Susan Collins

BANGOR -- The Politico recently reported that U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) is being considered for Homeland Security secretary by Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama.

As she boarded her bus for a final day of campaigning, Collins told PolitickerME.com that she isn’t interested in the job. Collins has had a tough re-election fight against U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland), however she is up by double digits in the polls.

“It’s very flattering,” she said of the consideration, “but I’m very happy serving the people of Maine in the U.S. Senate.”

BANGOR -- U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) spent his last day on the campaign trail in Biddeford, Portland, Waterville and Bangor Monday.

His final stop was in Bangor, where he mingled with volunteers at a phone bank at the Democratic Party offices downtown.

Allen said it has been a long campaign – nearly two years – but a great experience.

As the hours waned, he continued to contrast himself with his opponent, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor), especially in the areas of economic policy and health care.

Campaign Photo

Tom Allen

The Portland Phoenix, an alternative weekly paper, has released their endorsements for state and national races, but chose not to make one in the U.S. Senate race between Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland).

The Phoenix editorial staff wrote that they were unable to line up meetings with either candidate. They also accused the Allen campaign of playing a, “bizarre and sleazy game,” for trying to dictate the terms of an interview.

Campaign spokeswoman Carol Andrews told the Phoenix that Allen would only meet with them if they promised not to meet with independent write-in candidate Herb Hoffman.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) has expanded her lead over U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) in the final days of the election, according to Rasmussen Reports.

Collins leads Allen 57 percent to 41 percent. Last month, the same poll showed the race narrowing, with Collins leading 53 percent to 43 percent.

She has the following favorability ratings: 29 percent very favorable, 40 percent somewhat favorable, 19 percent somewhat unfavorable, 11 percent very unfavorable, 1 percent not sure.

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) has a new ad out replaying a 1996 pledge by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) promising to serve just two terms. Allen hopes to unseat Collins on Tuesday.

Collins says in the clip: “I have pledged that if I’m elected I will only serve two terms, regardless of whether term limits law – constitutional amendment passes or not. Twelve years is long enough to be in public service, make a contribution, and then come home and let someone else take your place.”

The last sentence repeats twice, and on the screen voters are informed that she voted for the War in Iraq and Bush economic policies, and accusing her of refusing to hold hearings on waste and fraud in Iraq.

The Maine Democratic Party blasted a statement by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) that she would not call on Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to step down. Stevens was convicted this week on seven counts of violating federal ethics laws.

Many of her Republican colleagues, including Presidential candidate John McCain, have called on Stevens to step down as senator and abandon his reelection bid.

Rebecca Pollard, communications director for the Maine Democratic Party, demanded today that Collins take a stand.

Former U.S. Senate majority leader George Mitchell has been actively campaigning for Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama and U.S. Senate nominee and current Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland).

Tuesday he campaigned with Allen, who hopes to unseat U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor), and PolitickerME.com had a chance to ask Mitchell about this year's election.

UPDATE: The Portland Press Herald has this story about how Collins and Snowe feel about Stevens’ conviction. U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe said he should step down. Collins said it should be up to the voters.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) has given $10,000 this cycle to Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who was convicted Monday on seven counts of violating federal ethics laws for not reporting gifts from lobbyists.

Collins gave to Stevens through her committee, Dirigo PAC, in two $5,000 donations. The first occurred on June 18, 2007, before news of the federal investigation came to light. The second occurred June 11, 2008, after the investigation became public and several weeks before Stevens was indicted.

When asked why Collins chose to donate to Stevens the second time, campaign spokesman Kevin Kelley replied in an email: “It is common for members of Congress to donate to their colleagues’ campaigns.”

Stevens had given Collins $10,000 toward her reelection bid through his committee, the Northern Lights PAC. After he was indicted, Collins’ campaign announced that it would give the funds to charity.

PolitickerME.com spent the day with U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland), who is challenging U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor).

See below for a slideshow of photos.

Stories:

• Campaign trail blog: Lewiston is crucial, Allen says
• Allen: Attendance attack is personal and offensive
• Campaign trail blog: Allen in Skowhegan
• Campaign Trail blog: Tom Allen in Waterville
• Campaign trail blog: George Mitchell in Waterville

PolitickerME.com is on the trail with U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) and former Sen. George Mitchell as they make four stops in Waterville, Skowhegan, Portland and Lewiston. Allen is challenging U.S. Sen. Susan Collins for her seat this year.

LEWISTON – People crowded into the basement of the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston Tuesday evening, lining up for hot dogs and baked beans, and filling every table to hear former Sen. George Mitchell and U.S. Reps. Tom Allen and Mike Michaud speak.

This was one of a number of “conversation for change” community suppers Allen’s campaign has hosted. This year he is challenging U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) for her seat.

Mitchell was the first to speak, and reminisced about his first run for office in the 1980s.