Maine: Arden Manning

A.J. Higgins of MPBN has this scoop about two Maine Democratic Party State Committee members were ousted from their posts earlier this week for supporting independent candidate Herb Hoffman.

Executive Director Arden Manning told Higgins that it was a conflict of interest for David Bright and Lu Bauer to sit on the committee while supporting an opposition candidate. Issues may arise, he said, while sitting in on leadership meetings where strategy could be discussed.

It took some asking around of the staff and volunteers at the Maine Democratic Party headquarters tonight (Sunday), but finally Executive Director Arden Manning found someone who spoke French.

A reporter from Radio France was on the line. They wanted to talk about the Maine caucuses.

This weekend, Mainers getting something they’re not used too: Attention from presidential candidates.

They’re also getting something they’re very used to: Snow -- and lots of it, to continue through caucus day.

Arden Manning, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party, didn’t seem concerned about the weather, however. Caucuses are in each town – no one has to travel too far.

After all, “We’re Mainers, we’re used to it,” Manning said.

Since the Maine Democratic Party distributed absentee ballots, several candidates have dropped out of the race.

Arden Manning, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party, said those who voted for one of the candidates have three options.

-Do nothing. The vote will still go to the candidate who dropped out.

-Go to the caucus, vote there and tell the convener to disregard the absentee ballot.