Chandler Woodcock and a Pitch for Governor Baldacci

So Chandler Woodcock, the Republican candidate for Governor came in to talk to our Government class today. He really exceeded my expectations. For a man with the conservative reputation he has I was expecting something a little more volitile and easy to anger, but in reality he is just another Mainah trying to make this state a better place. This is not to say that I'm endorsing his candidacy but his example reminds me that we need to listen to the candidates before we write them off. His plan for Maine economically seemed pretty reasonable. As you would expect from a Republican he wants to lower taxes across the board which worries me due to the state services that could be cut or seriously downsized as a result. He also wants to clean up our enviornment which is something I will always respect and support. But Chandler's real discrepency in my book is his stance on social issues. Of course, I respect anyone's right to have an opinion but that doesn't mean I have to agree with it. He quite clearly stated that he's against gay marriage, civil unions and abortion. These are just stances that I can't associate myself with because social issues are the things that matter the most to me. I would understand not wanting gays to marry on religious grounds (I don't agree but I understand why he would) but I don't understand why any person working for the common good would not want to support a loving couple's rights to take out a loan together, be given access to their hospital room if they're sick or any of the other benefits that civil unions are concerned.
One thing I will say in his favor is that he comes across as a much more compelling speaker than our current governor does, but in my mind that doesn't make up for the superior leadership qualities that I believe John Baldacci displays on a daily basis. So here's my pitch for Baldacci as well....
Maine is not an easy place to govern. We Mainers are not easily pleased and seem to be quite tightfisted with our money and our time. However, a fiscal moderate like Baldacci has been able to not only survive four years in the Blaine House but keep our schools performing on an exceptional level, fund Dirigo Health, a system that has its flaws but is a serious step in the right direction. We also forget that Great Northern Paper and a few other large mill coroprations have relocated since he took office. Yet depsite these loses Baldacci has still improved our economy and created jobs. Plus to boot, the guy's brother died! I know many won't use this as an excuse for his "lackluster effort" but truly the guy has done an outstanding job. Most say that he hasn't done anything, but as he said at his recent fundraiser with Bill Clinton, "I don't want to take credit for everything, because it's the Maine people who have created this great place, not me." What a man of humility! I agree that he has had his faults, and there are definite policy issues with which I allign more with Pat LaMarche than John Baldacci, but I think when it comes to the tough decesions and viable leadership for our state we have a man who can lead us forward. I just hope that the rest of Maine realizes this before we vote in a right-wing idealogue like Chandler Woodcock or a woman like Pat LaMarche who granted is a wonderfully compotent person, yet someone who I wouldn't completely trust in the wake of a disaster or tough times in Augusta. So, here's to four more years of John Elias Baldacci