No Snow(e) in Maine

With the news that Senator Olympia Snowe is not going to seek re-election, Republicans will have a harder time wrangling the Senate from the hands of Majority Leader Harry Reid. With the only current Republican candidate in Mane talking about the President’s “muslism faith“, keeping Snowe’s seat looks like quite a challenge.

While Senator Snowe, and her junior colleague, frequently get bashed by “conservatives” for their willingness to compromise I believe that we should applaud both of their efforts in the Senate. I don’t think that I ever will agree with those who argue that a Republican in Maine always should take the same policy positions and govern the same way as a Republican in Alabama. In fact, I think such ideas remain wishful thinking when the realities in the different states are taken into account. Electing the same type of conservative Republican in Maine as in Alabama is not very likely considering the conditions on the ground. I will take a Republican Senator from Maine who votes with the Republican Party 80% of the time over a Democratic Senator from Maine who votes with the Republican Party 5% of the time.

Here is what the Republican national committeeman for Maine, Richard Bennett, had to say:

My reaction is one of surprise and sadness. Maine and America have benefited from Senator Snowe’s common sense, and her practical and responsible approach to politics and to policymaking. She has given much in her public service for decades and I respect her decision, knowing it was very difficult. But for everything there is a season and, along with thousands of other Mainers, I thank her for her service and wish her the best in the next chapter of her life.