🛬 Here's everything you need to know about Biden's visit. ◉ The BDN's Jules Walkup has what we know about the logistics of the president's visit. He will land at the Brunswick Executive Airport, where armored motorcade vehicles have been seen in recent days. ◉ That could indicate ground transportation to Auburn, which would lead to delays for other travelers because roads are shut down when the president steams through. ◉ In Auburn, Biden will sign an executive order aimed at boosting domestic production of American inventions, a White House official said overnight. (When Trump was here in 2020, he signed an order opening a national monument southeast of Massachusetts to commercial fishing.) ◉ At least one member of Maine's congressional delegation will be attending the visit alongside Gov. Janet Mills and local officials. After House votes were called off for Friday, the office of Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from the 1st District, will be attending. ◉ Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, will not be going, while King and Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat from the 2nd District, have not confirmed their plans so far on Friday morning. Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque and Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline have said they will be attending as well. ◉ Golden's posture here is the most interesting. Trump twice won the 2nd District, which is expected to be in play again during the 2024 election. The third-term centrist has been one of the top Democratic critics of Biden policies, criticizing offshore wind's potential effects on lobstering, taking votes against gun control and spending initiatives and opposing student debt relief. ◉ His opposition to Biden's "Build Back Better" plan infuriated the president's camp. One adviser derided the congressman as effectively a Republican and floated a primary challenge to Golden, according to a 2022 book from reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns. |
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