Campaign Trail: Otten repeats pledge not to increase taxes
Candidates step up efforts in the final days before Tuesday's primary vote.
By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer
AUGUSTA - Republican Les Otten said at a State House rally Thursday that he wouldn't hesitate to shut down state government, use the bully pulpit or cut programs to avoid a tax increase.
Les Otten
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Otten, who described himself as the "front runner" in a news release announcing the rally, addressed about 50 people in the Hall of Flags, just steps from the office he hopes to occupy.
Otten's event was one of many held across the state Thursday as the 11 Democrats and Republicans who are running for governor pushed toward Tuesday's primaries.
Otten, a businessman who is one of seven Republicans in the race, raised his right hand -- as he has in his television commercials -- and promised not to raise taxes.
Elsewhere, candidates toured businesses, made get-out-the-vote stops at diners, gave speeches and attended last-minute fundraisers.
The four Democrats -- Patrick McGowan, Steve Rowe, Rosa Scarcelli and Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell -- met in Lewiston for one last debate, hosted by the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.
The final days have taken on added importance with polls showing many voters still undecided. One poll, released Tuesday, said that as many as 60 percent of Democrats and half of Republicans remain unsold on any of the candidates.
That poll, released by Portland-based PanAtlantic SMS Group, indicated Otten leading among Republicans, followed by Waterville Mayor Paul LePage, state Sen. Peter Mills and Steve Abbott.
On Thursday, Mills' campaign released a poll -- which it sponsored -- identifying Mills as the leader, followed by Otten, Abbott and LePage.
None of the polling is conclusive, prompting campaigns to bolster their efforts as the elections approach.
As she began Thursday's news conference, Otten campaign manager Edie Smith told supporters: "Nobody leaves this Hall of Flags unless you are loaded up with T-shirts, lawn signs and brochures to distribute between now and next Tuesday."
Senate Minority Leader Kevin Raye, R-Perry, talked about why he feels Otten is the best of the seven men in the GOP field.
"My wife and I own and operate a small family business," said Raye, who runs Raye's Mustard in Eastport. "I know that with Les Otten as governor, Maine's small-business people will finally have a friend in the Blaine House."
MaineToday Media State House Reporter Susan Cover can be contacted at 620-7015 or at:
scover@centralmaine.com
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34 COMMENTS
louisH2Ovill said...
Yeah, give Otten the chance to ruin the state economy like he did American Ski--he built up too much debt and then couldn't manage it--he didn't raise the revenue for American Ski either! He would rather see the state bankrupt like California than raise taxes--like the California Republicans! A sure prescription for disaster in an economic downturn! And he opposes the tax reform because he does NOT want out-of-state people to pay more to support our state! Otten is NOT a good choice! And he thumbs his nose at trying to work with the state legislature!
June 4, 2010 at 4:39 AM Report abuse
jake007 said...
"Otten, addressed about 50 people the rally"....50 frigging people!!!Joe Gray gets more people then that at his weekly Amway meetings at the Woodfords club!
June 4, 2010 at 5:31 AM Report abuse
Sam said...
lol - I just want to know: did Otten plagiarize George H. W. Bush with a "read my lips" presentation the way he has plagiarized Obama and the Maine Heritage Policy Center? Or maybe he once again said "he was destroyed, that's good enough for me" about his campaign official who made the mistake of assuming Otten had actual ideas of his own and would rewrite the rough draft he was handed. Yeah - that was really special. We learned who Otten really is with that one. Otten's approach to leadership is: Don't take ANY responsibility for not understanding your own policy answers and ruin the career of some underling to cover up your incompetence!
June 4, 2010 at 6:15 AM Report abuse
steve99 said...
Don't trust him one bit!! You Otten vote for Les! He couldn't run a business never mind a state.
June 4, 2010 at 6:26 AM Report abuse
Sam said...
Unenrolled voters in Maine can enroll in either party and vote in the primary up to and including on the day of the vote(if you are already enrolled in a party it is too late to change for this primary). The front-runners, Otten & Mitchell, are both HORRIBLE choices to run Maine's government, so I will change from unenrolled to republican on primary day and vote for Peter Mills. He is the only Republican running who can beat Mitchell so unless you want another embarrassing defeat like the last governor's election, Mills should be the choice.
