Mainer named Rising Star in politics
By Kelley Bouchard kbouchard@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
Politics Magazine, which covers international campaigns and elections, has named Maine Democratic campaign consultant Toby McGrath one of its Rising Stars of 2010, according to McGrath's firm.
McGrath, who lives in Brunswick, is political director at Maine Street Solutions and campaign manager for gubernatorial candidate Steve Rowe.
McGrath ran President Barack Obama's campaign in Maine, as well as campaigns that helped to defeat recent conservative tax reform measures in the state.
McGrath is one of 15 Democrats, 15 Republicans and 11 independent, nonpartisan or international political players who will be featured in the magazine's June issue. They also will be honored at the magazine's 27th annual campaign-training seminar in Washington, D.C., in June.
This year’s winners include consultants, campaign managers, technological innovators, field organizers and fundraisers who were chosen from hundreds of nominees.
“The 2010 class of Rising Stars is a diverse group of political operatives and strategists with representatives from every discipline and from across the entire political spectrum,” said James Klatell, managing editor of Politics. “These 41 men and women are helping campaigns around the world to succeed in rapidly changing environments.”
Rising Stars are people under age 35 who have started to make their mark in political consulting or advocacy, according to the magazine's website.
Rising Stars are selected for their innovative work in polling, fundraising, media and direct-mail efforts, especially in long-shot campaigns. Elected officials aren't considered.
Former Rising Stars include David Axelrod, Obama's senior adviser and chief campaign strategist; Donna Brazile, campaign manager for former Vice President Al Gore; Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief of staff; and George Stephanopoulos, ABC's chief political correspondent and former communications director for President Bill Clinton
McGrath was nominated for the honor by Mike Saxl, managing principal at Maine Street Solutions, and Glenn Cummings, former speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, who is now a deputy assistant secretary of education in the Obama administration.
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17 COMMENTS
grumblestilt said...
Seems like this election is going to be McGraph's to win or lose. There is no way any of the GOP candidates could take down Rowe in a statewide contest based on the strengths of Rowe's resume and how widely he is very well liked by many top business and political leaders from both parties. However, Rowe performed with all the spring and zing of wet cardboard at the first debate - and that is McGraph's turf. If Rowe doesn't win, much of that should be on McGraph's shoulders.
May 7, 2010 at 1:21 PM Report abuse
my-way said...
nowe on rowe
May 7, 2010 at 2:11 PM Report abuse
Routone said...
Maine isn't red state Alabama. If ever Mainers need to know who Republicans are, they only need to read your anti-intellectual, anti-rational comments. When it's all said and done, Republicans are just playing in a sandbox. You think Republicans will "win" in November? Wow, Republican denial of reality is amazing. I've met more Democrats this time who are so disgusted with Republicans that they will not vote for ANY person with an R before their name, and you think you'll "win"? Wow, wingnuts live in their own fantasy world. It's probably why they don't seem to grasp that it was Republicans who trashed Maine's economy, along with the economies of every state in the United States. Republican: Irrational. Angry. Worthless
May 7, 2010 at 2:26 PM Report abuse
David said...
How on Earth could anyone in their right mind think that Steve Rowe has a chance in the primary, let alone in the general election. He's the least qualified of a thinly qualified Democratic Part field. Libby Mitchell is head and shoulders above him in every respect, including the polls. Routone, Republicans are by and large better educated and more successfully in their private lives than Democrats. But, be that as it may, I think your distorted and angry view has more to do with your own limitations, and the likely company you keep (bitter and angry partisans?), than any ability to prognosticate who will win in November. RIght now, I'm supporting Libby Mitchell. However, if she loses, I would have no trouble voting for several of the Republicans over an apparatchik like Rowe.
May 7, 2010 at 2:37 PM Report abuse
ontherun said...
Obama was HIS responsibility??? He should hang his head in shame!
May 7, 2010 at 2:38 PM Report abuse
pphreader said...
The truth will be told in November.Maine is, has been,will remain solidly blue.There are many Maine republicans (those would be the better educated and successfulones)that are truly disgusted and embarrassed by their party's antics,greed and ineffectual leadership.They now consider themselves Independents.They voted Dem and will probably continue to do so.
May 7, 2010 at 3:54 PM Report abuse
ForJustice said...
He is proud of getting Obama elected; he should hang his head in shame! Soft on crime Rowe, talk’s tuff on crime however has failed many victims of crime. He would fail more citizens as Governor. Hope he is the next Dem dropping out of the race.
May 7, 2010 at 3:57 PM Report abuse
ElSkipper said...
Quote from Steve Rowe:"And I’m proud that one of the very first endorsements any candidate received in this race was my endorsement by the Down East Pride Alliance." So vote for Rowe if you want gay marriage on the ballot every year.
May 7, 2010 at 4:28 PM Report abuse
sandman21 said...
The U.S. jobless rate rose to 9.9% in April, the first increase in three months, but the government’s broader measure of unemployment ticked up for the third month in a row, rising 0.2 percentage point to 17.1%.
May 7, 2010 at 5:40 PM Report abuse
Jack24 said...
If he was involved with the train wreck of Obama's election... Steve Rowe should save his money and get out of the race... 9.9% unemployement, millions of gallons of oil leaking inn the gulf, terrorist getting miranda rights, deficts that we can never pay back??? ounds like a loser to me...
May 7, 2010 at 5:57 PM Report abuse
nonesuch said...
He doesn't look very honest to me. Can we trust him?
May 7, 2010 at 6:09 PM Report abuse
Dee said...
It is good to have an up and coming young person received acknowledgement. However, since Toby worked on the Obama campaign, I am surprised that I haven't received one email on behalf of Steven Rowe. As a voting Democrat to not to hear from one Democratic candidate tells me there is a communication problem.
May 7, 2010 at 7:28 PM Report abuse
barrylincoln said...
grumblestilt, a business leader who likes this guy? what the F are you on, because I want some. remember just because you say it doesnt mean its true.
May 7, 2010 at 7:57 PM Report abuse
SurfGirl said...
Dee, you usually have to sign up to campaign websites to get the emails.
May 7, 2010 at 8:13 PM Report abuse
Jim said...
Steve Rowe reminds me of some old burn out friend. Not the sharpest knife in the draw, but sure is a typical liberal candidate for Maine. How low can we go?
May 7, 2010 at 10:01 PM Report abuse
francis58 said...
Toby McGrath was no Campaign Genuis in Maine Please hand Me a Kleenex so I may clear the Tears from laughing so much at such an Absurdb Idea. Now Folks lets face it Steve Rowe Acts and Speaks like A Dud. He may be a nice guy but he does not seem to offer the Kind Of Leadership one would Expect. Peter Mills is the opposite of Rowe and the other Hack's in the Field. Go Mills and Scarcelli and Send Libby Mitchell Packing back to South Carolina where she Belongs.Dee I cannot imagine why you have not recieved an email from Steve Rowe. Imagine the Nerve of it.
May 7, 2010 at 10:03 PM Report abuse
TheLeRue said...
Sandman, Apparently you weren't in the United States from 2000 during Bush's two terms as President, when he and Repulicans nearly drove America into a Great Depression? Thankfully, it's slow going but President Obama and Democrats are correcting the messes left behind by worthless, deceitful, anti-middle class RepubliCONS. Republican: Ignorant. Angry. Worthless.
May 7, 2010 at 11:23 PM Report abuse