still true today. In the past 10 days, we saw two traditional ceremonies take place. In our nation’s capital, a procession of House Democrats marched to […]

A new bipartisanship in Augusta? Not really.

Now that Democrats are in charge in Augusta, everything is hunky-dory. Right? After all, that is the gist of a recent headline appearing in the Bangor Daily News. The gist of that reporting, by Maine Public, suggests former Gov. Paul LePage was a grump, and Gov. Janet Mills’ administration offers a sunny new approach to […]

If we want to reduce student loan debt, we have to look at college costs

I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today. — J. Wellington Wimpy. If you’re of a certain age, that quote probably seems familiar. You might even be part of the generation at the heart of one of the world’s newest memes. OK, boomers? That said, Wimpy’s quip is informative to one of the greatest policy […]

We should be united as celebrate America’s history

Psst. I’ve got a secret. There are a bunch of wealthy white men having a closed-door meeting. Rumor is they are conspiring to overthrow the government. Sounds spooky, right? Well, your perspective probably changes depending on what details are added. What if I told you that the group was the Cabinet members of President Donald […]

Collins shows her money. Will her opponents?

Show! Me! The! Money! While the line is popularly associated with the Tom Cruise film “Jerry Maguire,” it probably can also apply to Federal Election Commission filings. At the end of March, candidates raising money for the 2020 election are required to file disclosures showing people the money they raised. Sen. Susan Collins had a […]