Maine requires a senator with energy and grit

In an opinion piece, former federal official James M. Moore argues that Maine requires a senator characterized by energy and diligence. Moore draws on his experience working on the staff of former Senator George Mitchell to illustrate the level of preparation required for effective legislative work.

Moore recalls Mitchell’s tenure on the Senate Finance Committee, noting the immense workload involved in reviewing tax laws, policy papers, and Treasury regulations. He describes Mitchell as an authoritative voice who was consistently prepared for committee hearings through exhaustive study of voluminous records. Moore suggests that this standard of extraordinary diligence and hard work is essential for the role, citing Mitchell’s subsequent success as Senate Majority Leader and his role in negotiating peace in Northern Ireland.