The Maine Blogscape
If for some strange reason the content here and at MainePolitics.net doesn't completely satisfy your need for online Maine political news and commentary, there is a large and growing list of blogs that might help fill that void.
Partisans
For those of the progressive persuasion the place to go is Turn Maine Blue, a left-leaning blog run by Gerald Weinand with supplementary posts from a host of others who stop by to contribute (I've posted there a few times). Like some of the larger national blogs, TMB allows anyone who wants to log in and post their own "diary" which can be promoted to the front page of the site. TMB was a popular spot during the Democratic primary in Maine's first congressional district when campaign staff and proxies often stopped by to praise their candidate or attack their opponents.
You can find a good list of liberal-leaning personal blogs written by Mainers in the sidebar of TMB, but few of them update often, and most are focused on national issues. LeftyBlogs also provides a handy list and RSS feed of these kinds of blogs.
On the conservative side of the internet, As Maine Goes is the center of political attention. It's a forum rather than a blog, but the site's editor, Scott Fish, also links to certain forum posts in a blog-like way. The site is a mix of Republican inside baseball, rants that could be transcripts of right-wing talk radio and outlandish conspiracy theories, all of which often coexists in the same thread. Posting privileges now appear to be limited to those invited by Fish.
Speaking of talk radio, conservative radio host Ray Richardson maintains his own blog - although the content is mostly audio clips promoting his show.
None of Maine's political parties have an official blog. The Democrats did start one a few years ago, but didn't keep it going. Mark Ellis, the chairman of the Maine GOP, writes a personal blog and the Oxford County Democrats host a blog on their website, which they recently used to solicit volunteers to help with local recounts.
Media
Some traditional media sources have also dipped their toes into political blogging. Susan Cover, political reporter at the Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel has been blogging consistently for over a year. Her colleagues at the Portland Press Herald, however, have been much less committed. As the pseudonymous media blogger TC Munjoy recently noted, their blog, Political Extra, hasn't been updated in weeks. The staff of the Portland Phoenix recently began a blog called About Town which has touched on some political issues.
Maine Political columnist Al Diamon writes two blogs here at Down East, although they focus mostly on issues other than politics.
PolitickerME is Maine's only professional web-only political outlet. The site features daily reporting from journalist Jessica Alaimo and commentary from "Wally Edge," an anonymous Maine political insider hiding behind the name of a New Jersey Governor who died in 1956.
Pine Tree Politics is a new site that seems to be attempting a similar model. They either have a content-sharing agreement with the Portland Press Herald or don't care too much about copyrights.
Rounding out the syndicated content from Maine's media is Maine Public Television, which podcasts the content of their weekly public affairs show MaineWatch.
Interest Groups
Several interest groups have also hopped on the blogging bandwagon. The Maine AFL-CIO blogged consistently throughout the recent election and still maintains their site. The staff at the Maine Heritage Policy Center blog regularly on economic issues, and the Natural Resources Council of Maine maintains a blog on their site as well.
Tony Payne, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Maine's Future, writes a blog called Speaking of Politics and Dennis Bailey, a one-man interest group and President of Savvy Incorporated blogs at his website Savvy Spin.
The Maine Center for Economic Policy provides a podcast of their weekly public affairs cable TV program State of the State.
Candidates
The recent election season saw several campaigns launch their own blogs. Chellie Pingree's website featured a regularly updated blog that has continued to be active after the election. The latest post announces an on-line sign-up for Mainers to win tickets to the Obama inauguration, a smart move that will likely greatly increase her email list.
Charlie Summers maintained a blog throughout the election as well as a series of youtube videos chronicling his attempt to work thirty jobs in thirty days (looks like he only made it through 18).
Susan Collins wrote a personal blog during the campaign, and hired web designer Lance Dutson (who blogs at Maine Web Report) to write a campaign blog and upload video updates from the hustings.
The Allen campaign never jumped on he blogging bandwagon, and clicking on the "blog" link on Mike Michaud's website brings you to a page that says "coming soon" even now, several weeks after election day.
The only candidate for the Maine legislature that I noticed blogging regularly during their race was Andrew O'Brien, who knocked off a Republican incumbent in District 44.
Office Holders
Seth Berry, a Democrat from Bowdoinham didn't blog much during the campaign but did take up the keyboard again after the election, most recently posting about his election as House Majority Whip.
Senators Snowe and Collins each post a weekly column on their websites, but no one would mistake them for blogs. Collins' congressional site also hosts a podcast of audio clips from the Senate.
Governor Baldacci doesn't blog, but his office does provide an RSS feed of their press releases.
If you know of a blog I've missed (and I'm sure there are plenty) feel free to drop me a line.
In other Maine political news this week…
- Budget cuts are the big story.
- Maine legislators are jockeying for good seats.
- GLAD wants equal marriage rights in Maine and the rest of New England by 2012.
- Chellie Pingree is settling into her new role as a congresswoman.
- Dean Scontras is back.
- Maine's representatives to the Electoral College will cast their votes on December 15th.
- Androscoggin County Commissioner Helen Poulin is refusing to give up her seat.
- Dr. Erik Steele diagnoses Maine's economy and prescribes health care reforms.
- The BDN looks at why Piscataquis was the only New England county to back McCain.
- The recounts are over. Deb Simpson can put away her knitting.
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2008 in Permalink
Reader Comments:
What? No mention of my Maine blog that has been around for 3 years now? Well, I never! Of course, I am a girl and the blogosphere doesn't give much credit to girl blogs as they should. Besides, my blog, WHITE NOISE INSANITY, hits too close to the heart of those who want to sweep the truth under the carpet.
http://whitenoiseinsanity.com/
Sen. Susan Collins and her campaign staff hated me and my blog, but then again, I did raise lots of issues about her voting record and other good stuff. It even got to the point where I was banned from her IT Director's (Lance Dutson) blog, Maine Web Report, for asking way too many pertinent questions about her voting record and her stand on the Iraq war!
But hey! I'm out here! *waving to the people of Maine & the blogosphere* Just thought I'd point this out. ;-)
Mr. Tipping,
Your statement that posting to asmainegoes.com is at the request of Mr. Fish is in error. He does ask that one send him an e-mail stating why one should be admitted to posting and requires a traceable e-mail address, but that's really not to much to ask is it?
He and I are diametrically opposed on many issues, as are others on the forum. It's that which makes the give and take interesting, in my opinion.
You might try it yourself sometime. You might discover something worthwhile.
charlie neville
207-229-5715
Just to confirm that the Phoenix's AboutTown blog (http://www.thePhoenix.com/AboutTown) is not a recent startup, but instead has been running since 2006. Thanks for the mention, though!
Jeff Inglis, managing editor, Portland Phoenix