Bruce Poliquin

Latest Articles

Big man got the money

State treasurers
Until now, being state treasurer was like being a septic tank. Both attract attention only when something goes wrong.
By AL DIAMON | June 15, 2011

Flotsam and jetsam

LePage’s temper
The list of young Maine politicians with serious prospects of someday being elected to higher office is shorter than Governor Paul LePage's temper.
By AL DIAMON | March 02, 2011

LePage has been surprisingly polite
In the wake of last month's election, I expected Republican governor-elect Paul LePage to provide me with an inexhaustible supply of column material.
By AL DIAMON | December 08, 2010

Plan B

Post-primary predictions
With the end of the long primary campaign, Mainers are facing an ugly reality.
By AL DIAMON | June 09, 2010

Secret desires

Who's going to win the election?
Everywhere I go, people keep asking me, “Who’s going to win the election?” Often, my answer depends on my mood (which ranges from bad to horrendous).
By AL DIAMON | June 02, 2010

The powerless rise

The danger of the unfocused anger of the Tea Party
I’m an even-tempered guy. I don’t lose my cool more than, maybe, once or twice a day.
By AL DIAMON | May 19, 2010

Wrote a song for everyone

Name that tune
Political experts know the most important factor in a successful race for governor is the campaign song.
By AL DIAMON | May 05, 2010

Gonna change directions

Jesus didn’t help Bill Beardsley.
That’s not intended as a negative reflection on the Son of God, who can’t be held responsible for the deficiencies in Beardsley’s early campaign style.
By AL DIAMON | April 15, 2010

Weapon of choice

Gun Control
As amazing as it seems in this age of 24-hour-a-day punditry, there are still issues about which it is permissible not to have an opinion.
By AL DIAMON | February 17, 2010

A fool for everyone

Trimming the flab from the governor's race
Time to dispose of a few inconsequential gubernatorial candidates.
By AL DIAMON | January 20, 2010

Instead of cuts: guts

Raise taxes on the rich? Only one candidate says ‘yes’?
Let’s assume, reader, that you’re concerned about economic and social justice. For those in real need — people who are poor, sick, old, mentally ill, addicted, disabled — you want decent care. You’re concerned, too, about proper funding of schools, community colleges, and university campuses.
By LANCE TAPLEY | January 06, 2010

Gifts of the magi

Who's on the naughty list?
OK, so math isn't Poliquin's strong point. And he's a little shaky on consistency. But are those minor flaws enough to convince Santa to leave coal in his stocking?
By AL DIAMON | December 22, 2009

Future wounds

Brains, spines, and guts wanted
Welcome to the 2009 post-election trauma center.
By AL DIAMON | November 11, 2009

All the right wrongs

The 2009 Gaggie Awards for Political Cluelessness
With the end of another campaign season, it’s time to recognize those who may not have been successful in influencing voters, but were clear winners in eliciting derisive snorts.
By AL DIAMON | November 04, 2009

Orthodox caveman

Maine’s GOP is suffering from a muddle in the middle
Wanted: a right-wing wacko to run for governor of Maine.
By AL DIAMON | October 14, 2009

Sins and promises

Keeping tabs on the tweets of gubernatorial twits
Let's suppose you wanted Maine's next governor to be somebody who'd create jobs.
By AL DIAMON | September 09, 2009

I've got you under my skin

Politics and other mistakes
The first rule for running a successful race for governor is never to say anything of substance about anything. Taking even the most innocuous of positions (Do you think Maine should have an official state skin disease?) will only cost a candidate votes.
By AL DIAMON | June 10, 2009

They wanna be governor

Primary Election 2010
In our typical Portland Phoenix format, here’s a one-by-one look at all the folks who claim they want to be Maine’s next governor. (In our book, anyone crazy enough to say they want that job probably has done something to karmically deserve it.)
By PORTLAND PHOENIX STAFF | May 26, 2010