Woodcock has no chance of winning for the following reasons:
1. He supports the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR). This has been a very devisive issue. People who support TABOR are just looking at the fact that their taxes would be lower. But of course with lower taxes comes lower funding for public services such as police and fire departments, libraries, and schools. I haven't seen any polls about TABOR but I really don't think it's going to pass in November, and neither will Woodcock. It seems that he's trying to get elected on a lower taxes platform but his only plan is to try to get TABOR to pass. After that he has nothing. What I think he wants to happen is that he will be elected, TABOR will pass, and come next election he could say that the Republicans lowered taxes, hoping to get other Republican candidates elected. Too bad for him that none of this will happen.
2. He's too conservative. Even Republicans think so, according to that article. I have seen some support from teachers because he wants to get rid of the Maine Learning Results (which I agree with) but his views on abortion and gay marriage will kill him. If one of the more moderate Republican candidates had won the primary we would be seeing a lot closer race than it is.
Like the article said, Barbara Merrill is the only candidate to look out for. She defected from the Democratic Party so she still has the support of some Democrats. Unfortunately for her, that support won't be enough to win her the governor's race.
Baldacci, however, can run on a few different issues.
1. Lower taxes. During his administration Maine has dropped from the highest taxes in the country to 3rd highest. While it may not be a big jump, it's a jump nonetheless.
2. He balanced the budget.
3. He's socially moderate. He doesn't want creationism taught in schools, he's pro-choice, but his stance on gay marriage is, well, he doesn't think that that's the most important issue to be talking about right now.
I realize this diary probably wasn't great, but I felt that people from out of state might not know all this information and I wanted to write my first diary about the supposedly close governor's race. I'd appreciate your thoughts on this too, so leave me a comment. Have a great weekend!
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