Governor Eliot Cutler?

I got annoyed this week because a Democratic official called Eliot Cutler the Ralph Nader of the gubernatorial race. The comment was annoying because I am registered Democrat, haven’t made up my mind up yet and like having choices. Cutler, Independent candidate for Governor, was urged to drop out of the race so that he would not “spoil” Democrat Elizabeth (“Libby”) Mitchell’s chances of election. The assumption is that anyone who doesn’t vote for Cutler will vote for Mitchell.

Someone needs to text message the Mitchell campaign and let them know they have bigger problems than Cutler. Even Democrats must realize that this is not the year to run on their platform. Mitchell has pledged to create a new state agency to assist residents in cutting through red tape of other state agencies. Can someone give Mitchell a head’s up so she won’t need smelling salts the night of November 2nd? She’s a fine person who has the unfortunate luck of being a career politician in a year when career politicians are in danger of being forced into finding other careers.

Cutler may very well put on a late surge. Do the names Governor James Longley and Governor Angus King ring a bell? Both ran as Independents. Longley’s win in 1974 was particularly shocking to the political establishment.

LePage is already in danger of losing supporters. Some may be squirming about his outburst at the press conference about his wife’s claim for two homestead exemptions. His base won’t abandon him over flaps of this sort. But for the undecided people who are thinking of voting for LePage, some advice: when a candidate starts to make you wonder, it’s time to do your homework. LePage appears to be such a maverick that it is easy to forget he has the Republican nomination. Some Republicans may find themselves unable to cast a vote his way.

Voters who think a career politician can’t win the Blaine House this year – including Democrats - may vote for Cutler out of fear that LePage may be elected.

Cutler stands to attract voters from both major parties who cannot support their standard-bearers this year. The volume of people who abandon their party roots will determine the winner.

So, voters, go ahead and cast your vote for the person you want to see running the State of Maine. Don’t be influenced by the Democrats who are mad at Eliot Cutler and who tell you your vote will be wasted on an Independent. He who polls poorly today may finish first.