(Article Commentary: While the National News Media claims the TEA Party has mixed feelings, if you ask actual TEA Party members, you will learn that a massive majority are fine with Senator Snowe's departure. The opportunity to fill the seat with a true TEA Party like Scott D'Amboise is exciting to our movement.)
David Sharp / The Associated Press
PORTLAND — While it's common knowledge that the tea party was frustrated with Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, activists were divided over whether the woman sometimes described as the most liberal Republican in the Senate should exit Congress.With no formal organization or leadership, tea party activists were fractured over whether to work with the senator, or to work for her ouster. Some were hoping for a more conservative candidate, though Snowe seemed a shoo-in for re-election.
"You have to be careful of what you wish for," said Peter Harring, an Auburn carpenter who's a leading voice in the movement. "The replacement could be worse."
Snowe's announcement last week that she would not seek a fourth term because of excessive partisanship put a seat that was expected to remain in GOP hands up for grabs, with nearly a dozen Republicans and Democrats deciding whether to run or step aside to make way for others.
The move gives Democrats a shot at the seat. One of the potential candidates is Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree, who represents Maine's liberal, coastal congressional district. Another Democrat weighing a bid is former Gov. John Baldacci. Four other Democrats already are in the race.
On the GOP side, conservative Scott D'Amboise was the choice of tea party activists who felt Snowe was out of step. But instead of coasting unopposed with Snowe's departure, D'Amboise now faces up to four GOP competitors, including former state Sen. Rick Bennett. They could be joined by Secretary of State Charles Summers, Attorney General William Schneider and state Treasurer Bruce Poliquin.
