Hey, Big Spender ; John Baldacci Enjoyed a Groundswell of Support When He Became the First Democratic Governor in 16 Years. But the State's Profligate Ways Have Eroded Much of the Goodwill That First Greeted Him. Series: Eye On Augusta\ About This Series This Is One in a Series of Occasional Guest Commentaries Examining Issues and Policies of State Government.

Portland Press Herald › May 15, 2005

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Summary

Are the wheels coming off the Baldacci Express?

Maybe not, but the iron juggernaut that was John Baldacci's governorship when he was elected in 2002 is leaking some steam.

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Hey, Big Spender ; John Baldacci Enjoyed a Groundswell of Support When He Became the First Democratic Governor in 16 Years. But the State's Profligate Ways Have Eroded Much of the Goodwill That First Greeted Him. Series: Eye On Augusta\ About This Series This Is One in a Series of Occasional Guest Commentaries Examining Issues and Policies of State Government.

A recent national survey by SurveyUSA of all U.S. governors put Baldacci in 39th place, with only 37 percent of the 600 Mainers polled giving him a "favorable" rating. A full 55 percent viewed him unfavorably, with the rest undecided (the poll had a 4.1 percent margin of error). Previous polls in Maine have given Baldacci high ratings, well above the 60th percentile. And while polls may vary, it's clear that an...

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