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Locally fed, globally connected

Guest blogged by Rep. Seth Berry.
It wasn't just farmers and "slow food" gourmands who turned out to join Chellie in Bowdoinham at my house on October 28, but an appreciation for rural Maine's bounty was definitely in the air and in the bellies.

Over 50 from my rural district came by for this last-minute event. There were retirees and high school students, farmers and psychiatrists, home makers and small business owners. They included key leaders from all three towns I represent: past, present and future school board members, selectmen, and representatives, as well as others.

In honor of Chellie's experience as an organic farmer, Grange member, and early MOFGA member, my family went all out to make the menu completely local. We sipped local wines from Sweetgrass Winery in Union, cider from Pleasant Pond Orchard in Richmond, and Pemaquid Ale from Sheepscot Brewing Co in North Whitefield. We ate smoked chicken and maple-cured ham from the Bisson Farm in Topsham, goat cheese from New Sharon, rope-grown mussels from Tenants' Harbor with homegrown garlic, pimento and tomato sauce, a rainbow of vegetables and herbs raised in my mother and Adelaida's gardens, and farmed Damariscotta oysters donated by Smokey McKeen, with an amazing mignonette by Sam Hayward of Fore Street Restaurant in Portland.

Even the music was local, wafting from the fiddle of 11-year old prodigy Milo Stanley - whose mentor, Doug Protsik, is mentioned along with Smoky as a "polka conspirator" in an earlier posting at this site.

It won't surprise you to learn that Chellie's remarks were inspiring, candid, and fundamentally moral. Many guests told me afterward how impressed they were: how perfectly she had addressed their questions about the war, about health care, about energy issues, and about her experiences as leader of Common Cause in Washington. They saw her as a candidate with an unparalleled blend of realism, optimism, and experience.

Fittingly, Chellie's remarks were delivered with the Kennebec at her back, just above Merrymeeting Bay. This is the river referred to by Maine poet Robert P. Tristam Coffin as "the cradle of the Americans;" the river of world-renowned ice, of Arnold's 1775 expedition to capture Quebec and all of Canada from the British, of Wabanaki sagamores and traders who met at the Bay. It is a river that has given Maine its food, its music, its human life for centuries. Just downstream of where we spoke, six rivers united and flowed out to the historic site of the Popham Colony, and the Atlantic beyond.

Just over a year downstream of our sunny Sunday, Chellie will quite likely represent us in the U.S. Congress. I'll be working hard for her, and I hope you will be too. She will face tough issues - some of the toughest we have faced in generations. And like the Kennebec and its farmers, Chellie has the great strength and groundedness necessary to unite us in this common opportunity - this chance to redeem ourselves and our country; this chance to celebrate once again what it means to be locally human, and globally connected.

(Below is a photo of Rep. Berry and Chellie, standing in front of the Kennebec River.) View a slideshow of the brunch.

Sunday in Topsham with Chellie

Guest blogged by campaign finance director Alan Lindquist.

Chellie and I drove together from the brunch at Rep. Seth Berry's home in Bowdoinham to the Holden Frost House at The Highlands in Topsham for Chellie's second event of the day. When we arrived, we were greeted by Pat Hendrickson. We have her hard work to thank for putting this event together.

Pat led Chellie into the Grand Ballroom, where she was greeted by Rep. Leila Percy, who proceeded to introduce her with an original song!

There were nearly 50 people in the room and, after Chellie spoke about the campaign and the issues of the day, they spent nearly half an hour in a Q &A with Chellie about issues important to them - administration accountability, the war in Iraq, veterans care, and health care.

An interesting moment occurred when one member of the audience asked Chellie how takes care of herself while on the campaign trail. She answered that she protects her few hours of down time on her schedule (something I can attest to) and that it is during those times, while either reflecting alone or in casual conversation with friends, that she is able to think through tough issues and find an answer to problems that seem perplexing to her when she's on the go.

The event in Topsham was a perfect end to a beautiful autumn day in Maine. Thanks again to Pat and the host committee for putting it together.

In the photo below, event organizer Pat Hendrickson greets Chellie. View a slideshow of the event at The Highlands.

