U.S. Rep. Olympia J. Snowe, seeking her seventh term representing the 2nd District, on Tuesday made the first Bangor street tour of her campaign.

Making it well known that she was finally back from the lengthy budget deliberations in Washington, Snowe garnered numerous expressions of support as she stopped in various businesses, greeted passers-by, and spoke to restaurant patrons.

When asked about their campaign impressions, most people didn’t have much to say about the race between Snowe and her opponent, state Rep. Patrick K. McGowan. Instead, they said they didn’t like the tone of the gubernatorial campaign, and didn’t think the incumbency issue would make a big difference in Maine.

Over his bagel and coffee, Michael Duke of Bangor said there was “too much back-stabbing” in this year’s campaign.

A Glenburn woman who declined to give her name said that “(U.S. Rep. Joseph E.) Brennan started a dirty, mudslinging campaign, and (Gov. John R.) Mckernan has risen to the same.” The woman had equally strong views on returning incumbents to Congress.

“I don’t think (incumbency) will be an issue,” she said, standing on Main Street. “When people actually go to the polls, they’ll vote for whoever they trust.”

Snowe, who has made other campaign appearances in the area, was accompanied par of the day by state Senate candidate N. Laurence Willey.

The congresswoman started the day with a stop at Eastern Fine Paper, a fund-raising breakfast at a local restaurant, followed by a television interview, her walk down Bangor’s Main Street, and a visit to the Bangor House. She was expected to end the day with a trip to the Georgia-Pacific mill gate in Millinocket.

McGowan, in a recent press release, criticized Snowe for her vote against Congress’ budget package, calling her “Rep. No” and saying she had “demonstrated her unwillingness to work towards solving the budget problem”

Responding that McGowan was “just desperate,” Snowe dismissed the Democrat’s comments, pointing out that three out of four Maine delegation members voted against the package. Only U.S. Sen. George J. Mitchell favored the budget bill.

Don Nathan, Snowe’s press secretary, also dismissed a Central Maine Morning Sentinel poll showing that McGowan was ahead of Snowe, 52 percent to 40 percent with 8 percent undecided. The newspaper sample consisted of 50 telephone calls.

“It’s ludicrous to call this a poll,” said Nathan, adding that it had “nothing to do with the real world.”

On Main Street, Snowe wasn’t the only one seeking support. An out-of-work Pentecostal minister whoe wife recently died asked for help finding a job and a place to live. The congresswoman directed him to her Bangor office, where staff members were able to help him.

A young man who said he had lived in a number of homeless shelters also had a suggestion for Snowe. He suggested that shelters and local business people work together to give homeless people temporary work.

“An excellent idea,” responded Snowe.