Gov. Baldacci signs Reagan Day decree

AUGUSTA – Maine’s Democratic governor has signed a proclamation honoring the late President Ronald Reagan, an event marked by none of the acrimony that arose when the Republican’s name was invoked on the presidential campaign trail.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was assailed for his perceived praise last week of Reagan, who is reviled by many Democrats. Obama later complained that his comments on Jan. 14 were taken out of context by his Democratic opponents.

Less than a week earlier, Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed the fifth annual proclamation of Ronald Reagan Day on Feb. 6, which was Reagan’s birthday.

Spokeswoman Joy Leach says the first proclamation came the year Reagan died in 2004. She says there have never been any complaints.