U.S. Rep. Tom Allen proposed a series of town hall meetings today with Sen.
Susan Collins, saying Mainers don't want to wait until the fall campaign
season to hear candidates' positions on the issues.

Allen invited Collins to appear with him in Biddeford, Rockland, Ellsworth
and Skowhegan, beginning Aug. 7. The Portland Democrat hopes to unseat
Collins, a Republican from Caribou, in her bid for re-election to a third
term.

"Before this campaign turns to formal televised debates," Allen said in a
statement, "Maine voters would be well served if we met in true town hall
fashion in smaller towns with voters who are not connected to either
campaign."

Kevin Kelley, a spokesman for Collins, said the senator already had a full
schedule in August and could not accept Allen's invitation. "But we look
forward to series of debates in the fall," Kelley said.