Mark Ellis

Maine Republican Party chairman Mark Ellis issued the following statement in response to former independent Gov. Angus King’s endorsement of Barack Obama this morning:

“Angus King’s endorsement of Barack Obama is no surprise. We fully expected Gov. King to endorse whomever the Democrats nominated for President.  Indeed, Gov. King presided over a massive expansion of our state budget that has idled the Maine economy for over a decade.  Therefore, it is only fitting that King would endorse Obama who has promised higher income taxes, Social Security taxes, investment taxes, and corporate taxes, as well as ‘massive new domestic spending’.  After all, birds of a feather flock together.”

MINNEAPOLIS – Republicans are scrambling to adjust the Republican National Convention schedule in response to Hurricane Gustav which is ripping through the Gulf Coast.

This is no different for the Maine delegation. Late Sunday evening Maine party chairman Mark Ellis said the delegation was still working out how their schedule will be altered.

Two events are set.

Monday morning the delegation will hold a breakfast at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis.

Maine Republican party chairman Mark Ellis issued the following statement in support of U.S. Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) choice of Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) for vice presidential running mate:

“John McCain’s choice of Governor Palin as his running mate is a truly exciting pick and brings another maverick with a proven record of challenging the status quo to the Republican ticket. John McCain is putting Washington on serious notice with his choice of Governor Palin.  A McCain/Palin team is sure to shake things up and that is exactly what we need in Washington now.”

The Maine Democratic Party says it is hypocritical that John McCain criticized opponent Barack Obama for his inexperience, then picking an inexperienced running mate.

John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, issued the following statement:

The Maine Republican Party has released a statement in advance of Barack Obama’s big acceptance speech tonight.

Maine GOP Chairman Mark Ellis said:

Video: Sen. Collins' response to Allen's speech, from the Collins campaign 

Both the Maine Republican Party and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) responded to U.S. Rep. Tom Allen’s (D-Portland) speech at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday.

Allen is challenging Collins for her seat this November.

The party said the Allen campaign exaggerated the significance of the speech noting that it lasted only 1 minute and 48 seconds, and that 7:07 p.m. was “well outside the ‘prime time’.”

Maine GOP chairman Mark Ellis issued the following statement:

As Democrats are gathering in Denver for the Democratic National Convention, Republicans in Maine are saying they're skeptical of the man the Democrats are expected to name their presidential nominee.

In a statement Tuesday, Maine GOP chairman Mark Ellis said U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was not ready to lead the nation. 

“Barack Obama’s record speaks for itself – he is not ready to lead,” said Ellis said. “When it comes to taxes, Obama voted for tax increases 94 times during his short tenure in the Senate.  He even supported raising taxes on those making as little as $42,000.  The last thing Maine families and Maine small businesses need in these tough economic times are higher taxes.”   

Ellis also criticized Obama's stated reluctance to expand off-shore oil drilling as a method for bringing down gasoline prices, saying presumptive Republican nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) offered better solutions.

"Obama opposes common sense solutions like offshore drilling and nuclear energy, while John McCain has the right idea in proposing comprehensive ‘all of the above’ solutions to our energy crisis.  The bottom line is Obama is wrong on the economy and wrong on energy.  Barack Obama does not have the judgment or the experience to be President of the United States.” 

Mark Ellis, chairman of the Maine Republican Party, has issued a statement attacking Barack Obama’s Vice Presidential pick.

He pointed out hypocrisy in Obama, who touts change in government, picking a “longtime Washington insider.”

His full statement:

The Center for Responsive Politics found this week that while many perceive John McCain as the candidate backed by the oil companies, Barack Obama gets his share as well.

The center found that of the two major party candidates, McCain benefits the most from the industry itself, however Obama gets more from individual donors who are employees of the industry.

This distinction was made in Maine today as the two state parties exchanged jabs over energy prices, each saying the other’s candidate should do something to bring immediate relief to citizens.

A Republican former state House candidate said he was pressured out of running by leaders of his party because of politically incorrect online comments he had made on various Web sites.

Jarody, a 24-year-old from Augusta who only goes by one name, planned to run for House District 57 against incumbent Patsy Crockett (D-Augusta). GOP Party Chairman Mark Ellis and House Republican Leader Josh Tardy convinced him not to.

He withdrew, but in retrospect regretted the decision.

"I was a Ron Paul person, I was used to not getting their support," he said.