With less than two weeks remaining before the election, Olympia Snowe, Republican Senator of Maine, has the power to rescue this once great nation, if only she would.....

"Citizens of Maine,

 "I have gratefully served for many years as your Senator, and I believe that I have done so with distinction and integrity.  It is integrity that compels me to announce NOW, BEFORE the election, that I am switching my party affiliation to Democrat.

 "I have always been proud to represent the Republican party ideals of fiscal responsibility, limited intrusion into our personal lives, and prudent use of our awesome military might.

"Unfortunately, the Republican party of 2006 is NOT representative of those ideals.  The Republican party of 2006 has been corrupted by its unchecked power and has failed in large part to promote the nation's common good.

 "This Republican congress, to the detriment of us all, has failed in its responsibility to exercise oversight of the Bush administration's policies.

 "This lack of oversight and refusal to entertain reasoned, principled debate has resulted in:

 "A disastrous, ill conceived misadventure in Iraq;

 "A failure to prosecute the war on terror with adequate resources;

 "Rampant cronyism which staffs vital government departments with political hacks;

 "The confirmation of extreme ideologues to the nation's judiciary;

 "Ever expanding executive power;

 "Abandonment of our core constitutional principles;

 "A federal budget swollen by special interest earmarks hidden from public scrutiny;

 "Health care held hostage by the insurance and pharmacuetical industries;

 "And tax policies that encourage and reward the exportation of manufacturing jobs.

"Over the years I have attempted to be a  moderating influence in a Republican party moving inexorably to the far right.

 "With agonizing deep reflection I have concluded that strong medicine is required to heal the nation's ills.

 "With a Republican president steering us on an ever more dangerous course it is imperative that control of the Senate and the House be returned to the Democratic party for the two years remaining of the Bush administration.

 "I recognize that many of my Republican constituents will feel that I've abandoned them, and will be tempted to sit out this election.  I implore you not to do so.  I remain committed to continuing to serve the interests of ALL of Maine's citizens.

"Thank you, and God bless."