John Knutson

The Maine Democratic Party says it is hypocritical that John McCain criticized opponent Barack Obama for his inexperience, then picking an inexperienced running mate.

John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, issued the following statement:

Wednesday night, Maine was in front of the world for a couple minutes during the roll call vote.

At first, it didn’t happen. Only a few states were going to go before New York, where Clinton would suspend the nominating process, and then to the Illinois delegation who would officially nominate Obama for President.

Maine wasn’t one of them.

Hillary was running late, however, so John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, was told that Maine would be announcing its results. As Louisiana wrapped up, he was asked to speak for an extra two minutes.

Knutson said he was able to add a little bit, and Montana made up for the rest.

Justice Souter: U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter has jurisdiction over the Hoffman case.Herb Hoffman, an independent hoping to run for U.S. Senate, claims his First Amendment rights were violated when the Maine Supreme Court ruled against him last month, removing him from the November ballot.

It’s not certain if the Court will hear the case, however Justice David Souter has acknowledged the petition and has requested several briefs in response to the petition that were filed today.

Souter oversees emergency petitions from this region.

The Hoffman petition could be considered in two stages, one contingent on the other.

With the state’s system of splitting the electoral votes, John McCain may have a fighting chance at winning the Second Congressional District, thus one of Maine’s electoral votes.

This system, used by only one other state, splits electoral votes by Congressional Districts. The two remaining votes will go to the state’s overall winner.

“Both parties are concerned,” said John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party. “It’s a more conservative district than the first. We expect we will take it again, but we’ll have to be very diligent.”

Maine’s Supreme Court will hear the final appeal of the Maine Democratic Party in their effort to remove independent U.S. Senate candidate Herb Hoffman from the ballot Thursday at 11 a.m.

In a brief conversation this weekend, Hoffman said the appeal was a pain but is confident in his case. In a short statement Monday, titled ‘Dems are still at it,” he urged spectators to attend.

The Democrats have been trying to remove Hoffman from the ballot since June 9, when Chairman John Knutson first filed a petition with the Secretary of State’s Office contesting Hoffman’s candidacy.

Superior Court Justice Joseph M. Jabar has recused himself from hearing a case involving the U.S. Senate race because of ties to a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland).

John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, is appealing a recent decision by the Secretary of State's office to take independent U.S. Senate candidate Herb Hoffman off the ballot. Knutson and the party had challenged the validity of some of the signatures on Hoffman's nominating petitions.

The case is under the jurisdiction of Kennebec County Superior Court, and was originally assigned to Jabar. Walker said Jabar was considering recusing himself from the case because his wife had held a fundraiser for Allen, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor).

Courthouse officials, unable to say why, said Jabar had already declined the case and another judge has yet to be assigned.

Sources say the case will likely be taken up Thursday or Friday. Hoffman said Wednesday that if it does not come out in his favor, he will appeal to the Maine Supreme Court.

As a rule -- Maine people like rules, but they value what is fair, above all else.  The sense of fairness in Maine, which usually transcends politics, is one of those things that makes Maine such a great place to live.

That will be the challenge for the Democrats.  Can they eliminate Mr. Hoffman from the ballot and do it in the name of fairness?  Or, will they overplay their hand, and be viewed as thugs determined to win at all costs?

It's a close call, but I think the jury is still out on that.

In the meantime, expect several press stories, a few TV interviews and lots of blog chatter for Mr. Hoffman --which is not bad for a guy with no money, no political experience and no staff.

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud endorsed John Edwards early in the presidential campaign.

When Edwards dropped out, Michaud entered vast realm of “uncommitted superdelegates”, the subject of virtually every pundit debate and a buzz word in political circles.

Following Edwards’ endorsement of Barack Obama, Michaud has decided to remain uncommitted.

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen endorsed Obama on Monday, helping to put him in the lead with superdelegates.