Cutler staying in race, insists Mainers should ‘vote their conscience’

[brooklynite]

Source: Portland Press-Herald

Independent Eliot Cutler announced at an impromptu press conference Wednesday that Mainers should “vote their conscience” in the Nov. 4 election for governor, but he stopped short of withdrawing from the three-way race or urging Mainers to support another candidate.

Cutler said he detests the notion of releasing voters and plans to keep campaigning through Election Day.

However, he did acknowledge the current reality of the campaign, with multiple polls showing him running a distant third behind incumbent Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, who are locked in a close race.

“I truly believe in democracy and the ultimate authority of voters to vote for whomever they want for whatever reason and I don’t think any voter, whether a supporter of mine or not, now needs or ever has needed my permission or my blessing to vote for one of my opponents,” Cutler said. “Nevertheless, I want to reiterate what I said six months ago: Anyone who has supported me but who now worries that I cannot win and is thereby compelled by their fears or by their conscience to vote instead for Mr. LePage or Mr. Michaud should do so.”

Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2014/10/29/cutler-to-hold-press-conference-wednesday-morning/

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. What's the polling split?

As it comes down to the wire, if thing are even, or the independent is ahead, I can understand wanting to stay in. If there's an honest chance you could win, more power to you. If, on the other hand, there's no chance in heck you'll win, and it looks like your run might tip things to the 'greater evil', surely the smart thing would be to drop out. It's his call, but we've seen several instances of Dems pulling out when it looked like the Indy would win if they dropped out, and the Repub win if they stayed, so I'd hope the Indies could be just as strategic.

[MBS]

5. it's impossible for Cutler to win

He's polling at 12-17%, 20-25 points below both Michaud and LePage, which are running neck and neck.

Very disappointing that he chose to be self-indulgent and stay in the race. If he would formally drop out, Michaud's chances for winning would soar, since his presence is drawing anti-LePage votes away from Michaud. Also, the Repugs are working on pro-Cutler ads to "help" him.
Note that LePage's favorability rating is 39 favorable/56 unfavorable (see TPM)
Michaud and LePage polls are approximately 40-40 (with variation from poll to poll); Cutler is at about 12-17%, depending on poll. Note that LePage's favorable rating is pretty much equivalent to his poll numbers. And the unfavorable numbers for LePage are approximately equal to the total poll numbers for Michaud and Cutler- the anti-LePage vote is clearly split between Michaud and Cutler.
Cutler should get out of the damn race if he cares about Maine.
GRRRR.

[AngryAmish]

12. As a Bears fan, I agree that Cutler cannot win.

[edhopper]

2. Is there a chance that the voters of Maine will keep LePage?

How bad much damage can a TPer do before the people of his State wake up?

[RBInMaine]

9. If the vote is not split and we have strong turnout LePage is gone.

[edhopper]

11. fingers crossed

How has every Maine voter not seen they are governed by a lunatic?

[KamaAina]

3. This is like the movie Groundhog Day

It was Cutler's presence in the race four years ago that allowed LePew to win in the first place, although then, the real race was between him and LePew; the Dem should have dropped out as we just saw in the Kansas Senate race.

[RBInMaine]

4. He is effectively OUT. The Press Herald didn't do a good job on this story. Here is the better BDN

version: http://bangordailynews.com/2014/10/29/politics/cutler-to-make-election-announcement-at-impromptu-news-conference-wednesday-morning/

[MBS]

6. Thanks, that's reassuring.

And yet another example of the damage that's done by sloppy reporting.

[jopacaco]

7. We must not re-elect LePage

The Bangor Daily, in their wisdom, recently endorsed Cutler. He is so far behind that he can't win and his staying in the election will only hurt Mike Michaud.
I am hoping that LePage's extreme reaction to the nurse who was quarantined in NJ but has come to Maine will show people what a fool he is. But I know some homophobes who would rather vote for the crazy, corrupt idiot than the gay guy. I get so frustrated with people who vote against their own best interests.

[RBInMaine]

10. Cutler released his voters. He really bowed out but just didn't say so.

[blkmusclmachine]

8. The Nader Maneuver.