Job maker Brian Hamel, Republican, 2nd Congressional District

It must be his hundredth handshake of the day and it’s not even noon.

“Everything’s going according to plan,” Republican Brian Hamel said with a smile to a man who inquired about his campaign for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District seat during a recent electioneering stop in Belfast. “These next three weeks will be interesting. Keep an eye on me.”

Hamel likely shook a hundred more hands during his swing through Waldo County, a part of the state targeted by his campaign as a prime political quarry because of its GOP leanings.

Despite recent polls showing him trailing in his race against incumbent Democrat Michael Michaud, Hamel is confident voters in the economically struggling district will respond to his almost unrelenting focus on job creation. The central theme, he said, is bolstered by his own experience as a “professional job recruiter,” as described in his campaign commercials.

The head of the Loring Development Authority for 10 years until taking leave in March to run for office, Hamel has hammered home his message to voters: Under less than ideal circumstances, he led a team that brought 1,200 jobs to the former Air Force base in Limestone, more than replacing the 1,100 civilian jobs that were lost.

“I want people to have a good job and a chance at a career,” Hamel told a group of regulars drinking coffee in the back room of Weaver’s Bakery in Belfast’s busy downtown. “That’s what I bring to the table.”

As they often do, the Weaver’s regulars, mostly retired men, brought some of their own ideas to the table.

“You’ve got to go down to Congress and say you’re going to take 50 laws off the books, not put 50 on,” said Walter Wagner, a 60-year-old semiretired lobsterman after complaining of inconsistencies in fishing regulations. “Now that would be something.”

Hamel has said he will serve on the House agriculture committee, which, as part of its duties, considers fishing rules. At campaign stops, Hamel sometimes chides Michaud for not opting to serve on the committee, which Hamel says is vital to the rural 2nd District.

Hamel, 46, often likens the race against Michaud to a marathon, of which he has run 11. While Michaud might have an early advantage, Hamel’s aides say, their candidate has the staying power and consistent message needed to prevail in the district.

In spreading that message, the minivan in which Hamel rides has amassed 5,000 to 6,000 miles a month, according to his driver, who pulls double duty passing out pamphlets to voters in the district’s 402 cities, towns and townships.

Republican analyst Douglas Hodgkin said one city Hamel can’t afford to ignore during the campaign is Lewiston, despite its Democratic reputation.

While Hamel, or any other Republican, is unlikely to win in the city, coming closer than people expect goes a long way toward winning the congressional seat, said Hodgkin, a professor emeritus at Bates College.

“If there’s one thing we learned from Bill Cohen, it’s don’t ignore Lewiston,” Hodgkin said, concerned with the campaign’s decision to not yet advertise in the Portland television market, which, although more expensive, reaches Lewiston. “Democrats here are much more conservative than Democrats in other places.”

Ben Golnik, Hamel’s campaign manager, said he expected the Lewiston area ads to begin soon, and noted that Hamel has visited the area “a ton” and has several more trips planned.

Like most challengers, Hamel doesn’t have the name recognition that Michaud has developed as a longtime state lawmaker and sitting congressman. But Hamel’s recent swing through Waldo County suggested he is making progress.

Many of the residents Hamel encountered had heard of him, with some citing his rather quirky commercial, which features a memorable clip of Hamel wincing as he tries to tune a guitar.

And for one man who hadn’t heard of him, Hamel’s message seemed to overcome the unfamiliarity.

“I want to put more money in your pocket,” Hamel told him during a stop at the Belfast area YMCA.

“Sounds good to me,” the man answered.

On the Net: www.hamelforcongress.com.

Hamel on the issues:

Iraq War-terrorism: Supports the invasion of Iraq. Would have supported the $87 billion supplemental budget for the war.

Abortion rights: Does not support a constitutional amendment to Roe v. Wade. Would have voted for a ban on partial birth abortion. Would have voted for the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, also known as the ?Laci Peterson Law,? which made it a federal crime to kill an unborn child. Supports parental notification.

Economy-taxes: Supports the North American Free Trade Agreement. Supports Bush tax cuts.

Health care: Would have voted for the Medicare prescription drug bill. Supports the importation of prescription drugs from Canada, as long as ?safety concerns? are addressed.