What a difference 2 years makes (Convention Notes)

A sweatered Marie Doucette of Saco, seen here thumbing through the convention program, said this convention was "great." (Harrison Thorp photo)

It was hard to believe that this same convention was the sight of surreal chaos two years ago when Ron Paul backers took over the floor and elected a majority slate of delegates for their candidate.

More moderate Republicans ultimately fought that decision and half of the delegates were replaced with Mitt Romney supporters. The resentment lingered, but is evident no more.

This year, unlike last time, delegate credentials were heavily scrutinized by security, especially on Friday, the first day.

I was waiting to have to take off my belt and shoes, but it didn’t go that far.

Throughout the weekend it became obvious this was a unified party. The only fireworks of any sort came Saturday when 2nd District primary opponents Bruce Poliquin and Kevin Raye went at it in back to back stump speeches during which they pulled no punches in deriding their opponent.

Cross Insurance Center is top-notch

The Cross Insurance Center in Bangor is a wonderful facility for a convention, which the Democrats will find out later this month.

A spud and a Bud: A 'Mainetini' and a Bud Light paired delightfully at U.S. Susan Collins' hospitality suite on Saturday.

It is likely, however, the only platform the two parties share will be the staging from which their respective conventions were run.

Speaking of conventions being run, House Speaker Bob Nutting, who ran the show end to end with a strong gavel and an easy wit, went a long way toward making everything run so smoothly.

Ranking the hospitality suites

Maine’s senior Senator in the U.S. Senate, Susan Collins, gets kudos over Gov. LePage for her hospitality suite vittles, what I call a “Mainetini,” sumptuous Maine whipped potatoes topped with your choice of fixins: chives, cheese, bacon, horseradish and sour cream spooned into a large martini glass. Collins’ epicurean offerings also included some of the biggest shrimp we’ve seen in a while.

LePage’s spread wasn’t exactly chopped liver though: lots of assorted yummy vegetables including fresh asparagus and gouda cheese were all there for the munching.

STANDING WITH BRUCE WAS QUITE A RELIEF: His message was ubiquitous on urinals throughout the Cross Center. Maybe he was trying to convey a sense of urgency.

Alas, we have to say that after attending the hospitality suites beginning around 5 and washing down several beers with said hors d'oeuvres, the Chairman’s Reception from 9-midnight was not a realistic expectation and we retired thusly to the HoJo’s, which by the way had balky Internet capability and is now off my Bangor motel short list!

Ladies and gentlemen start your slot machines

Just across the street from the Cross Center, the Hollywood Casino beckons gamblers from across the Bangor Area, Downeast and all across Maine, not to mention the province of Brunswick.

It also is home to the Epic Buffet and a very nice luncheon nook where many delegates enjoyed their noonday meal. Lots of tasty hot sandwiches and reasonably priced and generous salads. Cobb or Chef, just $5.99.

And yes, I did throw about $20 bucks into a couple of slots. Question: Did I win? Answer: You see I’m still working.