BALDACCI’S PARTY

Gov. John Baldacci will easily win his primary race next week against challenger Christopher Miller of Gray. The question for Democrats is whether they should feel reassured or concerned by this inevitability. The answer is reassured – Gov. Baldacci has led Maine through some difficult times and in the process demonstrated an admirable doggedness and a talent for leadership.

In 2003, Gov. Baldacci left Washington after serving for eight years as the congressman for Maine’s 2nd District to begin his role as governor. What he saw at the state capitol was red ink. Buckets of it. The annual surpluses of the late ’90s were gone. The rainy day account was empty. The next budget was soon due and would need another $1.2 billion in fresh funds unless dramatic changes were made.

Gov. Baldacci led the way in making them. He was not alone in this achievement – legislators deserved credit then too – but he was the one the public turned to and he met the challenge. He has similarly fought to keep jobs at paper mills, was especially effective in fighting to keep Maine bases open in the last Base Realignment and Closure process and, after years of talk by previous administrations, he made Maine friendlier to business by successfully phasing out the business equipment tax.

These day-to-day battles sometimes had the effect of leaving the administration looking disorganized and defensive. On occasion, simply paying the state’s bills came at the sacrifice of larger policy goals. Especially early on, the administration had difficulty explaining what those goals might be.

One notable exception was the governor’s creation of Dirigo health, a visionary reform of the state’s health care system that aims to improve the quality of care while lowering its cost by finding efficiencies in the health-care system and using the savings to expand access. Not surprisingly, this idea has been bitterly resisted by organizations with an interest in the status quo, but it has been the kind of reform Maine has needed. Dirigo isn’t perfect, but its very boldness has changed the debate on health care in Maine.

Perhaps the most underrated aspect of the Baldacci administration has been its environmental record. Under his leadership, Maine has adopted a serious climate change plan, a comprehensive energy plan to reduce the need for foreign oil, adopted green building standards, reduced the amount of mercury and lead in the waste stream and began an electronic recycling program. In addition, the governor has conserved 761,000 acres of land, including adding Katahdin Lake to Baxter State Park, completing the vision of Gov. Percival Baxter.

Democrats should be pleased that Gov. Baldacci brings to this race his long career in government service, his achievements during his first term as governor and his ability to lead Maine. They will be well served by his campaign.