Maine Voices: LePage a mainstream conservative, but his opponents can't admit it
Since liberals are a minority in Maine and the nation, they have to run as 'moderates' and tar their opponents as extremists.
By JOHN FRARY
FARMINGTON - "Maine's voters are moderate" is a universally accepted generalization, but it is not strictly true -- if a February Gallup poll is accurate. It categorizes 36 percent of Maine's voters as conservative and 23 percent as liberals. Only 38 percent of voters say they are "moderates," while 59 percent come down on the left or the right. Around 3 percent evade any category.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Frary (e-mail: jfrary8070@aol.com) of Farmington is a retired college history professor who was the Republican candidate for Congress in Maine’s 2nd District in 2008.
It is true, however, that a candidate must attract moderate votes to win. In rough, round numbers, a Republican must hold a conservative base and pull in little more than a third of the moderate voters, while his Democratic rival's liberal base must be enhanced by nearly 70 percent of them.
These numbers explain why no Democrat ever runs for statewide office as a liberal, but always as a moderate or pragmatist. For the same reason no Democratic candidate, operative or media ally can ever recognize the Republican candidate as a "conservative."
He or she must be identified as a radical far-right extremist. The more liberal or leftish the Democratic candidate, the more important it becomes to hang the extremist label on his or her GOP rival. It scares the moderates into voting for him or her.
The fact that the Gallup Poll says 23 percent of registered Democrats nationally are "conservative" and only 2 percent of registered Republicans as "liberal" (I have no statistics for Maine) makes it all the more imperative to follow this tactic. For most voters, "liberal" has more negative connotations than "conservative."
These obvious calculations are complicated in 2010 by two independent candidates with personal fortunes adequate to finance credible campaigns without support from the major parties. Shawn Moody has said that he would have supported Peter Mills or Steve Abbott if they had won the GOP primary. Eliot Cutler has left the Democratic Party because he believes that it has become a captive of special interests. Both aim to build a base among the moderates.
It makes electoral sense for the Moody, Cutler and Libby Mitchell camps to represent Paul LePage as a far-right extremist, although his record as mayor of Waterville will be no use to them, unless tax-cutting by means of efficient management can be called extremist.
It helps that the media has generally described the mayor as the "most conservative" Republican in the June primary. Actually that's a little sloppy, since there's no obvious reason to consider Bill Beardsley as any less conservative.
It is, nevertheless, fair to call the Republican candidate conservative, but not so easy to explain how much more conservative he is than his other five former rivals. All the GOP candidates offered similar diagnoses of Maine's ills -- taxes too high, irrational and burdensome regulations, a dysfunctional welfare system, a dismal business climate, poor government management.
The solutions they proposed were generally compatible. All six endorsed Paul LePage at a unity rally after the election.
The "assassination by classification" strategy will rest primarily on the guilt-by-association method. There are two associations we will be hearing a lot about, the tea parties and the religious right.
The religious right ploy will be a little awkward. Paul LePage was raised Catholic and attends the Roman Catholic Church. Condemning him for his religious views comes close to putting up a "No French Allowed" sign in front of the Blaine House. Not a good idea.
His opponents will get some mileage from the Republican's answer to question about "creationism" in a debate.
He did not propose this as a vital educational reform. He did not advocate removing evolution from the curriculum. He merely said that he would not oppose a local school board including such a component.
It seems unlikely that any Maine school board would actually include a "creationist" or "intelligent design" curriculum component, but the slightest expression of doubt about the theory of evolution is regarded as heresy by quite a lot of people, so we can expect to hear a lot about this non-issue.
I saw a lot of LePage support at the tea party rallies I've attended, and I've heard LePage address a couple of them.
His speeches emphasized fidelity to the limits placed on government power by the Constitution. In my experience, that is a theme that unites nearly all those who show up for these events.
Few voters will see that as an extreme position, but a tea party is open to all comers. Any oddball can ride in on his personal hobby horse.
It is predictable that these few oddballs will be useful to those with a mission to label Paul LePage as too extreme for Maine.
