Pingree won't run for U.S. Senate

[MaineDem]

Source: Portland Press Herald

WASHINGTON — Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said today she won't run for the U.S. Senate, a decision that could boost the independent Senate bid of former Gov. Angus King.

"This isn't the right time for me to run for the U.S. Senate," Pingree said today in a phone interview.
Pingree said that rather than pursue the seat now held by U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, a Republican who decided last week not to seek a fourth term, she will run for re-election to the 1st District House seat she first won in 2008.

Pingree's decision was not unexpected. After King said Monday night that he would run as an independent, Pingree acknowledged that she shared widely discussed concerns that she and King might divide the Democratic base, thus paving the way for victory by a Republican contender.

Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/news/Pingree-wont-run-for-US-Senate.html?cmpid=breaking-news-box

---

Say hello to an Independent Senator King.

[iandhr]

1. would King caucus with the Dems?

[MaineDem]

2. He won't say

And that's annoying as hell.

[TheWraith]

5. Didn't he say he wouldn't caucus with anyone? nt

[elleng]

15. Seems like the wise thing to say, now,

and diplomatic. Enables him honestly to solicit otherwise repug votes.

[kag]

3. That was also my question.

Anyone from Maine, is this good news? What is King like?

[MaineDem]

7. He's a social liberal

But he did support W in 2000 but then supported Kerry and Obama. His wife headed up Maine Women for Obama in '08 and had been a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood.

If he would pledge to caucus with the Dems he'd win in a landslide. Instead he's claiming he can be a swing vote depending on the issue. Not sure if he understands that committee assignments, etc. will depend on him being on one side or the other.

[kag]

16. Don't know much about Maine politics,

But I saw Pingree on Maddow, and thought she was pretty good. Gotta say, I'm a little disappointed.

[MaineDem]

17. I am, too.

But it's good she'll stay in the House.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. After our gubernatorial race debacle, this does not surprise me.

[FailureToCommunicate]

6. Gov. Angus King kinda reminds me of another professor from Bowdoin and Bates

Colleges...who went on to become a popular governor (after some time in the military)

[WI_DEM]

8. the problem is that King will hurt dems much more than the GOP

[MaineDem]

9. In what way? n/t

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. Couldn't his unwillingness to caucus with either upset the partisan balance in such a way

that the Democrats would be at a disadvantage? The Senate distribution of committee chairmanships is governed by the party in control.

I understand his strategy here: to appeal to Maine voters, he can't reveal who he would caucus with because Maine voters tend to view themselves as more independent.

[MaineDem]

11. I think so

I'd like him to answer the question as to whom he would vote for as Majority Leader. THAT would be very telling.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

13. Exactly. That could be devastating for the Dems if he chooses the wrong side.

[quispquake]

12. Smart move...

She's got a guaranteed re-election as rep, and with King now in the race in the Senate, she probably would have lost...or even worse, it could have ended like the Governor race where dipshit (R) got in with less than 40% of the vote as the liberal/progressive vote split between the Dem and Eliot Cutler...

King is well liked by most of Maine (Dems, Independents, and Republicans)...he did an awesome job with the budget while he was here...He's a bit middle of the road, but GETS SHIT DONE...which would be a welcome change...

[Auntie Bush]

14. Good as long as he doesn't betray democratic values and give in to the crazies.