Cross-posted at Turn Maine Blue.
I wanted to follow up to Gerald's diary at Turn Maine Blue about the caucus here in Maine this past Sunday. My focus here is not on the caucus process as much as to what Barack Obama's win in Maine means here in Maine.
I have two thoughts which I don't really have answers to but I wanted to open up to everyone:
1. Going into the caucus there was only one poll (conducted early last year) which showed Hillary Clinton up big time. At that point she had the name recognition which was probably the case. However I read on Marc Ambinder's blog
Don't automatically assume that Barack Obama will win these caucuses, despite his edge in smaller contests.
Maine has been bombarded with news about Clinton's victory in New Hampshire, and the "Baldacci Machine" -- Gov. John Baldacci -- is in her corner.
Was Obama's win a repudiation of the "Baldacci Machine?" The Governor is a Clinton supporter/Super-Delegate. Plus Clinton had a LOT of Maine legislators supporting her. Baldacci isn't all that popular right now either. I haven't been able to find exit polling on this (if there is any) to claim this. It's only my speculation at this point. I personally think Obama won in Maine because Mainers believed in his message and want him to be President. But Clinton's loss can't be good for Baldacci in the long run especially if Clinton loses the nomination.
2. If Obama wins not only the nomination but the Presidency, do you think Speaker Glenn Cummings can punch his ticket to almost any position in an Obama Administration? Here's a guy who came out for Obama early and appeared at Obama's two big rallies when the Senator came to Maine. You can't help see the Speaker's stock is on the rise...
Those are my thoughts. What say you?