She stands for all women aspiring to public office

The Sewall-Belmont House and Museum in Washington, D.C., chronicles the history of women in American politics. So, we think it's especially appropriate that they wanted to feature a photo of Chellie on their postcard announcing the first of a series of forums called The Changing Faces of Power: Women in Politics. Moderated by Eleanor Clift and co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the series is free and open to the public. It will explore women's increasing political activism and leadership since women won the right to vote in 1920. Go to http://www.sewallbelmont.org for more information.

Your story could help break the healthcare logjam

How disappointing that Congress wasn't able to override Bush's veto of the SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) bill. Now, millions of children will go without health insurance -- because on Thursday the House of Representatives couldn't muster enough bi-partisan support to squash Bush's cynical veto.

Healthcare isn't a partisan issue or a "special interest" issue. It's a human rights issue, and we've all waited far too long for a lasting healthcare solution. We need leaders like Chellie in Congress, creating coalitions that blast through partisan and special interest roadblocks -- just as she did in passing Maine Rx.

We know that many Mainers like you have a personal story to share about our broken healthcare system. We're collecting these stories to help Chellie make the case for strong measures and solutions. Can you tell us your story? Go to http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/s/stories to send your story to us.

Besides her basic sense of fairness, what gives Chellie the passion to pursue the difficult issue of healthcare? When I asked her, here's the story she told:

I had three older siblings, Roz, Ralph, and Bob. We lost Bob, who was closest to my age, shortly after his 40th birthday. Like many of the unbearable tragedies that mark all of our lives, the eighteen months between Bob's discovery as a new father that he had melanoma with a terrible prognosis until his death with many of us at his side in a hospital bed in Los Angeles were sad and life-changing for all of us. It was an eye-opening view of the complete failure of our healthcare system when his insurance company attempted to cancel his policy as soon as he revealed his illness.

Losing my brother changed my life. Like millions of other Americans, he had to fight the health care system while he fought for his life, a tragedy that no ill person or their family should have to endure. Yet here we are, years later and the situation is even worse.

Too many of us have been through or seen others go through similar heartbreaking situations. Often, it is our stories that bring reality to the debate. Do you have a healthcare story to share? Chellie and I will be reviewing the stories that you send to us, and we'll post some of them on our blog and in our special healthcare section on the website in the coming weeks. It's our way of continuing to shine light on the
healthcare crisis. We hope you'll share your story. http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/s/stories

Chellie used her story, as well as those of many people from across Maine, in the fight for fair prescription drug prices. Chellie's experience with her brother, and the horrible experiences that so many Mainers shared, fostered a sense of outrage and determination that allowed Chellie to build a formidable coalition to fight Big PHARMA all the way to the Supreme Court, where Maine Rx was victorious. It was an extraordinary effort -- and the sort of effort we need to break the healthcare logjam. Chellie would like the opportunity to stand up for health care for all in Congress, but it will take all of us and all our stories.

We're looking forward to hearing from you.

Freeport Dems' spaghetti supper -- fun for all

Posted by guest blogger and photographer Willy Ritch

Friday night was dark and drizzly, which made the Freeport Grange an especially warm and welcoming place for Chellie to be. It was candidates' night with the Freeport Democrats and the smells of a spaghetti supper filled the air. Events like these are particularly important to Chellie because it gives her an opportunity to hear about the concerns and priorities of Maine Democrats, not to mention a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

When it came time to say a few words, Chellie talked about her reasons for running including her longstanding opposition to the Iraq War and many of the things she worked on at the state level.

The Freeport Democrats had organized an auction, and Chellie was very pleased to win both a painting and some Jerusalem artichokes!

Chellie and those who campaign with her get to meet a lot of great people on the campaign trail. Events like the Friday night spaghetti supper -- where we get to see old friends and make new ones -- stand out as some of our favorites.

You can view a slideshow of the spaghetti supper.

In the photo below, Chellie and Congressman Mike Michaud share a light-hearted moment.

