Leadership on Health Care from the Pine Tree State

Maine has always maintained a distinctive political character -- famous for its pointed firs, steady habits and unpredictable politicians. At the level of presidential politics Maine went for George H.W. Bush in 1988 and Bill Clinton in 1996; but it also gave 6 percent of its vote to Ralph Nader in 2000 and a whopping 30 percent of its vote to Ross Perot in 1992.

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Me.) fits this state like a glove. Defying the Republican party line on Obama's health care plan, Snowe has nevertheless refused to jump on board fully with the Democrats. In the tradition of Maine's independent politics, Snowe has gone her own route, eventually signing on to the Senate Finance Committee's plan on Tuesday, while still hedging away from any commitment about her final vote on the floor. Maine politicians of every stripe have been lining up to sing her praises as she has become a key player in determining the bill's final outcome.
(See http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=289449&ac=)

Senator Margaret Chase Smith (R.-Me), the longest serving female Senator in history (1949-1973), exasperated liberals by supporting the Vietnam War, and exasperated conservatives by opposing Nixon's more extremist Supreme Court nominees.

Olympia Snowe becomes only the latest Maine politician to follow in this Pine Tree state tradition.