Money and messages

Here is the difference between gubernatorial candidates getting out their messages this year compared with 1994, and two groups that should be particularly concerned about it.

Four years ago, Republicans were worried that candidate Susan Collins was grossly underfunded at this point in the race because she had a mere $203,000 compared with Democratic candidate Joe Brennan’s $676,000. Today, the GOP’s Jim Longley has raised about $8,200 vs. Dem Tom Connolly’s $12,800, not counting loans.

Money isn’t everything in politics, but try running a successful campaign without it. The major-party candidates this year are taking in cash at approximately the rate that Green Party candidate Jonathan Carter did in ’94. Mr. Carter might offer them lessons on getting the most attention out of the fewest dollars. On the other hand, he lost by a lot to the current governor, Angus King, who spent enough per vote back then to grow Maine’s economy all by himself.

He probably won’t exude that kind of money this time, but by collecting $204,756 by mid-July he has the comforting ability to advertise heavily should his approval rating dip below 80 percent.

It is no mystery that money continues to roll into his campaign. Not only is Gov. King leading Maine during a prolonged economic expansion (for some parts of the state, anyway), but contributors tend to back the perceived winner. As important, the Angus King for Governor Finance Committee is a Who’s Who of erstwhile major-party moneybags. The independent governor has locked up the Democrats and Republicans who have traditionally led the financing of the parties.

The two groups that should be worried are party faithful, wondering whether their $25 donations would be wasted if sent to candidates in a race that most people have concluded is over; and the press, which is accustomed to receiving regular updates from the candidates about their activities.

Before party members look at the polls and put their checkbooks away, they might remember that even if their candidate is unlikely to prevail, he was elected through the primary to put forth the ideas of the party. Much like third-party candidates who alert voters to a particular issue, Mr. Connolly and former Rep. Longley also need support to present their parties’ visions for Maine.

Without money for statewide advertisements and with the governor in no mood for televised debates, the candidates will remain absent from the minds of voters until Election Day. The press can help voters by acting earlier than usual to describe who the candidates are and what makes them think they should be governor. Maine candidates may lack money but Maine itself does not lack issues that the candidates should be addressing.

And, who knows, voters might even respond positively to a low-budget, issues-oriented campaign.