"The Chellie Pingrees of the world"

This Huffington Post blog from June of 2006 brings a nice breath of fresh air into all the campaign talk out there right now. With no hidden agenda, Robert Elisberg wrote of Chellie: "It's good to recognize that the Chellie Pingrees of the world exist. It brings comfort."

Read Elisberg's blog post, "Paradise Found! An Actual, Good Person in Government" and find out why he thought so highly of Chellie back in 2006. It's a great story.

EmergeMaine benefit party

The home of Representative Merle Nelson and her husband Lenny Nelson couldn't have been more perfect for the first annual party to benefit EmergeMaine. Its spacious rooms were filled with enthusiastic attendees discussing the mission of EmergeMaine: to recruit, inspire, and train Democratic women to run for public office. NOTE: EmergeMaine is currently accepting applications for its next class. Go to the website at EmergeMaine.org to download an application.

Chellie serves on the Advisory Board for Emerge Maine's parent organization, Emerge America. She was the special guest speaker at the event. Emerge has made some amazing strides in its five years. Mare than 60% of Emerge alumnae hold public office. An additonal 15% of Emerge alumnae are running for office in 2007-2008. 46% of Emerge alumnae are women of color.

Chellie was very excited to have a chance to talk about this subject that is so close to her heart and for which she has worked so hard over the years.

This was especially appropriate since Chellie, if elected the next Representative to the U.S. House from Maine's 1st District, would be the first Democratic woman in Maine history elected to higher office.

Go here to see several pictures from the event.

In the photo below, former representative Merle Nelson is addressing the party-goers.

Pingree campaign exceeds own fundraising goal

In our FEC filing, which should be available online later today, we report that the campaign raised more than $244,000 in the third fundraising quarter. There were slightly more than 1,300 contributors, and approximately 500 of them live in Maine. Since September 30th, we've actually passed the $500,000 mark.

Here's the press release.

Nice fall Sunday for Ingwersens' house party

About 30 people gathered at the home of Henry and Christine Ingwersen on October 14th -- some to catch with Chellie and others to meet her for the first time. Here's a slideshow of photos of the party.

A little more polka in politics

Everything about the gathering at the Phippsburg home of Sherry and Steve Masters last Sunday was perfect -- a gorgeous fall Maine day, onion rings and French Fries made on the spot by Mike Mayo, and the great conversation -- ranging from Iraq and Iran to local school boards. But I have to admit that the appearance of Jeff McKeen and Doug Protsik -- and their wonderful music - really made my day.

Nearly everyone in Maine has probably encountered them or Old Grey Goose at some point, but we had an amazing experience together during my first state senate race in 1992. Last Sunday we rehashed that great night and a political encounter that was so uniquely Maine.

It was the first debate of my first state senate race, held at the South Montville Grange located on a rural road in Waldo County. I was considered a long shot candidate in the district then known as Senate District 12 (today this includes only Knox County towns and has been renamed District 22) -- with 19 towns, including six or so in Waldo County. Everyone always said that the reason it was so hard for a Democrat to win that district was because of the Waldo county towns. Even without that challenge, it was a very Republican district overall -- about 40% Republican, 40% independent and only 20% Democratic, but Waldo was considered the part of the territory that always caused the Democratic candidate to lose.

The invitation for this debate came from Lewis Newell, master of the South Montville Grange. It was going to be their regular bi-monthly meeting, and he wanted to inject a little public policy into the meeting. I happen to be a member of the Grange (also known as the "Patrons of Husbandry," the nation's oldest agricultural organization).

Naturally, I was nervous before the event and came well prepared to discuss all the local and state issues -- from school funding to property taxes, health care to the shrinking middle class (not much has changed in 15 years). As I recall, Master of the Grange Newell got things started with the line, "As the master of the Grange, I will, of course, ask a few questions." His first was about world hunger and, after my opponent and I, the late Jack McCormick of West Rockport, struggled to sound intelligent on that enormous topic, he asked another regarding the treatment of animals.

Just when we had run out of spin, he insisted we take a break for refreshments and a little music, provided by Doug and Jeff. After we returned to wrestle with a few more questions, he kindly allowed to us pause again for what became my favorite part of the evening, which he introduced by saying that he believed that a little more of "this" could change the nature of politics.

