BANGOR – The Bush campaign played to its strengths Monday, opening its state headquarters here – the center of the northern Maine congressional district it found most receptive four years ago.

The move was a departure from its 2000 strategy of running its operation from Maine’s largest city, Portland, where Bush’s lopsided defeat helped put a southern Maine victory – and a chance at the state’s four Electoral College votes – well out of reach.

“Obviously the 2nd District is incredibly important,” Peter Cianchette, chairman of Bush’s Maine campaign, said at the opening of the Bangor headquarters at 16 Penn Plaza. “If this election is close, certainly every single Electoral College vote could make a difference.”

Maine is unusual in that it can split its electoral votes. While the winner of the statewide popular vote wins two electoral votes, the winner in each of Maine’s two congressional districts receives one, making possible a 3-1 split.

Only Nebraska has a similar system. In other states, the winner of the popular vote claims all the state’s Electoral College votes.

But Bush campaign officials made it clear Monday they would not concede Democratic-leaning southern Maine in hopes of picking up a lone electoral delegate from the north.

“I can assure you that the president … is absolutely committed to winning the entire state of Maine,” said Cianchette, noting plans to open what one campaign aide called a “satellite office” in Portland in the coming months.

“Republicans can win in the 1st District,” added Cianchette, citing his victory there – albeit slim – when running for governor in 2002 against Democrat John Baldacci, whose trouncing of Cianchette in northern Maine sealed Baldacci’s victory.

Making Bangor the campaign’s hub is a sound strategy, analysts say, sending a clear message that the Bush camp knows its strengths – and weaknesses.

“Clearly they believe the 2nd District is much more competitive than the 1st [District],” said Richard Powell, a University of Maine political science professor.

While Bush lost in southern Maine by more than 27,000 votes in 2000, he came much closer in northern Maine, losing by only 5,600 votes.

Redistricting however could complicate Bush’s task in the northern district, which this year added the Democratic stronghold of Waterville, where Bush lost by 2 to 1.

Applying the 2000 returns to the redrawn boundaries, Bush would have lost the 2nd District to Democrat Al Gore by more than 9,000 votes, while inching closer in southern Maine.

Dottie Melanson, chairwoman of the Maine Democratic Party, said Monday she expected a close race in 2004, but a similar outcome – one favoring her party’s presumptive nominee, Sen. John Kerry.

“We both fought very hard for the 2nd District and we won,” Melanson said of the 2000 race, the final week of which brought visits to Bangor from Bush and Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Lieberman. “This time, it’s going to be all about the 2nd District again.”