To the Editor:

Angus King is, for sure, a decent, honorable, and well intended man. As governor, he is said to have done well by the state (although others may disagree).

And there is no question on any side that he is a consummate politician. Witness his support, in 1999, of the bikers’ demand to ride without helmets, “let the rider decide.” (I wonder how that would go today. Let the taxpayer decide? Let the sick one decide? Let the Keystone developer decide?)

His political shrewdness was shown most recently in the decision to run for the Senate after Snowe announced her retirement, and also in his call for other candidates to renounce PAC money on the morning after the primary elections.

Like a good (well, superb), poker player, he guards his options. We don’t know how he would caucus if elected to the Senate. We aren’t sure of his position on gun control. (He doesn’t think legislation would help). Women’s rights, gay marriage, the environment all surely must be in his mind, but how? We don’t know.

Is this the sort of person we need to take up the baton so proudly carried by Margaret Chase Smith and Olympia Snowe? Or do we need, must we have, a legislator? One who has an established record of support of the environment, an open stance on guns and ammunition, a proven effort for women’s rights, and one who consistently works for full and truly equal rights regardless of gender or sexual orientation?

Angus King has name recognition, in and outside our state. Also on his side, he has the tremendous fear of “another LePage,” that is, Charlie Summers, being elected. These are the concerns and values of a politician.

Cynthia Dill represents, and is a legislator, who listens, thinks and then acts in the best interest of those whom she represents. Lesser recognition, and fear, are challenges to be met, not hopeless barriers from which to flee.

Over the years to come, she will prove to be a worthy successor to those Maine women who have preceded her.

Richard K. Jennings
Brunswick