I cannot believe that some of my fellow Mainers are trying to support the belief that Sarah Palin is the best choice that could have been made by their fellow Republicans as the VP choice. How bizarre it is that Mainers have a sitting senator with over 30 years’ experience of being a maverick and was completely overlooked as their choice, and they say Palin is the best choice? Would Palin have been chosen with such a flimsy resume if she were male? So she was chosen as the best female available. … right, supporters of Olympia Snowe?

So it seems as if this choice is a slap in the face to every Mainer, Republican or Democrat, who has ever supported Olympia. Why wasn’t Olympia chosen? The answer is not that she is less qualified (quite the opposite), but rather Palin is such a radical right-winger that does not reflect the opinions of mainstream Mainers. So when you look at Palin next time in the photo-ops she poses for (no interviews, please), all of us mainstream Mainers want to say to her, “Sarah, I know Olympia. I’ve elected her to many terms in Congress and the Senate, and no, Sarah, you’re no Olympia.” Not even close.

Bob Blanchard

Presque Isle