Lewis had decided that Jeff and Doug should play again and we should break for a polka. Yes, the dance. And dance we did. Furthermore, Lewis insisted that Jack and I dance together and our spouses do the same.

Sadly, Lewis, with his long white beard and distinctive overalls, is no longer up in Waldo County presiding over the South Montville Grange. Too bad -- if there was a little more polka in politics -- and dancing with our opponents -- I am sure we would all be better off!

MP3 Interview from WGAN's "Inside Maine"

Chellie was interviewed by Barbara Merrill and Roy Lenardson  on October 13th. Click here to listen to the interview.

MLCV's "Evening for the Environment"

Written by guest blogger Willy Ritch. It's his photo, too.

Everyone who was anyone in the Maine environmental community was in Portland last Thursday night for the Maine League of Conservation Voters' "Evening for the Environment." It was a great opportunity for people from all over Maine to get together and talk about the environmental issues that are important to them. Chellie was there, talking to friends and supporters and hearing about the challenges that environmental groups are facing throughout the state.

The featured speaker for the evening was Bill McKibben. Bill's first book, "The End of Nature" was printed in 20 languages and established him as one of the most influential environmental writers of our time. (You can see his article in this month's Natioinal Geographic here.

Lately McKibben has been working to spread the word about Step It Up: A National Day of Climate Action. The first Step It Up was a huge success last year and this year's event, next month, promises to be even bigger.

A central theme in McKibben's talk was the need to not just have the right ideas, but to get out and take action. "I know I'm preaching to the choir," he said, "but now you need to go out and become your own choir masters and start your own choirs." In other words, it's important to have the right ideas but what really counts is doing something about them.

In many ways, that's exactly how Chellie has been living her life--not just having the right ideas, but actually doing something about them. As the Majority Leader in the Maine Senate, she sponsored the very successful Land for Maine's Future bond. Her commitment to environmental issues goes way back to her student days at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, from which she went on to become an organic farmer and one of the early members of MOFGA.

Here's a picture of Chellie at the event, talking with Cathy Johnson, North Woods Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine:

Teamsters Local 340 announces support for Chellie

Chellie attended the monthly meeting of the Southern Maine Labor Council on October 3rd. After her remarks, Jim Carson, President of Teamsters Local 340, talked about the CD 1 race and said that Local 340 would be supporting Chellie in the upcoming primary. This is great endorsement for the campaign, and it's due to Chellie's unwavering support for working men and women.

Friends, music, and barbeque on a sunny Sunday

It's all about community

Last night's gathering took place at the home of Eleanor Kinney and Preston Kelly. I am always so grateful for the wonderful people willing to come out so early in the "political season" to share their thoughts and ideas with me -- and this was yet another great evening of good food, great discussions and challenging ideas and questions.

This was organized by many dedicated people that I am proud to call supporters -- but the team of Eleanor and Jenny Mayher were at the core. I admire those two women for a variety of reasons, but the organizing that they did in their communities around the question of whether Damariscotta should be the site of a Wal-Mart was very impressive -- and was noticed well beyond the boundaries of Lincoln County. I have been on the board of Wal-Mart Watch since its beginnings in 2005 and have been very proud to know that some of the best work in the country on this has been done in Maine (http://www.ourtowndamariscotta.com) and didn't just end with the votes in Damariscotta, Newcastle, and neighboring communities.

This year, again thanks to the hard work and diligence of activists like Jenny and Eleanor, the legislature also passed a bill, the Informed Growth Act, that broadened the debate beyond the community-by-community battles and, again, showed that states like Maine can lead in pushing the questions surrounding big box stores. In the long run, the debate goes way beyond the site fights in our own backyards to the questions of the business model of stores like Wal-Mart and its offshore manufacturing without labor or environmental standards, the dependence on foreign oil to transport goods great distances from other countries and across ours, and low labor standards that don't provide adequate wages or benefits. The list is long and I am very grateful for those people who are willing to tackle these issues at both a local and national level. (Check out another Maine hero -- Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, whose book just came out in paperback: http://www.bigboxswindle.com)

Check out this slideshow of the gathering:

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