What Went Down On The First Night Of The Democratic National Convention

Nathaniel, would you say Gideon is a rising star? She carried endorsements from the DSCC and Emily’s List and won the Democratic primary for Maine’s senate race last month, besting Betsy Sweet, who was endorsed by more liberal Democratic groups like Justice Dems and Our Revolution. But I think asking Gideon to speak is more about helping her raise money to beat Republican incumbent Susan Collins, who is really unpopular, than about making a statement about progressive versus moderate wings of the party. I bet Sweet would have been asked to speak had she won the nomination. As Nathaniel said, polls suggest a tight race there.

Prize for the best background so far goes to Gideon. Look at that beautiful Maine shoreline!

Next up: Maine state House Speaker Sara Gideon. Gideon is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate against Republican Susan Collins, one of the races that will likely decide control of the Senate next year. Collins has long been popular in Maine due to her moderate voting record, but a recent Quinnipiac poll put Gideon at 47 percent and Collins at 43 percent.