The landscape is littered with self-described political wannabes thinking they can take on the party elites to win the big, important races.
U.S. Senate, governor – those are the two big prizes everyone and his brother – or sister – wants.
Few seem to care about the lower-rung offices, such as U.S. Congress. (Sorry Chellie. Though former Governor Paul LePage is leading U.S. Rep. Jared Golden in Second Congressional District polls.)
Honestly, the challengers who want the Senate seat held by longtimer Susan Collins really don’t have much of a prayer.
The only thing any of them can hope for is that Collins pulls an Olympia Snowe and suddenly retires.
Barring that, the realities are that challengers only beat incumbents when the earth revolves around the moon.
It’s a sad tale for those hoping they can change history and planetary alignment.
Few if any will ever be able to ascend the steep incline.
Among the seemingly dozens of people who have announced their 2026 interest in taking on the well-entrenched Collins is Democrat David Costello of Brunswick.
Now, we don’t necessarily need to pick on Costello – he’s got enough problems – but his plight is also rather instructive.
Moreover, he’s a big boy – and if he wants to be a United States senator, he’ll be in for a lot worse than the following:
In April 2023, when Costello was first talking about running against Angus King, yours truly – in a weak moment – sent him the following message on LinkedIn:
Fellow Mainer,
You’ll never beat the savviest, slickest, most-popular politician in our state’s history if you do the following:
*Call him “intelligent and thoughtful.”
*Run on nebulous “constitutional reforms.”
*Describe yourself as a long shot. If you’re serious, then get serious.
Good luck!
Ted
“Yup, unforced errors, thanks,” Costello replied.
But then he recommended reading an op-ed he wrote on “government reform.”
So, after reading the thing he wrote, I realized what I was up against and I sent him the following:
“You’ll never beat Angus King on personality. He’s just one of those politicians who knows how to work a room.
“Sir I really don’t think anyone gives a rat’s ass about this kind of process discussion about government reform.
“If you’re going to beat Angus King you have to beat him at the breakfast table – not with an eyes-glaze-over discussion about how to change the government.”
“I hear ya,” he replied.
But judging from an email he sent Monday to The Maine Wire, it’s more than likely that nothing has changed in his approach.
In the subject line he put, “I’m concerned about Susan Collins – so I’m running against her.”
So far so good.
A little humor never hurt, absolutely.
Then he wrote about how he grew up in Old Town and is the son of an Army vet and union organizer “who died early due to hazardous work conditions.”
“Like many in Maine, I was the first in my family to attend a four-year college and to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree,” he added. “Service has always been important to me – so I spent the next thirty years working in Democratic campaigns and all levels of government.”
“I’ve launched a campaign to defeat Susan Collins and begin the hard work of strengthening our imperfect democracy and repairing our broken federal government.”
Then he talks about how Collins hasn’t done much in the 30 years she’s been in the upper chamber.
“She’s good at campaigning – not so good at representing. She’s managed to walk a political tightrope while the leader of her party upends our relationships around the world and reshapes our government into his own personal political machine.
“She’s told us how concerned she is while the leader of her party ignores the courts and constitution, sics ICE on hardworking Americans, and ushers in a new era of hate and retribution into our democracy.
“Well, I’m concerned, too. I’m concerned about Susan Collins – and with your help, I’m ready to take her on.”
Sorry, Dave, but to win you need to cut to the chase.
How are you going to expand taxpayer-financed services and at the same time cut the taxes of that single mother in Old Town trying to afford three meals a day for her four kids?
Can you assure Maine parents that their teenage girls won’t be forced to share a locker with boys who have suddenly decided they feel more comfortable wearing skirts?
Should Mainers who claim to need government assistance have to stand in line behind illegal immigrants?
Should welfare recipients be allowed to buy soda with food stamps?
Do you believe in third-trimester abortions?
What will you do to stop the Chinese from moving in on our lands to grow pot?
How about some real answers vs. being “concerned about Susan Collins.”
