John Kerry speaks at Baldacci fundraiser

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Kerry, addressing about 125 people at the Sea Dog Restaurant in Bangor, said the Maine race for governor isn't just a state contest. "We're here today because we need to change the direction the country is headed," said Kerry, who in 2004 won Maine's four electoral votes but lost the election. "For years, we've had a wonderful partnership between the federal and state government, but that has been broken by what we have in Washington today."

Baldacci, a Bangor native who served four terms in U.S. House of Representatives, won the governorship in 2002 by defeating Republican Peter Cianchette of South Portland. He announced recently plans to seek re-election. "It's so important for me to get out and talk with people," Baldacci said. "I never got involved with politics for the office, I got involved so that I could do things for people, Maine people."

Kerry, before turning his thoughts to Baldacci, spent much of his time Saturday taking shots at the man who defeated him in the 2004 presidential election. "I better speak softly in case President Bush is listening," Kerry told the audience, which was made up of state representatives and local Democratic party supporters. "It's great to be in Maine, where the temperatures are actually lower than Bush's poll (numbers)."

Kerry, who has been said to be considering another run for the White House, has also put forth a plan to bring 20,000 troops home after the Dec. 15 elections in Iraq. The Bangor event was one of two scheduled Saturday to raise money for Baldacci's re-election. Guests paid $100, $250 or $500, according to Maine Democratic Party officials.
Jesse Connolly, who is running Baldacci's re-election campaign, said the governor hopes to raise $200,000 by the end of the year. Kerry and Baldacci were scheduled to appear at another fundraiser at the Samoset Resort in Rockport Saturday night.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2005/12/17/sen_john_kerry_speaks_at_baldacci_fundraiser/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+City+Weekly

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. Baldacci's a good man ......

An old college pal of mine, Lynn Kippax, is his chief spokesman. Kip's a good man, too.