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60 COMMENTS
Biddy said...
Frary is intelligent enough to realize there is a vast difference between a Mayor in a weak Mayor governing system and the Governor of a state. He should also realizes there is a vast difference in degree of those who consider themselves as "Conservative". Also for those who consider themselves "Liberal". LePage has been tagged as a extreme conservative because most of his positions on issues have fallen in that category. And while existing school boards might not allow creationism to be taught in schools, we're all aware of the stealth tactics of the religious right who would likely field full slates of candidates in local elections for that sole purpose. We don't need our nation's poisoned politics spilling into our communities.
July 6, 2010 at 6:29 AM Report abuse
tim said...
I don't know about the religious right but in NYC the Catholic schools produce great results for half the price. An atheist left the school system a large part of his fortune simply because the school system worked. Recognizing a little divine intervention doesn't hurt.
July 6, 2010 at 7:04 AM Report abuse
Ed said...
If Paul LePage would like to be considered a common sense conservative, he simply needs to disavow the Maine Republican Party platform and its extremist tea party rhetoric. It's not just evolution the tea party would like to deny, it's civil rights, environmental protection, business regulation,public education, and just about every other advancement of the 20th century.
July 6, 2010 at 7:42 AM Report abuse
Scrib said...
The question of what to teach in science classes isn't even on LePage's radar, as Frary points out. Rather, it's a red herring the left is using to deflect attention away from the issues.
July 6, 2010 at 7:48 AM Report abuse
Scrib said...
And since I'm on here- Ed, the tea party, such as it is, has absolutely nothing to do with evolution or civil rights. As a broadbased "movement" its ONLY issue is fiscal responsibility. Anyone who says otherwise is either ignorant or dishonest.
July 6, 2010 at 7:54 AM Report abuse
AXeL said...
"Stealth Tactics of the Religious Right", Biddy? Do say! As opposed to the overt race Obama is running to hammer his Socialist agenda through a democrat-controlled House and Senate before Americans vote them out again, I would VASTLY prefer the STEALTH method. God help any candidate who has any moral convictions! In today's mad, mad world it is quite out of fashion.
July 6, 2010 at 7:55 AM Report abuse
Ed said...
Scrib, Guess you better tell that to Rand Paul, the poster boy for Tea Party Amerika. Oh, and maybe clue in Glenn Beck as well. They seem to have a much wider agenda than just lowering taxes and reducing the size of government. And, come to think of it, better check out the Maine Republican platform as well.
July 6, 2010 at 8:07 AM Report abuse
Godless said...
This reads more like a preemptive "excuses why he lost" article than anything else...
July 6, 2010 at 9:06 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
"Lepage mainstream conservative' written BY , "mainstream conservative" frary( who also lost) PLEEZEEE!! It appears the mind twisting, fool the voter camapign season has begun already. More properly called: Let's just play pretend. OK let me get this straight, you go as far right as possible to get votes to win the prinmary and then change your mind and plat form to win the general election??? That's twisted. That is making "poltical strategy more important then "serving the public" and YOUR OWN principles. It's playing "fool the public" both for the primary and the general election!!! Funny thing I expect the candidates to hold TO the promises in their campaign literature, on web sites and IN dabates. YOU don't get to change direction" just to win!!! That's twisted!!
July 6, 2010 at 9:33 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
I prefer a model of government where the governor only manages the executive branch and doesn't try to dominate the legislature. ...When this happens, as it has under Baldacci; you find the executive leadership diluted to the point of having the governor delegate large government agencies to be run by political appointees of dubious backgrounds. The results are disastrous and expensive....computer systems costing in the tens of millions of dollars that don't run, very unwise $25m purchases of derivatives sold by cute Merrill bond brokers that went bust two weeks later; enabling schools to use excess Mainecare payments to cover operating deficits; stretching definitions on eligibility for federal categoricals so much the Feds. demanded repayment of migrant education funds spent by Portland Schools. TIME TO ELECT A MANAGER, NOT PHOTO-OP 'XPAINER'
July 6, 2010 at 9:55 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
The right needs to spend less time thinking, talking and writing about campaign strategy and how to "fool the voters" and MORE time offering viable solution and actually SERVING the people. OOPS never mind, party of NO.If you have to keep remaking your self, maybe you are out of step with the majority of voters. Think about it*( and stop believing your own political myths).
