Maine caucuses and JK. . .

[MBS]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/02/10/wintry_weather_greets_maine_democratic_caucus_goers/

AUGUSTA, Maine—Maine Democrats were met by some old fashioned New England weather as they headed to municipal caucuses Sunday to declare whether they favor Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as their party's presidential nominee.
. . . . .

While Maine's national delegate total is small, the state's voters drew plenty of attention from Clinton and Obama as their campaigns drew tighter after Super Tuesday.

Thousands of people packed the Bangor Auditorium to hear Obama on Saturday and hundreds more who weren't allowed in were greeted by the candidate as he arrived. Earlier in the day, people were also stopped at the door as Clinton held a town hall-style gathering about 10 miles away in at the University of Maine at Orono. Clinton later stopped in Lewiston.

Her daughter Chelsea and husband Bill also visited the state while Obama supporter Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts came to two Maine cities to campaign in the days leading up to the vote.

Both campaigns hit Maine heavily with radio and TV advertising, and even Sunday voters' homes were being called with pre-taped messages in support of both candidates. On Sunday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, were scheduled to visit Maine caucuses on Obama's behalf.

On Clinton's side, Maine Gov. John Baldacci, Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern and New York Rep. Gregory Meeks were to campaign. . . .

[mloutre]

1. From Bangor, all the way to Mighty Maine...

That's the thing about The Tall Guy, he doesn't do drive-by endorsements.

When he's in, he's *all* in.

[JI7]

2. i was wondering about this and glad to see it

i hope he continues campaigning in many areas.

[MBS]

3. they also mentioned JK's efforts on Meet the Press

. . that JK was calling superdelegates on behalf of Obama. . and, on a short bio of Obama on 60 minutes last night, they mentioned politicians campaigning for Obama, showing footage of Teddy and Caroline on the stage with Obama, and a shot of Kerry in a friendly chat with Obama backstage at some other event, and grinning from ear to ear. He's got a great smile :). And I love seeing him smile so often these days. He's walking the walk, the way he likes it. It looks good on him.
Go JK!

[StoryTeller]

6. I saw him on the 60 Minutes video

It was so cool. You know, I really like Obama, but I think JK will always be my political "first love." :)

[MBS]

8. yup, he'll always be my #1

in terms of character, integrity, depth, and selfless, gutsy patriotism, there's just no one who can match him.

[StoryTeller]

7. Dupe, sorry (NT)

[beachmom]

4. Here's another article about JK in Maine (w/ video):

http://www.politickerme.com/kerry-obama-can-lead-movement-844

Kerry: Obama can lead a movement

Four years later, U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is back. This time, however, he’s campaigning for someone else.

He spoke on behalf of Barack Obama for nearly a half-hour at the Bangor caucus Sunday. He told the crowd of more than 1,000 that Obama is someone who can lead a movement, and made references to historical leaders such as John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.

In contrasting Obama to rival Hillary Clinton, he responded to her two main criticisms. Inexperienced? Just look at his work in the Illinois Legislature, Kerry said. Young? Look at how old JFK, MLK and Bill Clinton were when they made a difference.

...

Kerry hasn’t forgotten the support Mainers gave him in 2004.

“You did everything except to move to Ohio,” he said.

He remembers one thing about Mainers.

“Nobody tells a Mainer how to vote,” Kerry said. “This is an independent minded state, with an independent group of Democrats. I came here with nothing but respect for that.”

[karynnj]

5. Wow - he is an advocate worth having

It has to help that among Democrats, his intelligence and integrity are mostly taken for granted. That's what matters for an endorsement.

[wisteria]

9. Thanks for posting this. I had just come across it myself. You beat me to it.

Some good pictures and a decent video. The older woman looks to be in tears over meeting Senator Kerry.

[beachmom]

10. You're right, Wisteria. That woman does have a very emotional look

on her face. Very touching.

[StoryTeller]

11. I know just how she feels. :) (n/t)