June 4, 2010 at 7:01 AM Report abuse
eWFyZGJpcmQ%3D said...
if you like the fox in the hen house . then vote for Otten
June 4, 2010 at 7:38 AM Report abuse
BillyFiske said...
Otten has contibuted to Chellie Pingree, Joe Biden & Mike Michaud. The Manchurian Candidate?
June 4, 2010 at 8:02 AM Report abuse
WR70 said...
What programs is he gonna cut? I'd prefer to raise taxes than to run a defecit. The "no new taxes" thing was old before "read my lips."
June 4, 2010 at 8:24 AM Report abuse
MainelyJack said...
The Otten campaign has been run almost entirely on his money as there is no real ground swell of support for this RINO from New Jersey. He has plagerized others thoughts, put up a poor defense to the charge that he ran American Skiing into the ground while feathering his own nest (True) and behaved like he believes he is entitled to the nomination. He would be a lousy governor and a poor choice for Republicans.
June 4, 2010 at 8:30 AM Report abuse
Sam said...
In another story on this site today we learn that Otten has outspent every other candidate many time over and 95% of his campaign funds have come from his personal wealth. So the question is: will Maine Republicans really allow this failed businessman to buy the nomination to be their candidate for governor (and probably hand to keys to the Blaine House to Libby Mitchell if they do)?
June 4, 2010 at 8:52 AM Report abuse
KraziJoe said...
I could never vote for someone that deals in absolutes. Pledge not to increase taxes...Pffftttt...It would never happen, of course he would raise fees and say that he is not raising taxes...Nope...Not gonna vote for him...
June 4, 2010 at 9:18 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
"Yeah, give (fill in with any Democrat running) the chance to ruin the state economy"....wait a minute, is Sunday river out of business; is the region around it deserted; is Sugarloaf O.O.B. and everything closed? nope. OTTEN's ventures lasted and the region around the resorts prospered; LOUIS...you lost money? come on, admit it, Why should Otten want to "work with the State Legislature". The DEM regime has sunk us in debt and when the scandal involving John Richardson hits the courts, you'll realize the DEM's only use 'jobs' problems to fill union coffers and hire insider consultants.
June 4, 2010 at 9:27 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
When elected, Otten will focus on maximizing the interplay between natural resources and community development in two areas: recreation and retirement. His ski resorts were expanded into four season enterprises; and this concept can be expanded to other areas in the state. Face the facts, as a manufacturing state, Maine is largely finished with several notable exceptions in the Greater Portland area. The manufacturing 'anchors' that kept rural Maine going are fast disappearing and the only thing I see replacing them are call centers. Coastal Maine is being carpeted with retirement colonies, and the only candidate who sees the opportunities to enhance them as micro economies is Otten and possibly Poliquin. ... unless you like joining the 'handout' brigade that goes to Washington with their begging cups?
June 4, 2010 at 9:39 AM Report abuse
Sam said...
Otten's campaign slogan “American Skiing took on too much debt and then American Skiing had to sell most if not all of its ski resorts. Vote Les Otten, he’ll do the same to Maine.” ? Vote Otten - First Crushing Debt - Then Maine For Sale! *slightly modified version of a comment found on "As Maine Goes" .
June 4, 2010 at 9:44 AM Report abuse
mrrogers said...
All talk about why they are jealous of Otten and zero about why their own candidates have a better plan? LOL
June 4, 2010 at 11:24 AM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
PAUL LEPAGE FOR GOVERNOR!!
June 4, 2010 at 11:29 AM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
mrrogers, pull up Paul LePage's website and read his opinion page. It says it all......
June 4, 2010 at 11:57 AM Report abuse
ModerateOne said...
Every one of the resorts Les bought were far better off when he left than when he got there. He made huge improvements in these areas. He actually built something.
June 4, 2010 at 12:00 PM Report abuse
ModerateOne said...
ThistleDew, given his dismal performance in the debate this week, it is hard to see LePage running a discount salvage business, let alone the state.
June 4, 2010 at 12:09 PM Report abuse
cranky-yank said...
And yet, "Less" Otten thinks Maine should have come up with $260 Million dollars to fund Jackson Labs expansion. Just where did "Less" think that money was going to come from? Yeah, we all know about those Republi-CON pledges of "No new taxes." Just aske George H. W. Bush to explain it to you. While Otten may not create any "new" taxes, that pledge doesn't prevent him from RAISING existing taxes.