July 6, 2010 at 9:57 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
CATSO...your compulsive posting disorder is getting worse, all the wretched grammar and same misspellings are coming back, and you're ranting instead of making sense......Kick up the dosage of meds. and join the "dabate"!
July 6, 2010 at 10:09 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Paul LePage would like to be considered a common sense conservative", and yet that is NOT how he "ran". Creationism is fine for Catholic school, it's called religion class, BUT NOT for public school where religion class is not permitted--separation of state and religion and all that jazz. He is suggesting that it be permitted in PUBLIC school in VIOLATION of the constitution.
July 6, 2010 at 10:12 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Religion has it's place: at home and at the church, temple, mosque or spiritual center of your choosing. Or even IN religious school, if you so choose.
July 6, 2010 at 10:17 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Obviously, it is easy to see how you all evolved from POND SCUM....lol...evolution in reverse?
July 6, 2010 at 10:20 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Since RELIGIOUS STUDIES is a major offering at the University of Maine, a public college of higher education---see http://catalog.umaine.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=47&poid=4040&returnto=527 for the major tracks and extensive listing of courses, only indoctrinating public school students would set them back if they decided to major in Religious Studies. Why shouldn't Maine's public schools better prepare students for a progressive higher education by offering all points of view?...or do you Hitlerites want to purge UMS of religious studies as well?
July 6, 2010 at 10:28 AM Report abuse
Biddy said...
That's a good synopsis of the Baldacci administration Common. Mitchell would likely duplicate that while LePage would likely micro manage which often times is worse. Management style is more important in smaller venues like Municipal government. A Governor needs to project a wider vision for the state and be able to promote it through the legislature and to the public.
July 6, 2010 at 10:33 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Religious studies that you can CHOOSE of your own free will at the UNIVERSITY level as a adult is very different then being mandated or required attendance of a minor child. They are 2 different things. School prayer was NOT a choice and promoted ONLY one of MANY different religions that children practice at home. It alienated those children that DID not practice the religion being practiced and promoted at school.
July 6, 2010 at 10:56 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
2/3 of my class stayed silent( and were uncomfortable or embarrassed )during school prayer, said daily, BECAUSE it wasn't their religion's prayers being said.
July 6, 2010 at 11:03 AM Report abuse
Biddy said...
I agree with henryelm on the issue of University Vs Public School Curriculum. Public School Curriculum is for the most part mandatory. In a University one can choose one's own Major and Minors. It is a stretch to say that Religious Studies is a REQUIRED course at the University. It is a Major for those who choose it as it should be.
July 6, 2010 at 11:34 AM Report abuse
tenacity said...
small minded big mouthed liberals as usual henry, biddy, et al. I'm going to enjoy watching you convulse in hatred until November! People are done with the social engineering......don't you remember "it's the economy stupid" roflmao
July 6, 2010 at 11:43 AM Report abuse
Biddy said...
tenacity awakens with his usual name calling that serves as his level of discourse. It's really a no lose proposition for many of us in November. Either we get to listen to the Right continue to rant after an election day loss OR we get to see the Right get crucified two years hence when they accomplish NOTHING or make things WORSE with the power granted them by voters. Especially with all the histronics and chaos they've caused these past two years.
July 6, 2010 at 12:07 PM Report abuse
AXeL said...
I can't WAIT for LePage to become Maine's Governor. Why, then we can force schools to teach Creation, make gays to wear a yellow star, outlaw abortion, criminalize couples shacking up and place Liberals in a concentration camp. Oh Happy days are ahead of us! THIS is what will happen if we elect Paul LePage! I am a dumb liberal and I approve this message.
