Chellie Pingree Is Object Of Progressive Draft Effort In Maine

A group of progressives is already trying to draft a replacement for retiring Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine).

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee, in an email to members on Tuesday, attempted to line up backers for Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine):

Chellie Pingree took on corporate money in politics as the head of Common Cause and then helped lead the fight for public funding of campaigns in Congress. She also worked hand-in-hand with us in the fight for a public health insurance option.

Last year, we helped draft Elizabeth Warren for Senate by showing her how much support she'd have. Chellie Pingree's bold progressive voice in the Senate would be a huge shift -- and she'd be a great ally of Elizabeth Warren!

Snowe announced she would step down at the end of her third term Tuesday, citing the hyper-partisan atmosphere in Washington as a reason.

Comments

[HopeWFaith]

10:14 AM on 03/03/2012

There are enough vague potential candidates in Maine to cause a real problem, men who are not dedicated to solidly progressive, logical policies for the state or for the country. Pingree looks like the one woman who could readily represent the logical, practical, healthy policies that would bring the state and the nation forward. She has no blue dog blood that I can find, so far. The last thing we need in the Senate is just another vague or blue dog candidate. Either be committed to bringing jobs back and creating a healthy nation, or go away. No More Blue Dogs. No more catering to the filthy rich.

Go Chellie!

[Bon1042]

12:37 AM on 03/05/2012

or as Russ Feingold calls them, "coroprate democrats." He said he's co-chair of Obama's 2012 campaign. What does that mean, is it just to draw real progressives back in for support, what will Feingold do to push him. I'm so depressed that Obama is just waiting 'til after election, if he wins, to approve Keystone XL II. Media is totally blacked out on oil spills and gas leaks and explosions fm hydraulic fracturing. Now EPA has to truck clean drinkable, usable water to people in Dimmock, PA, in Marcellus Shale area. Cabot Nat Gas has nerve to say they're not causing the problem. PA friends on Facebook are livid, posting incidents of problems frequently.

[Rixar13]

11:19 PM on 02/29/2012

"A group of progressives is already trying to draft a replacement for retiring Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)."

Thumbs up ^....

[Randolph Greer]

06:46 PM on 02/29/2012

Olympia Snowe did real damage to this country last year through her willingness to go along with the Republicans in their fillibusters. And her retirement clears the way for the people of Maine to have a clear choice in the election. The people of Maine will now be just as lucky as the people of Massachusetts.

[Sarah O'Leary]

11:31 AM on 02/29/2012

Why do I love Sen. Olympia Snowe so?? Because she was an American Maine-r first and foremost. I don't know what religion she practices, but I know she cares deeply about our more perfect Union. She was not a party member first, second or even third. Instead, she voted her conscious. How sad is it that she's the exception, not the rule! DON'T GO, SNOWE! We need more like you, not less!

[Bon1042]

09:32 PM on 03/01/2012

how cld she justify voting against the head of the Fed Consumer Protection Agency? Was she one of those who thought he wld have too much sweeping power..... on behalf of the citizenry??

[Patriot86]

09:15 AM on 02/29/2012

Snowe is retiring...she knows the GOP jig is up. I hope and expect Collins to lose as well.

[Bon1042]

09:39 PM on 03/01/2012

I hope so, Collins' , MSNBC showed her speaking on floor of Senate yesterday supporting the Blunt Amendment, claiming violation of religious freedom argument I guess, they didn't show her whole speech. I watched the MPBN doc on Margaret Chase Smith a couple of times. A retired poli sci professor, I think it was, not sure, was asked for his opinion of Maine senators and when asked about Collins... he paused and said... "she wants to be a second Margaret Chase Smith", I thought in a rather bemused manner. Maybe not.

I've just retired and moved back to Maine 2 yrs ago, grew up in Augusta. Are there any chances for Democrats to defeat Susan Collins? Given the political climate and I wld think a majority negative on LePage, shldn't it be pretty easy for a Democrat, (not a corporate democrat, as Feingold points out) but a fairly or real progressive to get elected.

And one who doesn't take money fm the filthy fossil fuel industry. I have in mind Keystone XL II and the destruction that hydraulic fracturing is doing in parts of the cntry, particularly the Marcellus Shale area. The EPA now has to truck in clean water to the people of Dimmock, PA.

