In a self-aware attempt to cash in on the Olympics, the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine staged a race today at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland to showcase the "Chemical Olympics". The stunt highlighted the comparative efforts of various countries to keep their citizens safe from chemical pollution.

The story of Susan Collins gossiping about John Edwards affair has spread far and wide in both traditional and electronic media. Here's the story from WGME: Jeff Parsons, the morning show host who posted the original video to the internet, has a compendium of the coverage so far on his blog: Portland Press Herald - Probably the most entertaining comments of the bunch WCSH 6 WGME 13 - Thanks for the link! ABC News Collins Watch - Thanks for the link! TPM Election Central Turn Maine Blue - I commented h

Collins Watch found some interesting video of the Senator's appearance on the Q morning show yesterday where she gleefully gossips about John Edwards' extramarital affair. The full 20-minute video is here. Here are the highlights:

Senator Susan Collins will be launching a new ad tomorrow, this one on the hot-button issue of defibrillators. The ad does what it's meant to - it portrays Collins as a helpful force for Maine without discussing any contentious issues. My heart goes out to Mr. Poulin and his family for what they went through during his cardiac arrest. The fact that he died and was brought back to life, however, may classify him as a zombie, and I'd like to state here and now that zombies should have no place in our pol

Here's some video of the anniversary celebration of the politically-connected Lewiston eatery from WLBZ, including a cameo from Susan Collins. The Twin City Times has a full spread on the hot dog stand (see page 22).

Bonnie Raitt will play a sold-out concert tonight at Portland's Merrill Auditorium in support of Tom Allen's Senate campaign.

Local organizations that are members of Health Care for America Now, a national group pushing for health care reform, rallied in Augusta yesterday. They quoted a recent report which shows Anthem, the largest health insurance provider in Maine, making profits that have increased by 89% since 2004. Anthem's membership has increased by only 2.4% over the same period.

Tom Allen's first TV ad of the election will begin airing this Sunday. The spot, titled "Change", is a positive and dynamic ad. It highlights a litany of issues where his record is stronger than Senator Collins'. The Allen campaign is also launching a radio ad, titled "100 differences", which can be heard here.