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February 9

Our View: Don't miss chance to participate in caucus

Maine Republicans have a rare opportunity to vote in a wide-open presidential race this year.

The country will be watching Maine this weekend, when the state Republican Party releases the results of its presidential preference straw poll.

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Sen. Olympia Snowe receives applause at a Republican caucus last Saturday in Augusta. Many Maine communities will hold GOP caucuses this Saturday.

Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

It may not be the same spotlight that has been shone on Iowa, another caucus state, and it will be a tiny blip compared with our neighbor to the south and its first-in-the nation primary that captivates the political world every four years.

But Maine will be the only state on the map to report results on Saturday, and Republicans and independents who want to register as Republicans have a chance to be counted in the numbers that will be released to the national media.

The Republican Party gives its local municipal committees a great deal of leeway when they hold their caucuses, so some towns have already completed their work. But most greater Portland municipalities are scheduled to caucus on Saturday, giving many Mainers a chance to have a say in who will win the opportunity to challenge President Obama in November.

Maine may not send many delegates to the party convention, but its preference will be recorded in a race that is far from over.

Four years ago, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney carried the state easily, and he is the front-runner, both in Maine and in the race overall.

But this election cycle has an entirely different dynamic than that race, which was quickly tied up by nominee John McCain. This time, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich have both beaten Romney in other states, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul has visited Maine to campaign as part of his strategy of focusing on caucus states.

Santorum had a big day Tuesday, winning Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri, and Maine could either extend his momentum or stall it.

Eligible caucus-goers can find out the details for their municipal caucus by checking the state party website, www.mainegop.com, or by calling local party officials.

Maine may not get as much hype as other states, but voters should not miss the chance to shape history. Before the Maine Republican presidential preference numbers are released, all eligible voters should make the effort to be counted.

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