Maine Democratic Party

Press Room

Press Releases

For Immediate Release:
July 9, 2010

Contact:
Mary Erin Casale
mecasale@mainedems.org
(207) 619-4336

The Company He Keeps

South Portland- Friday, the Maine Heritage Policy Center will host a luncheon featuring Florida U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio, with an introduction from GOP gubernatorial nominee Paul LePage. Rubio, much like Le Page, is a Tea Party darling who has been endorsed by Mitt Romney and embraces the ultraconservative fringe. Extreme viewpoints seem to be Mr. Rubio's and Mr. LePage's specialties.

In the Florida Republican Senate Primary, Marco Rubio forced a more moderate establishment candidate, Charlie Crist, to drop out and run as an Independent. Like LePage's victory in Maine, the Tea Party was credited with Rubio's success. "We've seen what the Tea Party stands for," said Arden Manning, Victory 2010 Campaign Manager. The Maine Republican Party Platform, written largely in part by Tea Partiers, calls for the elimination of the US Department of Education and even wants to do away with the UN Treaty on the Rights of the Child. "LePage and Rubio are cut from the same Tea Party mold. They represent the fringe of their Party and are too extreme for Maine."

LePage and Rubio also share views that are out of the mainstream. In February 2010, Rubio made public his disbelief of climate change. "I don't think there's the scientific evidence to justify it." [Tampa Tribune, 2/13/10] This falls right in line with Mayor LePage's extreme position on environmental conservation and protection. LePage has also gone as far as Rubio, calling global warming a hoax. (http://recordings.talkshoe.com/rss52956.xml).

Rubio also has lavished praise on Sarah Palin, saying that he agrees with her on every issue and openly calling for an endorsement. In November 2009, Rubio said he would welcome the endorsement of Sarah Palin. He said, "I can't think of anything her and I disagree with off the top of my head." [The Hill, 11/10/09]

"When can we expect LePage's visit from Sarah Palin?" said Arden Manning, Victory 2010 campaign manager. "The 2010 election will represent a crossroads for the Republican Party, and if LePage and Rubio are any indication, it seems the Party has swerved hard to the right. We cannot afford to allow this new Tea Party-GOP to take over the Blaine House."

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