Chris Potholm

At this point last year, the U.S. Senate race in Maine between Republican incumbent Susan Collins and Democratc challenger Tom Allen was predicted to be a race to watch, with pundits deeming it as a key pick-up opportunity for the Democrats. But three polls in recent weeks paint a different picture. And now, the Rothenberg Political Report has placed the race in the “clear advantage for the incumbent party" category.

State Sen. Ethan Strimling: Campaign PhotoFollowing his loss in the Democratic Congressional primary, outgoing state Sen. Ethan Strimling (D-Portland) is focusing on an organization he helped form in 2004.

A Rising Tide trains young Mainers in grassroots campaigning and organizing. It will train its 13th class of 30 people this weekend.

Strimling’s former campaign manager, Corey Hascall, is the executive director.

The training is free, but then graduates must spend 40 hours volunteering for an effort of their choice.

Trainers are: Dennis Bailey, President of Savvy Inc. and Democratic political strategist; Chris Potholm, Bowdoin College Professor and pollster and Roy Lenardson, a Republican political consultant and strategist.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) has a background in hunting, fishing and snowmobiling, and some Republicans say this will make U.S. Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) ticket very attractive in the 2nd Congressional District.

"McCain can't win the second district," said Chris Potholm, a political science professor at Bowdoin College. "But she can win it for him."