portland politics

Latest Articles

A clean mind and dirty hands

Moral dilemmas for the Maine Clean Election Fund
Three people walk into a bank ...
By AL DIAMON | February 10, 2010

Politics and other mistakes
In olden times, before unlimited numbers of free-range office-seekers were allowed to be-fowl — er, befoul — the airwaves with messages less clever than that poultry — er, paltry — pun, the general rule of politics was that one dumb cluck per election season was plenty.
By AL DIAMON | August 12, 2009

Off the track

Politics and other mistakes
I've been thinking about what makes a first-rate kook.
By AL DIAMON | August 05, 2009

Our journalism echoes our politics

If the press reflects the times, which way will it go now?
Why won’t the Maine press inquire deeply into major issues?
By LANCE TAPLEY | August 03, 2009

Happy together

Politics and other mistakes
There's an easy way to make everyone happy.
By AL DIAMON | July 29, 2009

The sunny side of the street

Politics and other mistakes
It's good to be known as an optimist. It keeps people from realizing you're actually a boob.
By AL DIAMON | July 22, 2009

My aim is true

Talking Politics
I believe in having clear and achievable goals.
By AL DIAMON | June 24, 2009

Some kind of salvation

Politics and other mistakes
In 2008, Sean Faircloth, then a state representative from Bangor, lost his bid to become Maine's attorney general, mostly because lots of legislators questioned his credibility. When your credibility is so shaky that even politicians notice, you have a serious problem. It's sort of like if atheists complained about your ungodliness.
By AL DIAMON | June 17, 2009

Stickin' it to the poor

Right wing celebrates state budget
The Maine Heritage Policy Center, a right-wing Portland think tank, has been bragging in news releases about how state leaders have followed its advice, approving a two-year state-government budget that, among other cuts, slashes school aid, programs for the needy, and state-employee pay.
By LANCE TAPLEY | June 03, 2009

Having it Both Ways

Should we blame Baldacci now?
For years, Democratic Governor John Baldacci, governors before him, and many legislators have made job creation their loudest mantra. “Jobs!” echoes under Augusta’s State House dome as the rationale for cutting taxes and expenses (services) and increasing corporate tax breaks to make Maine more “business friendly.”
By LANCE TAPLEY | June 03, 2009

Out of the closet

Politics and other mistakes
I don't believe in gay stereotypes. With one exception.
By AL DIAMON | June 03, 2009

Out of office

Just because nobody pays attention doesn't mean a guy can't make a royal mess of things.
It's only fitting the news media seem to have missed James J. Walsh's death. Even when Walsh was alive, the rare instances when he attracted publicity never worked out too well for him. The only reason he had any kind of political career was because he mostly flew so far below the radar that he had to pick earthworms out of his teeth.
By AL DIAMON | May 27, 2009