Democrat Cynthia Dill Touted By Republicans In Maine

The GOP's Senate campaign committee took the unusual step Thursday of touting the press release of a Democrat.

In this case, it was a statement by Maine State Sen. Cynthia Dill, and the hope was to embarrass the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Dill is the Democrat in the race to replace retiring Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe (R), but the DSCC has not exactly embraced her campaign in a contest that is likely to be won by the independent candidate, former Gov. Angus King. Although King has not said as much, most observers expect him to caucus with Democrats, which, from the standpoint of party politics, would be a win for them.

So it was with a certain amount of relish that National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Brian Walsh highlighted a letter Dill sent to the head of the DSCC, Washington Sen. Patty Murray.

In it, Dill argued that she was the "true blue" candidate and that King has opposed some parts of the Democratic agenda.

"With this historic opportunity to turn Maine’s red seat blue and ensure a progressive agenda this November, the DSCC must not abandon its principles and supporters," Dill wrote in seeking a meeting with Murray.

GOP operatives give themselves only a slight chance of winning the seat, but if their nominee, Charlie Summers, is to have a chance, it would involve Dill taking enough votes from King.