Dark GOP cloud hangs over Maine election

This year’s Republican rhetoric has become rather disheartening. They pose questions like “Wouldn’t it be nice if Maine were like the rest of the country?” as if they have the answer.

The answer to their question, by the way, is clear. No. Nor do they have an answer.

It saddens me to hear such bitter and uninviting pessimism coming from this beautiful state. Maine is unique, and much like New Mexico, should not be forced into a comparison with other states that are themselves unique.

Maine GOP’ers may as well be comparing the weather in Maine to that in New Mexico. The fact is the only dark clouds I see on the horizon are coming from partisan rhetoric.

Gov. John Baldacci, a friend, colleague, lifelong Mainer and a dedicated public servant, brings Maine values and hard work to the Blaine House. When Gov. Baldacci took office, in 2002 he inherited a $1.2 billion budget deficit. The first day on the job John Baldacci sat down with Republicans and Democrats and made some very tough decisions. After four years of diligent toil it was reported that, in accordance to your state’s constitution, Maine once again had a balanced budget. In fact, thanks to Gov. Baldacci’s leadership, a once depleted rainy day fund surplus has been turned into nearly $150 million in cash reserves. This is an important benchmark that every credit rating agency and bond house looks for in state finances.

I am tired of hearing the same Republican partisan idioms – “doom and gloom.” It’s as if negativity is necessary for them to be in public service. Unfortunately, this is the same pessimistic outlook we see from Republicans everywhere. Even in New Mexico these tactics have cast harmful black clouds across our business climate that have the potential to drive business away.

As our states’ leaders, we understand there will be inevitable criticism, but we will not shy away from our record. The Bush administration’s reckless policies have forced Gov. Baldacci and I to make tough decisions. We have continually sought to build consensus that reflect shared values and the people’s interest.

Your governor has accomplished a lot in the last four years. More Mainers have access to affordable heath care than ever before, job numbers are on the rise and your state is stronger and more competitive than in years past.

And, like me, Gov. Baldacci knows there is more to do. Not all working people have affordable high quality health care, too many young people don’t have access to higher education, our environment is constantly threatened by polluters and too many people work too hard for too little. We know this and from the governor on down, Democrats in our states are working hard to improve these conditions.

But rather than agree that Maine has made obvious progress – progress that they had a hand in – Chandler Woodcock and the Republican leadership have decided to go negative. They have chosen to distort the data to make your state look bad when compared to the rest of the country. Their focus on negative bullet points doesn’t paint the whole picture, and is an unfortunate attempt at playing politics with Maine’s good name.

It distresses me that they have pegged their campaign strategy on seeing Maine fail. Republicans seem to cheer reports that show Maine in a poor light and they greet good news by attacking the governor.

If there is a dark cloud over this election, it is in the shape of a GOP elephant.

They have undermined the good work that has been done over the last few years with their doom-and-gloom bad-mouthing of this state – and we can expect more of the same leading up to this election.

Leadership is more than providing spicy sound bites for pundits. It is about developing and executing a workable plan. Clearly Maine Republicans aren’t ready to lead – and won’t be ready any time soon – until they stop attacking Maine businesses and start championing the good things in Maine.

So I ask another question. Wouldn’t it be nice if legislators, like Chandler Woodcock, were able to put aside their partisan blinders and join Democrats as they help grow the economy, increase access to affordable health care and open doors to quality education for everyone?