President Bush

In U.S. Rep. Tom Allen’s new ad, “Right,” he again links Sen. Susan Collins to Bush administration policies for which she voted.

“In times of crisis we need leaders who make the right choices. Susan Collins stood with George Bush on the biggest issues,” the narrator says.

The ad reflects arguments Allen has made throughout the campaign.

A radio ad makes similar claims. Another television ad features Mainers talking about how they are not voting for Collins because they supported Bush’s policies.

Allen ad claim 1: Collins supported the Iraq war

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama leads Republican nominee John McCain by a large margin in California, and two of the most high-profile ballot measures are on the tipping point between passing and failing, according to a new survey released late Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California.

The ticket of Obama and Joe Biden leads McCain and Sarah Palin by a margin of 56-33 among likely voters, a 13-point gain for the Democratic ticket in the last month. Obama and Biden are doing particularly well among women, Latinos, younger voters and independents, according to the PPIC.

Nothing promotes harmony more than a crisis, and last week House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner could not have been closer. The two, along with the rest of their respective leadership teams, pledged a bipartisan effort to solve the rapidly escalating disaster on Wall Street, and for at least a little while, it looked like that bipartisanship was working.

Both sides saw the potential for a political explosion on the horizon, and yet pressure from the administration and the threat of a further economic disaster has prompted the vast majority of Congress that something, at least, must be done.

Debate over how to resolve the nation’s financial emergency is taking a salutary direction for the moment, as politicians of both parties refuse to be herded by the Bush White House into a ridiculous $700 billion swindle. Before Congress approves such a stunning expenditure to save the undeserving hides of the super-rich, they may at least create provisions for independent oversight, new regulation, public equity and homeowner relief.

With just months to go in his presidency, George W. Bush isn't getting any increase in good vibes from the beleaguered Golden State.

According to a new Field Poll, Bush's approval rating in California is 25 percent, virtually unchanged from poll readings going back all the way to March 2007.

Angus King: Former Gov. Angus King endorses Barack Obama in Lewiston Friday. Politicker photo.LEWISTON -- Playing on the message that Barack Obama has appeal beyond the party base, former Gov. Angus King, an independent, endorsed the Democratic Presidential candidate this morning.

Also endorsing was state Rep. Richard Woodbury, an independent from Yarmouth.

King, who served two terms as Governor from 1995 to 2002, said that he has traditionally voted for both Democrats and Republicans.

DSCC Press Conference: Democratic challengers hold a press conferences with DSCC chairman Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

DENVER -- U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ (R-Bangor) seat is just one of a handful of seats that Democrats hope to take from Republicans this year, in order to gain a filibuster-proof majority.

The Democratic challengers, including U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) are linking their opponents to President Bush, playing off the current administration’s low approval ratings.

Tom Allen appeared with five other Democratic challengers Wednesday afternoon in Denver to discuss the importance of taking back a working majority with U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic National Senatorial Campaign Committee.

No Oregonian is slated to speak at the Republican National Convention next month, where U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will be officially nominated as the party’s candidate for president, according to a list of speakers released Wednesday.

Ralph Nader, a hopeful presidential candidate, submitted 5,500 signatures to the Maine Secretary of State’s office today.

This is more than the 4,000 needed.

The Portland Press Herald has details here.

The Portland Press Herald is covering President Bush’s arrival in Maine today. He arrived in Sanford at 1:30, and is headed to his parents’ compound in Kennebunkport.

Several activist groups, including the Kennebunks Peace Department, Code Pink and others are planning a protest on Saturday.