McGowan and Rowe Continue Push

The primaries are almost here.  We’ve made our predictions on which Democrat could take the nomination.  We cited Pat McGowan’s centrist appeal and Steve Rowe’s military service as strengths for both candidates.  Appropriately leveraged, they could mean the difference between moving on and heading home.  It seems someone at each campaign office got the message.Pat McGowan has unveiled his plans to reform state government.  McGowan begins with a popular quote from Thomas Jefferson. “Thomas Jefferson once said, ‘The government that governs best governs least,’” McGowan quoted, “I agree.”  While it may not be the same as Ronald Reagan’s “government is the problem”, McGowan’s words are likely to strike a chord with many voters.

The plan performs the following:

• Reduce the number of legislators by one third
• Increase term limits from 4 consecutive 2-year terms to 3 consecutive 4-year terms
• Move the primaries to September
• Set a limit to the number of bills introduced each session
• Create a Lt. Governor position
• Combine the Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation, the Dept. of Economic and Community Development, and the Maine State Planning Office to create one Maine Department of Commerce

“This proposal will improve the way we legislate, it will improve our political process, it will improve the way we govern, and it will help to restore faith in government,” McGowan said.  “The voters I have spoken with want this change, and they deserve a break.”

I’ve heard many question why Maine does not have a Lt. Governor.  It is interesting to see a candidate propose adding that position.  The rest of McGowan’s plan is full of reductions or consolidations.  Do the specifics matter to voters?  Possibly, but these aren’t kitchen table issues.  However, if McGowan can clearly express that this could save taxpayers money that may help him convince primary voters.  It does show that McGowan is continuing to press his credentials as a moderate democrat.  Some have expressed that McGowan’s plan to reduce the number of legislators amounts to reducing the level of representative for Mainers.  This, and other parts of the plan only serve to increase the power of the Governor’s office some have said.  McGowan should address these concerns if he hopes to nab those all important independent votes.

Today Steve Rowe began promoting his “Veterans for Rowe” group.  The group is specifically designed to link veteran supporters of Rowe with other veterans.  Rowe supporters in this group made calls to those who have served asking them to vote for Rowe in the Democratic primary.

“I was proud and honored to attend West Point and to serve in the U.S. Army,” said Rowe.  “It was at Fort Bragg that I met my wife, then Army Captain Amanda Long.  It was wonderful to have Amanda by my side at the press conference today, 29 years later.”

“I want our veterans to know that I will continue do what I have done throughout my career – fight for Maine people,” Rowe said. “As Governor, I will make sure veterans have access to affordable health care, housing and quality jobs right here in Maine.”

As I said in my predictions, Rowe is alone in the Democratic field as the only veteran.  He has to leverage these votes.  It’s the home stretch.  Every candidate needs to make all the plays they can.  This one could help Rowe cross the finish line first.