An issue much more likely to resonate with the electorate is that Allen didn’t do enough to win Navy shipbuilding contracts for Bath Iron Works, because he no longer sits on the House Armed Services Committee. Collins has repeatedly accused her opponent of allowing his fellow representatives to gut the budget for a new class of destroyers called the DDG-1000. Allen has said BIW would have plenty of work constructing an older style of ship called the DDG-51, although even the most math-challenged among us can see the DDG-1000 must be way better than the DDG-51 or it wouldn’t have a higher number. In any case, the Navy has now decided it wants to build both kinds of ships, thereby giving it the strongest possible protection from whoever wins the Senate race.
Allen and Collins have other crucial differences, although whenever I try to think about them, I get really, really sleepy. I think there’s something about whether we should get out of Iraq in a big hurry (Allen) or a small hurry (Collins). They also may disagree over whether there should be an open hunting season on oil company executives (him) or whether there should be a bag limit of two per day (her). He’s going to his party’s national convention (photo op with Obama is worth five points in the polls). She’s not going to her party’s national convention (photo op with Cheney is worth ... well, you know). He has extensive proposals dealing with all the policy-wonk aspects of Internet access, energy, health care, and education. She has a paper shredder. He has good hair. She has a paper shredder.
I’m sure that has nothing to do with the apparent absence of her sex life.
If you spot naked pols, e-mail me photos at aldiamon@herniahill.net.
Related:
The gulf of Maine, Bad words and warnings, D.C. wannabes, More 
- The gulf of Maine
With a massively unpopular Republican president leaving office, this year’s Senate election is a contest based on a candidate’s alignment with Bush.
- Bad words and warnings
And now, a few positive words about negative advertising.
- D.C. wannabes
Already some candidates have come and gone, but the field remains wide open as candidates prepare for the June 2008 primaries.
- The outsiders
Just a few months ago, the story-line of Maine’s 2008 US Senate race seemed inevitable.
- Twist in my story
This is a cautionary tale about people who don’t know what they’re talking about.
- Angst by numbers
Could hordes of illegal aliens decide Maine’s gubernatorial election?
- Endorsements, or lack thereof
The Phoenix makes no endorsement for the United States Senate. Neither Republican Susan Collins, the incumbent, nor Democratic challenger Tom Allen would agree to talk with this paper.
- Letters to the Portland editor: April 13, 2007
Here in the 2nd Congressional District we will be proud to call Tom Allen our US senator should he decide to undertake a campaign to defeat Susan Collins in 2008.
- This could be a possibility
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column about Democratic state Senator Ethan Strimling of Portland and his plans to run for the 1st Congressional District seat in 2008 (see "Scary Guy," December 15).
- Post-daily
After leaving daily newspapers, where do journalists go?
- US Rep. Allen to protestors: go directly to jail
With Allen challenging Collins, Branson wondered aloud how long Anderson’s favors would continue.
- Less
Topics:
Talking Politics
, Barack Obama, Elections and Voting, Politics, More
, Barack Obama, Elections and Voting, Politics, Culture and Lifestyle, John Edwards (Politician), Condoleezza Rice, Relationships, Sexuality, Susan Collins, Tom Allen, Less