July 6, 2010 at 12:12 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
And the far right represented by tenny, uncomomn sense, and aXel rod shows what they are made of: insults, name calling, personal attacks,enemies lists and one liners. Anything BUT addressing issues, SOLVING problems or debating issues on facts or civilly. The issue is should creationism be allowed to be taught in PUBLIC school to MINORS??? I say religion belongs at home and at the spiritual center of your choice and having it in public school violates the constitution. Any valid arguemnt on the OTHER side of the issue??
July 6, 2010 at 12:50 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
I think "religious studies" is a great thing for adults. And parents, NOT teachers, should "teach" and reconcile the conflict between creationism and evolution, as they have done for many generations.
July 6, 2010 at 12:54 PM Report abuse
JazzBox said...
This is exactly why the republicans will fail in November. They're so riled up and emotional they can't think straight.
July 6, 2010 at 12:58 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
henry, it takes more faith to believe in the theory of evolution than creationism. Where are all the missing links between man and ape? shouldn't there be various mid-step beings in various stages in all of the animal kingdom? Can you show just one (1) example of a species that has changed into another? NOPE it is all theory which mankind worships because of our humanism. Change is not evolution, change comes from variety. Evolution is the theory that systems improve with time and become better. That concept has no reality to it. Buy a car and in ten years it's better? Let a fruit tree not be pruned and it gets better? of course not but liberals see it that way....FOOLS
July 6, 2010 at 1:00 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
The liberal inside the rainbow reporter is in censor mode again...sad the socialist can't handle the truth......fortunately it doesn't matter, the truth is the truth and it will prevail!
July 6, 2010 at 1:14 PM Report abuse
RickD said...
Experience is so overrated these days, after all we have someone hanging out in the White House that never had any governing experience and we can see how well that is working for us. We need someone that can balance a budget, cut waste, and encourage private sector employers to either hire or set up shop in Maine. But that would fly in the face of Maine's Democratic Party dream of building the first entirely welfare state in the nation. That is really the choice, if you want more of the same vote Mitchell her record speaks for itself. If you want more of the same but prefer to be surprised then vote Cutler, he is just a liberal Democrat masquerading as an Independent. If you hope Maine can be something other then an over taxed welfare state, your only option is LePage. But lets be honest, no matter who you vote for, you will have to be holding your nose when you do. Sad to think these are the best Maine can find to run for governor.
July 6, 2010 at 1:28 PM Report abuse
Biddy said...
I encourage anyone to explain why they think Cutler is a liberal Democrat. His positions on issues seem to be very middle of the road. He supported REPUBLICAN Peter Mills in the 2006 primaries. I can surmise that those who try to tag Cutler as a Liberal do so because they are several degrees right of former President Reagan. That seems to be where the R's are headed today.
July 6, 2010 at 1:42 PM Report abuse
JazzBox said...
Gots to love all this socialist BS. So it's socializing healthcare when it's provided by private insurers? It's socialism to have financial regulations? Do any of you socialist mongers actually know and understand the definition of socialism? You've really got to have more than a catch phrase to have a debate, you know.
July 6, 2010 at 2:19 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
"That seems to be where the R's are headed today." which is why the R's are fleeing THEIR Party to take over and pollute the D party instead . And "pretend" they are something that they are NOT, such as Tony PAYNE"S group. Took them awhile, but they figured out the math- you need a D beside your name to win in Maine. Instead of changing their thinking to be consistent with the majority of the voters in Maine, they just change the letter beside their name to D--more fool the voter-like!!
July 6, 2010 at 2:23 PM Report abuse
Routone said...
Holy Cow! Someone let Frary out of the nut house?! Who knew!
July 6, 2010 at 4:51 PM Report abuse
Routone said...
It's clear that the same far right extremist Republican that goes after the powerless who receive social services, will himself claim victimhood by claiming the "no French allowed" statement. The very same wingnuts who are the first to go after racial preferences ask to be pitied and treated as if they're being "disciminated" against. This is just more evidence that Republicans only care about themselves and are hypocrites! Republican: Creeps welcome!
July 6, 2010 at 5:00 PM Report abuse
Routone said...
