Don Roberts
Lots of political news-as I launch my first blog on donrobertspolitical.blogspot.com.
I hope you will become a regular follower.
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"HE DID IT HIS WAY"
Riding the crest of a populist wave, Paul Lepage, in a single day may have
come close to "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory."
None of this came as any great surprise to me.
A few of you know that last fall (for one brief shining moment) I was Paul's
campaign manager.
He hasn't had (a real) one, since.
I created, and printed, his opening campaign materials-
"a new dawn for Maine," The Paul LePage story,"etc.
We worked at my living room table together and wrote positions and speeches
on all the issues.
As we strategized, we agreed that if he could get past the primary,
a winning coalition of traditional Republicans, fiscally conservative
Independents and cross-over franco-american Democrats could carry him
to victory in November.
Then a problem developed.
Our release announcing statewide his candidacy for Governor-
went out with his approval.
Unfortunately, he had forgotten a promise of an exclusive to a reporter.
So when contacted he said that the announcement was premature
and that he had not yet made up his mind.
We employed "damage control" and he "officially" announced the
next day.
The damage to Roberts & Co.'s reputation was already done.
We continued on for several more weeks, while the candidate
stubbornly refused most advice.
Winter in Florida beckoned and exasperation was setting in-
so with as much class as possible I completed all unfinished
business, wished LePage well, told him I hoped he wins and
moved on.
I had discussed the campaign with Brent Littlefield, an old friend
and consultant in Washington, D.C. , so he picked up the advice
gauntlet from there.
I have since congratulated Paul on his primary victory with
a very personal, supportive note.
He did not respond.
I had not planned to comment on any of this but in reflecting on
what has happened within the campaign it is important for LePage
to realize that the same type of mistakes regarding truthfulness
and stubbornness must not be repeated.
He must listen to others who have his best interests at heart.
He must stop trying to do it all "his way," and run a professional
campaign.
I'm sure he felt that his methods were vindicated by his sweeping
Republican primary victory-but as I warned, November will be
different,
The political revolt in this country, extending to Maine with his
"tea party" endorsement, catapulted him to victory in June,
despite an underfunded, amateurish campaign.
Things have changed since, because he has committed serious
political mistakes.
Sources, inside the Democrat party, tell me that Libby Mitchell
has polling (she uses President Clinton's pollsters) showing the race
now closing to only three points-with three months to go.
All may not be lost for LePage, if he will accept advice.
Sources tell us the candidate recently hired another amateur (college
Republican) to handle his communications.
Senator Susan Collins and the state party sensing the best opportunity
to elect a Republican governor since McKernan is slipping away,
are dispatching Collins' media director Lance Dutson to Waterville.
He knows his "stuff"and will establish a new rapport with the press
for LePage.
Meanwhile other elements in this race for Maine Governor-are
bubbling below the surface.
LePage may be losing votes to Shawn Moody, the self-made
millionaire owner of Moody's Collision Centers.
Moody has political operative Dennis Bailey directing him.
Anybody eventually voting for Moody is a vote that LePage would
otherwise have had. They attract the same voter.
Independent Eliot Cutler, easily possessing the best
resume in the race, and perhaps the best qualified to actually
do something to "jump start" Maine's economy with his global
connections, remains a serious threat.
Cutler is looking for those moderate to liberal Republicans
afraid of LePage and more of Libby's defectors who don't like
her "style.," while hoping Paul and Libby will finish each other
off.
Cutler is positioning himself as "the answer to two extremes."
Conclusion:
I picked LePage as the winner from a field of 21 last September.
What could have been a "lock" for LePage is now going to be
a "horse race," with three contenders.
Libby has been given new life and Cutler looms large as an
alternative to the party nominees.
With professional political help- LePage may still be able to stop
the bleeding.
The "story" and the message could still work-
but only if the Republican nominee accepts the help he now
desperately needs.
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