They hope bipartisan tide lifts all
by Elbert Aull, Sep 12, 2004HALLOWELL -- Joe Prevost got a chance to kick off his campaign for governor Saturday -- 12 years early, and in front of current Governor John Baldacci.
"I'll be working on the Prevost for governor campaign in about 12 years," Prevost, a University of Southern Maine student and "conservative independent," told Baldacci.
Prevost, 29, of Windham, was one of more than a dozen young Mainers who recently attended one of a series of free seminars meant to integrate them into the state's civic process.
The governor, who smiled at his suggestion, spoke Saturday morning to the group, encouraging the political hopefuls to avoid the partisan controversy that mired the latest legislative session.
"Both sides really need to work at it," Baldacci said. "Rather than allowing things to get blown out of proportion."
The seminars, which are the work of the non-profit organization A Rising Tide, teach future Democratic and Republican leaders the nuts and bolts of working on political campaigns -- from where to put signs to what kind of direct mail is most effective.
Many state politicians, however, hope they will build bridges between the future leaders that will help smooth over partisan differences that made Augusta a rough place this winter.
"We really want the same thing for this state ... we just have different ways of getting there," said State Sen. Ethan Strimling, D-Cumberland County, who has helped raise around $50,000 for the venture. "I absolutely hope this will impact future legislatures."
Prevost, the future candidate for governor who said he wants to push for a publicly-funded commuter rail from the suburbs of Cumberland County to Portland, said he agreed.
"We all want the same thing," he said.
Strimling said he and Executive Director Corey Hascall are committed to keeping the seminars free and connecting participants with ongoing campaigns where they can volunteer.
So far, their efforts have landed most of the attendees volunteer work for state house and senate races, while a few received paid positions on larger campaigns. Two graduates -- Liz McMahon, 31, and Wilfreid Plalum, 30, both of Portland -- are now working with the John Kerry campaign.
Anyone interested in the program should e-mail Executive Director Corey Hascall at arisingtidemaine@gmail.com.
Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