Tim, If a private Muslim school produced great results, then LePage would be behind giving that school public funds? Or is he only going to say it's OK to give Catholic schools public funds? We know the answer to thast question you wingnut!
July 6, 2010 at 5:03 PM Report abuse
Routone said...
CommonCents (anything but), You wrote that the Governor appoints individuals of "dubious backgrounds" to run agencies. Really, so where is your evidence? You see, you make a sweeping generalization that is anti-logical on the face of it, along with just downright absurd, and you do it merely to prop up that which you wish to believe. This is called being a child. It's why you're a Republican, you prefer to latch on to things you want to believe rather than what is actually true. Republican: Ignorant. Angry. Worthless.
July 6, 2010 at 5:07 PM Report abuse
pphreader said...
Yeah Scrib,turn on Fox Noise,and they'll tell you a different story.Your Tea Party has been coopted by the meanest,hateful people that call themselves Christians."Whatever you do to the least of my brothers,that you do unto me".
July 6, 2010 at 5:18 PM Report abuse
pphreader said...
Can't wait for November to see the usual conservative posters have to hoist that pspoonful of crap to their mouths once again.Membah 2006 and 2008?hahahah
July 6, 2010 at 5:21 PM Report abuse
David said...
Whatever LePage may be, he's not an extremist. You don't run away from an abusive father and live on the streets at eleven years old and become anything but pragmatic. He wasn't not my first, second, or third choice (Scarcelli, Mills, Jacobson), but he's an easy pick of an out-of-touch legislator and a guy who thinks he's doing us a big favor by running for governor. I'm a moderate voter who voted for Obama, and I'm voting for LePage.
July 6, 2010 at 11:07 PM Report abuse
sapereaude1 said...
Anyone who thinks creationism should be taught in our public schools is simply ignorant. Maine's schools are bad enough as it is, without medieval superstition degrading them more. LePage is apparently a skillful money manager--let him be the mayor of Portland for awhile and get that city's finances in order. We need someone with a better grasp on the nature of Nature to lead the state. The problem with arch-conservative political candidates is that they make it impossible not to hand the state over to scatterbrained urban liberals
July 6, 2010 at 11:14 PM Report abuse
sapereaude1 said...
I see Axel is rolling without his wheel again. Axel, what proof do you have that Obama is a socialist? I don't see any, and I think I'd recognize it. America's settlers were semi-socialists at the village level. They all belonged to the militia, and paid their taxes in labor on common public projects. They were also semi-communistic at the household level, and communitarian capitalists at the neighborhood level. That's how they got barns raised, streams bridged and boats built and crewed. Read how the frigate Essex was built in Salem before she was given to the navy. Why don't you give education a whirl before you make a fool of yourself?
July 6, 2010 at 11:22 PM Report abuse
mainejeff said...
Nevermind this political crap......I want to hear more about Mr. Frary's 2008 live-in campaign aide, Thayne Ormsby!
July 7, 2010 at 1:49 AM Report abuse
mainejeff said...
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/148056.html
July 7, 2010 at 1:51 AM Report abuse
tenacity said...
add Hawaii to the list biddy, henry, dimone et al won't be visiting #34 against homosexual marriage! Governor actually listen to the voters and veto the legislation........November will be great!
July 7, 2010 at 1:53 AM Report abuse
mohonk said...
Biddy, drink your kool aid and go back to bed.
July 7, 2010 at 5:14 AM Report abuse
mohonk said...
Wow! This article surely riled up the left wing this morning. As usual with nothing factual to say, they defer to name calling. It would be refreshing to read some real commentary on here instead of the usual rants.
July 7, 2010 at 5:22 AM Report abuse
brightOne said...
A very well written view of a LePain apologist. Problem is,if you have to be apologizing this much, this early, well, the race is probably already over for poor LePain.
July 7, 2010 at 7:41 AM Report abuse
brightOne said...
"it takes more faith to believe in the theory of evolution than creationism" - - - - - - Only if your reading and comprehension level is somewhere around the 4th grade.