[Patriot86]

06:44 AM on 03/02/2012

I worry about that too as fracking is getting big in Nothern Ohio.

[Bon1042]

09:45 PM on 03/01/2012

... me too

[Patriot86]

06:42 AM on 03/02/2012

The govern of Maine who was elected with about 30 % of the vote is despised that will help.

[TexianLife]

08:46 AM on 02/29/2012

We just have to keep the cons/baggers from getting elected....the only work they do is when they are attacking the citizens by taking away our rights & freedoms.
Olympia Snowe was a good republican, I don't blame her for wanting to leave.

[Devin Garner]

08:24 AM on 02/29/2012

I always thought Olympia Snowe was a reasonable voice in the GOP. They will miss her and so will we. Thank you for your service madam.

[Patriot86]

09:15 AM on 02/29/2012

I won't miss her...she ruined health care and the stimulus.

[Bon1042]

09:40 PM on 03/01/2012

and she also voted against Fed Consumer Protection Agency appointee??!!

[jonme]

07:18 AM on 02/29/2012

I am a Chellie Pingree fan and have always voted for her and I am not disappointed....

[Bon1042]

09:44 PM on 03/01/2012

I hope she doesn't take money fm the filthy fossil fuel industry. I wld want her to fight like H against Keystone XL II and force Am Nat Gas to admit that hydraulic fracturing IS the reason why Cabot Nat Gas is making a mess of the lives of people in Pennsylvania. Now EPA has to truck clean drinkable water into Dimmock, PA. Obama probably intends to sign off on Keystone XL II. Interesting Bill Clinton spoke yesterday to energy group and approves of pipeline. (never cld stand him). A lobbyist for Trans Canada Tarsands Oil was a campaign director for Hillary when she ran in '08.

[Bon1042]

09:51 PM on 03/01/2012

BTW, just to be clear, I am a recent retiree 2 yrs ago and moved back to Maine, grew up in Augusta, now in Bangor. Nothing else means much to me now other than the issues of the Keystone XL II pipeline and hydraulic fracturing, "fracking." Look where the pipelines MIGHT eventually go. I won't live to see it even if I live another healthy 20 yrs I hope...

http://vimeo.com/27902739

[David Andrew Clark]

06:08 AM on 02/29/2012

Liked the "Also on Huffpost" video

[RC NY]

05:25 AM on 02/29/2012

Estimates show that members of #Congress spend anywhere between 25 to 50 percent of their time campaign fundraising while in session. Sign the petition to end the madness.

http://signon.org/sign/end-fundraising-while

[kimbanyc]

06:01 AM on 02/29/2012

done, thanks

fanned from nyc

[TexianLife]

08:43 AM on 02/29/2012

I signed it.
Congress is either fundraising or on vacation....there's little time to accomplish anything even when they decide to actually work.

[Jason1953]

01:15 AM on 02/29/2012

Pingree sounds like a good choice. As long as a Democrat wins, all is well.

[MajPearson]

12:00 AM on 02/29/2012

I'm not a fan of Chellie Pingree, to be honest. I'd much prefer it if Michaud were to run.

[Bon1042]

10:24 PM on 03/01/2012

O.K. but why do you object to Pingree?? I prefer her tho I like Michaud. I got impression he was more of a "blue dog" democrat, buying into the phony frustrating split created by cultural politics of last 40 yrs which says, "I'm a social liberal but a fiscal conservative." which is code for right wing manipulation of wedge politics, spending only means you're spending too much when it supports the social safety net and programs providing more equal economic opportunity. They don't mind if its 2 wars off budget, not including the cost in budgeting, a prescription drug program not paid for which was a windfall for the pharmaceutical industry.

[swift goat pet for truth]

11:18 PM on 02/28/2012

Maine has taken a good look at their current governor. 

I hope the Dem has a chance.

[Tony Gagliano]

11:16 PM on 02/28/2012

Olympia Snowe as a moderate Republican has become a dinosaur in politics. I guess you can call Susan Collins Uncas ( The Last of the Mohegans).

[Freddie27]

10:42 PM on 02/28/2012

When I heard Olympia was retiring, I thought of Chellie Pingree immediately.