Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

At least a couple of times a week, both sides in the gay-marriage campaign are sending out emails asking for money.

Today, Protect Marriage Maine stepped up the appeal by claiming that advocates put the question on the ballot this year "because the national media would be distracted with the presidential race."

"The pro-Gay Marriage groups have raised millions of dollars, and the lack of national media on this important ballot initiative have stunted the fundraising of groups that are fighting to Protect Traditional Marriage," the email reads.

It then goes on to warn that if gay advocates win in Maine this year, "they will have the momentum and funds to pass Gay Marriage Amendments in more than 30 other states in the next two years!"

Officially, gay-marriage advocates have said they chose 2012 for a number of reasons, including that they hope a presidential year will mean more young, progressive voters will head to the polls. They've also spent nearly three years talking to voters about the issue and believe they have changed enough minds to overturn the 53 percent to 47 percent rejection of gay marriage from 2009.

As an aside, the letter from Protect Marriage Maine is signed "Matt Raymond," although a quick call to campaign headquarters confirmed that as a typo. The letter is from Campaign Director Matt Hutson.

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Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

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