July 7, 2010 at 7:58 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
ROADKILL(ROUTone)....guess which head was a bartender before his appointment; which had zero experience in financial investing and only an undergraduate degree; and which was rewarded for his loyalty to the governor with a plum appointment....that's three...there are many more.
July 7, 2010 at 8:53 AM Report abuse
Hagimallis said...
Everyone needs to read my book to get over it. Mike Mallis
July 7, 2010 at 8:54 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Anyone who thinks creationism should be taught in our public schools is simply ignorant.... as is someone who hasn't reviewed the content of the RELIGIOUS STUDIES curriculum at the University of MAINE(public college) or listened to a libtard babble about how great Obama is. Indoctrination is not education, but the hallmark of a totalitarian regime and I despise mind control freaks running Maine's NANNY STATE....not saying you're a nanny BIDDY, but you're damn good apologist for them!
July 7, 2010 at 9:15 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Biddy, I followed closed the expensive mess the Baldacci administration made in designing the MAINECARE billing computer system since I have considerable expertise in this are. Baldacci didn't have a clue about designing a health care billing system; nor consulted with other states that had working systems which could be easily adapted to Maine and instead contracted with a Canadian firm. The other major mistake was defaulting to a Committee of DHHS users with, as far as I could see, ZERO experience in developing billing systems...and did they screw it up! Similar things happened at the Bureau of Licensing and they were expensive to repair. So in just this one area alone; I would prefer a real executive with a working knowledge of management information systems--Point of Sale systems and inventory trackers are sophisticated; to oversee the State's many computer systems..neither Libby nor Cutler have and experience in these fundamental task areas!!
July 7, 2010 at 9:24 AM Report abuse
trisailer said...
I guess this is the first attempt to portray lepage as a moderate, good reading for people wearing boots.
July 7, 2010 at 9:28 AM Report abuse
brightOne said...
"Indoctrination is not education, but..." - - - - - - - - - - - The wingnuts, interpreting science to fit their religious and political agenda...that's what we should be afraid of. It panders to the minds of the uneducated and lower IQ among us. Teeny - care to weigh-in?
July 7, 2010 at 9:55 AM Report abuse
Hawkeye9909 said...
Are we really better off as a state after the least 8 years of Democratic control of the Blaine House and the Legislature? I don't know for sure what LePage will bring, but do I know we can't afford another 8 years of the "same old, same old".....
July 7, 2010 at 12:26 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
dimone...so you are the missing link we've been looking for......how about that VETO in Hawaii probably made your day....lol
July 7, 2010 at 2:04 PM Report abuse
Nietzsche said...
"so you are the missing link..." - - - - - - - - See what I mean?
July 7, 2010 at 2:13 PM Report abuse
frontjon said...
tenacity, Hawaii is a state... our federal government just extended protections for housing under HUD to gay folks. People like you are the reason they feel it necessary to do so. That applies to all states. And that trend will continue.
July 7, 2010 at 8:23 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
frontboy....the SCOTUS will see the mean and bigoted homosexuals for what they are....A group of like-minded individuals (just like NRA, MADD, KKK) who want special rights and have been manipulating politicians for years through lies,deceit and threats. So enjoy 'blowing' your money the end result is the repeal of the obamanations in MA, IA, CT, NH & VT. (some of these sooner than SCOTUS rulings!) November is going to be great!
July 7, 2010 at 11:04 PM Report abuse
AFVET said...
Ed + "the myth of global warming" that the Repub platform mentions. Scrib -- you can't teach Creationism in a science class. Science involves the observation and recording of replicable events. By definition. Tenacity, you repeat some ancient and wrong-headed ideas about evolution without even knowing what the word 'theory' means. And compulsive poster CommonNonsense, 'Hitlerite' is a nasty adjective. Look in the mirror. And see axEL, who believes that one can rule by hatred. He would repeal social security because he still has his mama's trust fund. He would negate VA benefits because he was never in uniform. And he would deny help to his neighbor's with their mortgages because his single-wide is paid for. There's the Republican agenda.
July 8, 2010 at 10:44 AM Report abuse