Pajak was also a consultant for Republican Dean Scontras's 1st District congressional campaign, so it's appropriate that we call Scontras himself to the stage to accept the Medal For Being The Least Likely Anti-War Activist. In 2010, Scontras said he opposed the war in Afghanistan and favored withdrawing the troops. In his unsuccessful primary bid for the same office in 2008, he supported the war effort.
Of course, in '08, he was running against a guy who was serving in Iraq.
The Prize For Most Confusing Position On Casinos is jointly awarded to Democratic state Senate candidate Rick Burns of Berwick and Republican state House hopeful Deborah Sanderson of Chelsea. Burns told the Reporter newspaper: "Maine citizens would not be faced with decisions about casinos and gambling were it not for the fact that unfair trade agreements have left [us] economically destitute." Sanderson is quoted in the Herald Gazette as saying, "I love the idea [a casino] could bring jobs to Maine. I'm probably going to vote 'no' on it."
Finally, there's Republican House candidate John Michael of Auburn, who told the Lewiston Sun Journal he'd like to serve on the Legislature's Business or Labor committees, "where I might contribute some common sense to keep the two sides from killing each other."
During his previous stint in the Legislature, Michael was censured for a screaming, obscenity-laced tirade against two of his colleagues. While running for governor in 2002, he repeatedly used a racial epithet in a radio interview.
His trophy features a can of gasoline and a match.
If you didn't win, you can complain to me ataldiamon@herniahill.net. But that would make you an idiot.
