Phil: Last week we enticed readers by promising to opine on the 2nd Congressional District race between Emily Cain and Bruce Poliquin.

Ethan: May I remind you that the race is between Cain, Poliquin and former Republican-turned-independent Blaine Richardson?

Phil: Ah, yes, Blaine “I am doing everything I can to elect Emily Cain, even though I detest all that she would vote for in Washington” Richardson.

Ethan: How quickly the worm turns. Two years ago, he’s a Republican hero. Now, a traitor to the cause. I cannot believe that Bruce actually called him to get him to get out of the race. Politics 101 is the candidate never makes this call until he is certain that it will be successful.

Phil: With Bruce Poliquin, Politics 101 is in the rearview mirror. With the metabolism of a hummingbird, it’s likely he was too impatient for any touchy-feely stuff behind the scenes that campaigns usually use. Bruce understands that with Richardson staying in the race, northern Maine could well be represented by the most left-wing liberal we have ever seen – even more liberal than the most recent holders of the seat, John Baldacci and Mike Michaud.

Ethan: And on the flip side, if Poliquin wins, we’ll be represented by the most right-wing conservative Maine has ever seen. From Margaret Chase Smith to Bill Cohen to Olympia Snowe, this seat has never had a Republican as far out of the mainstream as Poliquin.

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Phil: What’s your take on how the campaigns are positioned going into the final months?

Ethan: Poliquin has out-fundraised Cain by almost 2-1 since primary day and is showing himself to be a ferocious campaigner; however, all the polls I have seen show her in the lead. Before the race started, I definitely would have picked Emily against Poliquin, and today, I still give her the edge.

Phil: I noticed that some of the national groups have picked up on her, and she even did a photo spread for Elle magazine! She better be careful to focus on the race and not her own personal celebrity. She already has a reputation for enjoying the spotlight more than the grueling work of campaigning, and moments like this play right into that image.

Ethan: I am quite sure Emily believes in the work. Perhaps the photo shoot wasn’t the best idea, but I imagine it did/will help her raise money.

Phil: Yeah, from people from everywhere but northern Maine. Speaking of which, do you think her being from New Jersey is going to be a factor in the race?

Ethan: No more than Poliquin being from the 1st Congressional District. Or Angus being from Virginia. Or Chellie from Minnesota. Voters will chose the person with whom they best connect. Emily has a very good way of making you feel like she has lived down the street your entire life.

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Phil: For me, the key to who wins will be the contrast between Poliquin’s private-sector job creation and tackling difficult problems as state treasurer versus Cain’s background working for the University of Maine and as a legislator.

Ethan: For me, it will be their values. Who will better represent the average everyday person in how they vote? Although Cain is left of center, she is certainly closer to the 2nd CD values than Bruce in terms of choice, equality, minimum wage, education and the environment.

Phil: Perhaps. But Bruce is closer to their values in terms of government spending, taxes, guns, immigration and welfare.

Ethan: Poliquin’s biggest problem is the perception (perhaps reality) that he is not seen as someone who works with the other side. As Kennebec Journal reporter Michael Shepherd recently pointed out, this seat has long been seen as one of compromise and moderation. These have never been qualities Poliquin has demonstrated. On the other hand, Emily even worked with Gov. LePage to pass domestic violence legislation.

Phil: Now tell me about a Republican issue that Emily went against her party to pass.

Ethan: The LePage tax cuts and pension reform.

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Phil: You mean the pension reform Bruce authored that saved the state hundreds of millions and the tax cuts that eliminated income taxes for 30,000 low-income Mainers. Boy, she was really going out on a limb there with her compromise! More like CYA with the voters.

Ethan: Call it what you will – at least she reached across the aisle and was willing to join a Republican initiative. Can you name a single issue in which Bruce did the same?

Phil: Tell me, why is it that when Democrats support a Republican bill, one of which Bruce actually initiated, this is an example of “Democratic bipartisanship”? If he wrote the bill that brought Democrats into the tent, isn’t Bruce the one truly willing to reach across the aisle?

Ethan: Reaching across the aisle means you both bring people into the tent and you are willing to step away from your party. Emily has demonstrated both, but Bruce simply can’t get enough of that Tea.

Phil: Well, at least he ain’t drinking from that Liberal Cup.


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