June 4, 2010 at 12:22 PM Report abuse
LarrySellers said...
How about a pledge to DECRESE taxes and reduce the size of our government's balance sheet?
June 4, 2010 at 12:24 PM Report abuse
cranky-yank said...
Uh, "CommonCents," yes Sunday River was deserted and out of business. It took the board of American Skiing to get rid of Otten, selling the ski area to another company for it to succeed. As it was, American Skiing filed for bankruptcy and went out of business. Otten doesn't get the credit for making Sunday River a success because HE DIDN'T, others who came along after him did. Also, Otten is now taking credit for "creating" Sunday River. Wrong again Bucko-Sunday River started in 1959, that's THIRTEEN (13) YEARS before Les Otten is hired. This guy is a phony as they come.
June 4, 2010 at 12:30 PM Report abuse
ThistleDew said...
ModerateOne, Did you know that he had a ballgame piping through while he was trying to speak? Their sound system was all screwed up. He's not great at speaches, but he gets results. Let's not condemn him yet, WMTW is going to try again and give them another hour on Monday night.
June 4, 2010 at 1:13 PM Report abuse
Beanbad said...
For sure though, modern architects have always had it kind of rough.
June 4, 2010 at 2:36 PM Report abuse
Page5Girl said...
lepage's opening remarks, were not only in english, but also in french, HEY LEPAGE, IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, YOU ARE IN AMERICA!
June 4, 2010 at 3:11 PM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Otten was hired as manager after the 72-73 season and has the following record of accomplishment: 1972 The Shelburne Company, owner of Killington, purchases a controlling interest in Sunday River. A 23-year-old graduate of Killington’s management training program is sent over as assistant manager. Following the 72-73 season, Les Otten becomes general manager for Sunday River. 1974 The Ecstasy trail is added and the Barker lift line is renamed Agony, playing on the popular movie that year, “The Agony and the Ecstasy”. 1976 Sunday River hosts the NCAA Championships and the Canadian American Intercollegiate Alpine Series. 1978 Construction for South Ridge Base Lodge begins. Mixing Bowl is extended down to the new base along with snowmaking. A platter lift is installed next to T-1 for additional capacity. 1980 Shelburne Corporation sells Sunday River to Les Otten and loans him the money to make the purchase 1982 Maine Handicapped Skiing is established at Sunday River.
June 4, 2010 at 3:12 PM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Were LePage a bit younger, better educated, and more photogenic; he'd have a shot in the primary. ...maybe I've lived in Brunswick too long to appreciate a real Maineer...but I'm not alone in this observation.
June 4, 2010 at 3:15 PM Report abuse
Chris said...
Les Otten sounds like yet another "Maine Heritage Policy Center" extremist who would have NO chance of winning the general election, so why waste your vote on him?
June 4, 2010 at 3:44 PM Report abuse
2B said...
Say no to Les.
June 4, 2010 at 4:34 PM Report abuse
BillyFiske said...
How many of the 1,200 Sunday River jobs are year round. How many are more than a few thousand dollars given to people who do it for free or discounted skiing?
June 4, 2010 at 7:38 PM Report abuse
Abetterplace said...
Otten did not have the leadership to keep American Ski Co. together, doesn't sound like someone we need to elect for Gov. I'm from central Maine, and have been fortunate enough to read the Waterville Morning Sentinel how they reported on Lepage who has had the back bone to consistently stand up to the all Democratic Town Council, and reduce taxes each year, or not raise them as the case this year, while not cutting services. He is my only choice for our next Gov. of Maine. Educate yourself and read about him on his website, www.lepage2010.com
June 4, 2010 at 8:38 PM Report abuse
cat said...
WMTW has canceled the second GOP debate. http://www.wmtw.com/politics/23795439/detail.html
June 4, 2010 at 9:37 PM Report abuse
Portcitylive said...
Les Otten is a vain, vindictive man who would not be fit to run a dog catching business. Let the Republicans nominate him so that someone else can beat him.
June 4, 2010 at 10:41 PM Report abuse
MSH said...
Does anybody REALLY CARE???
June 5, 2010 at 8:03 AM Report abuse