Archives for Maine politics

Talk of the Towns 4/13/18

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Engineer: Amy Browne

Conversation with Douglas Rooks on Rise, Decline and Renewal: The Democratic Party in Maine, published by Hamilton Books, 2018

Key Discussion Points:
You begin your book with chapters on the Rise of the Democratic Party… what was so remarkable about Edmund Muskie’s election as governor in 1954?
Who was key to the rise of the democratic party and what were their key contributions (Coffin, Muskie, Curtis, Brennan)
In the meantime, what was happening in the Republican party and the role of independent candidates? (Longley, King, Cutler)
What internal factors led to the decline of the Democratic party in Maine…
What has been the effect of term limits on governance in Maine and the ability of either party to lead?
What hopes do you have for renewal? What can overcome the current state of politics in Maine? Review suggestions for Voting, Party, Legislative and Budget Reform (Chapter 9)

Guests: Douglas Rooks, journalist, author of Statesman: George Mitchell and the Art of the Possible in 2016; former editor, Maine Times, and editorial page editor, Kennebec Journal

Democracy Forum 11/17/17

Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters of Maine  
Engineer: Amy Browne

Ten Months In: Taking Stock in Maine

We’ll talk about what’s changed in Maine since the 2016 presidential election.
How have the policies of the new administration affected Maine politics and people?

Guests:
Hannah Pingree, a Democrat, former Speaker of the House in Maine, now co-host of the Maine Event on Maine Public television. pingree.com/
Josh Tardy, a Republican lobbyist and attorney who served as chair of the 2016 Trump campaign in Maine www.mitchelltardyjackson.com/about/

To learn more about this topic:
Tracking deregulation in the Trump era, from the Brookings Institution.
How Trump is helping to save our democracy, from the Washington Post
Stocks Are Up 20% Under Donald Trump. Can It Last? from the Wall Street Journal
Trump’s Trade Policy Is Lifting Exports. Of Canadian Lobster. from the New York Times
List of Cabinet positions and appointees in the Trump Administration

The all-volunteer team at the League of Women Voters – Downeast who plan and coordinate this series includes:

Starr Gilmartin
Maggie Harling
Linda Hoskins
Ann Luther
Maryann Ogonowski
Pam Person
Leah Taylor
Linda Washburn

FMI re League of Women Voters of Maine: www.lwvme.org