Angus Clears the Field

Ten days ago when Olympia Snowe announced she will no longer be seeking reelection to her Senate seat politicians from the left and right made known their interest in running for the seat. This has all apparently changed with the announcement that Angus King would be running as an Independent.

First Mike Michaud pulled out though to be fair he did so before it was confirmed that King was running. More recently Chellie Pingree, the darling of the Progressive's and a close friend of King's announced that she would not run after all, and would attempt reelection for her seat in the House.

What happened. A few things. First of all a seat in the house as an incumbent is a pretty valuable thing. Michaud will have a hard race against Kevin Raye but Chellie Pingree is pretty much assured reelection in the liberal first district.

Secondly between King's winning election as Governor twice as an Independent and the split vote between Libby Mitchell and Elliott Cutler planting Paul LePage as Governor it seems clear that the Democrats have learned their lessons. That being a King in the Senate is better than a LePage in the Governor's mansion. It is rumored that the Democratic National Committee had urged Pingree to retain her seat in the House rather than risk the aforementioned vote split.

King is now the prohibitive favorite. John Baldacci may still run but my guess is he will not, he understands that King is more popular than him and no Democrat wants to be responsible for losing this seat. It is thought that King will most likely caucus with the Democrats and it is assured that, especially if his choice of caucus is a decider in what party controls the Senate, rest assured he will be able to gain something for Maine.

Angus King for Senate. This should be good for all of us.