PORTLAND, Maine — It was another busy week of politics in Maine and across the country.
From the release of Hostages by Hamas to President Joe Biden mistaking Taylor Swift for Britney Spears, our political analysts weighed in on the top political stories of the week.
Hamas hostages released
A four-day cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas War is in effect, allowing for the release of some of the estimated 240 hostages taken by the terrorist group. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said in a statement: "We must work with Israel and the international community to bring a permanent end to the horrific violence and war in the region..."
PHIL: "The Israelis have made it very clear they are going to push ahead until they eliminate Hamas. And I don't think there's any change in that position either."
ETHAN: "I think we all should be calling for, you know, the end to the violence there. And I think a lot of people are calling for a cease-fire and thank goodness that we at least have one, however long this lasts to give a little breath, to get some humanitarian aid into Gaza, and, of course, to make sure that these hostages come home. But, you know, the biggest thing that I think we're seeing is just—and tremendous kudos to the Biden administration, in this case, working incredibly hard behind the scenes, negotiating between the Israeli government, Egypt, Qatar—trying to make sure 'How do we get there?' And from what we hear, Biden had to pressure both sides to accept less than what they wanted."
PHIL: "That more progress needs to be made a good start, but it's a long way to the finish line."
Trump on Maine ballot
In the 2024 race for the White House, former President Donald Trump is officially on the ballot in Maine. Volunteers and supporters gathered outside the state house in Augusta before submitting signatures. Advocates said they are hoping to get more votes in Maine's first congressional district this time around. Trump previously split Maine's electoral votes.
ZACH: "They say the goal is to get more votes for Maine's first congressional district this time around. That's likely to be a challenge though."
PHIL: "For sure, No question about it. I think it's most important to make sure they can hang on to the second congressional district because we split our Electoral College votes, make sure that's secured, and whatever progress you can make in the first district. Good for him."
ZACH: "So are you implying that they might not even be able to secure the second district?"
PHIL: "I don't think they should take it for granted. My point is that this is a new election. New conversations from older people, so to speak, in the race. Don't take anyone for granted."
ETHAN: "They're never going to win the first CD. I think we probably agree with that. I think it's a very big stretch for them to even think about winning the state. Only the second CD. And there's a decent chance he's won it twice. So he's the only one to have ever split our electoral votes that way. So he's probably going to split them again."
President Biden & Taylor Swift Mishap
President Joe Biden mistook Taylor Swift and Britney Spears while speaking at the annual pardoning of the turkey event. Republicans pounced on the incident to say Biden is unfit for office.
PHIL: "Everybody who's been following the president can agree that his cognitive abilities have diminished over time. But I want to acknowledge that I probably wouldn't be able to tell you the difference between Taylor Swift and Britney Spears."
ETHAN: "I mean, this is the silliest of the silly, the Republican Party. I mean, those of us who talk for some part of our living, we always mess up words... But it's silly, you know, in the same week that President Biden has been able to negotiate hostages being released from Gaza and making sure that there's a cease-fire in place during that same week, this is what Republicans want to talk about. The American people are like, 'Give me a break.' The president is doing the job that they expect him to do."
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