6/11/2008 - U.S. House & Senate Candidates Come Together to Rally for 2008 Democratic Ticket
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Rebecca Pollard
207-772-4353
rpollard@mainedems.org
U.S. HOUSE AND SENATE CANDIDATES COME TOGETHER TO RALLY FOR 2008 DEMOCRATIC TICKET
(PORTLAND, MAINE) – Just one day after Maine’s Primary Election, all of the Democratic candidates for U. S. House and Senate said they will rally their supporters behind the respective winners and work together to defeat their opponents in November to bring about the kind of sweeping change the nation so desperately needs.
Too much is at stake, they agreed, to let any differences during the primary
stand in the way of making sure Maine does its part to elect Democrats who will
end the war in Iraq, provide universal access to health care, and focus on middle-class
economic priorities, such as gas prices and college affordability.
They agreed that Senator Susan Collins has been a strong advocate for Bush Administration policies (81 percent of of the time), and that Tom Allen must win her seat in order to reach a working majority in the U.S. Senate.
“I am excited to join all Maine Democrats – and to bring Republicans and Independents along with us – to bring the change we so desperately need to Maine and our nation,” Allen said. “Our next president, Barack Obama, will need a working majority in the U.S. Senate so that Republicans will no longer be able to throw up roadblocks to change. Starting right here in Maine with my race, we can help give them majority.”
All of the candidates agreed that Maine’s 1st Congressional District must remain Democratic, by electing last night’s winner, Chellie Pingree.
“Maine people know this is the most important election of our lifetime. They’ve demonstrated that with record turnout at the Democratic Caucus, and again by their overwhelming interest in this congressional race,” Pingree said. “This was a very talented field of candidates, and I’m honored to have been chosen to represent Democratic voters and move onto a big victory in November.”
Peter Chandler, Campaign Manager of Victory 2008, the campaign arm of the Maine Democratic Party (MDP), discussed the ground operation his organization has put in place to elect Democrats up and down the ticket in November. He said the Coordinated Campaign already has 40 paid staffers, 14 offices open statewide, and 1,100 volunteers who are making phone calls to the tune of 25,000 or more a week—and it’s only June.
“This is Maine’s ‘Team for Change’ in 2008, and I have no doubt that change is what they will bring—and isn’t it about time?” he said.
