IN THE NEWS

November 10, 2008
Down East Magazine Selects Pan Atlantic SMS Group as Maine's Best Pollster of 2008

The Tipping Point: Maine's Best Pollster

Tons of media coverage is devoted each election cycle to predicting the outcomes of upcoming races. In the weeks before the recent vote, a swarm of polling firms scoured the Maine electorate hoping to divine voter intentions in the high-profile presidential and senate elections. Each arrived at a different assessment of the state of Maine's major races…

Pan Atlantic SMS Group, a Maine research company, was the only pollster to report results with a margin of error that included the actual margin of victory on election day. They also came the closest in matching the actual result of the senate race, where Susan Collins won by a larger margin than almost anyone predicted. Market Decisions, another Maine firm, was the second most accurate pollster…

The final verdict is that Pan Atlantic SMS is the best Maine pollster of 2008, perhaps because of their familiarity with the state and their in-house professional interviewers. In addition to their accuracy in the presidential and senate races, Pan Atlantic was one of the few firms to poll the other congressional races and two of the statewide referendums, making relatively accurate predictions in those races as well.

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Portland Press Herald
November 6, 2008
In the End, Allen Never Connected

Running against a popular incumbent who appeals to the state's moderate political sensibilities, Tom Allen's campaign for U.S. Senate was too little, too late and too nice.

That's how political analysts are characterizing the Portland Democrat's failed effort to dislodge incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

Collins, who trounced Allen 61 percent to 39 percent to win a third, six-year term Tuesday, deserves credit for running a skillful campaign that played up her strengths and minimized her vulnerabilities, say campaign leaders, political scientists and pollsters who followed the race.

Although Allen ran a determined race, these observers say, he got off to a late start and failed to adapt to a changing political landscape or tie Collins to the Bush administration in a forceful, effective way.

"He didn't really lay a glove on her," Patrick Murphy, president of Pan Atlantic SMS Group, a Portland polling firm, said Wednesday. "His message didn't really seem to resonate with voters." view complete article

Portland Press Herald
November 6, 2008
Casino Backers: Mainers Have Lost Their Chance

Proponents of a casino in Oxford County say Maine "missed the boat" by voting against Question 2, while opponents hope this will be the end of gambling proposals put to the state.

Voters turned down Question 2, which would have legalized a casino for Oxford County, 55 percent to 45 percent, with 87 percent of precincts reporting.

"I think there's going to be a point where somebody who's got a more friendly business climate is going to offer an opportunity to someone to open a resort like this," said Pat LaMarche, spokeswoman for Vote Yes on 2 For Maine campaign. "They'll beat us to the punch."

The contest appeared close heading into Tuesday's election. Dennis Bailey, executive director of CasinosNo!, said his camp was nervous, but late-night returns put the "no" votes handily ahead.

"I'd like to believe this is the definitive vote on casinos," said Bailey.

…Pollster Patrick Murphy, president of the Pan Atlantic SMS Group in Portland, said a June poll found that 51 percent opposed the proposal, 36 percent favored it and 13 percent were undecided. Another poll a few weeks ago was virtually the same.

"I would say the dynamics of this thing really haven't shifted that much," said Murphy.

The proponents' campaign shifted messages several times, said Murphy, including once in the week before the election, possibly indicating that they knew they were behind. And CasinosNo! ran a strong campaign on a limited budget, he noted. view complete article

Bangor Daily News
October 30, 2008
Collins Leads Allen in Final Days of Race by Double-Digit Points

With less than a week to go until the general election, public poll numbers indicate that Susan Collins is leading Tom Allen in the U.S. Senate race by double-digit percentage points.

A poll released last week by Portland market research firm Critical Insights indicates that Collins has a 12-point lead over her Democratic challenger. A poll released Tuesday by Market Decisions indicates she leads by 17 points, while another poll from Pan Atlantic SMS Group earlier this month indicated she was ahead by nearly 20 points. view complete article

Seacoastonline.com
October 30, 2008
Beverage Tax Debated

It's pitted the state's small-business owners against the health care providers, and it's created passionate charges and countercharges on each side - not to mention lopsided war chests. And it looks as if it could be headed for passage.

…Proponents seem to be making their appeal more effectively with potential voters. Last week, two Maine-based polling organizations released their findings on Question 1. Critical Insight gives the nod to passage of Question 1 48-39 percent. Pan Atlantic SMS Group polls show 57 percent in favor, 35 percent opposed and 8 percent undecided. view complete article

Portland Press Herald
October 23, 2008
Surveys: Collins' Lead over Allen Still Strong

Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins maintains a significant lead over Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen in her bid for re-election to a third term, two new polls have found.

In a poll by Pan Atlantic SMS Group of Portland, 57 percent of respondents said they would vote for or lean toward Collins, while 36 percent would vote for or lean toward Allen, with 7 percent undecided.

"She's very much appealing to the independent, middle-of-the-road voter in Maine, and she's avoided being linked too closely with the Bush administration," Patrick Murphy, president of Pan Atlantic, said Wednesday.

Another poll, conducted by SurveyUSA for WCSH-TV and WLBZ-TV, gave Collins the lead over Allen by 54 percent to 43 percent, with 3 percent undecided.

In the poll for Pan Atlantic, a Portland-based independent market research and business consulting firm, support for Collins was slightly weaker in southern Maine's 1st Congressional District, which Allen represents. She has 54 percent of the vote there, compared to 60 percent in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Bangor, her place of residence, and her hometown of Caribou.

But Collins did well among Democrats, capturing 30 percent of their votes statewide in the Pan Atlantic poll and 28 percent in the SurveyUSA poll, a nonpartisan New Jersey firm that specializes in media polls.

Bangor Daily News
October 23, 2008
New Polls Show Good News for Obama in Maine

Two polls released Wednesday - less than two weeks shy of Election Day - suggest Barack Obama has pulled comfortably ahead of John McCain in Maine despite the Republican's recent attention to the state.

Just days after GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin held a rally at Bangor International Airport, a SurveyUSA poll sponsored by WCSH 6, WLBZ 2 and the Bangor Daily News showed Obama with a 54 percent to 39 percent edge among likely voters.

Similarly, a survey taken by Pan Atlantic SMS Group Oct. 14-16, immediately before Palin's visit, had Obama on top 51 percent to 39 percent. view complete article

MaineBiz.com
October 23, 2008
Poll on Casino Shows Lackluster Support

A poll released yesterday by the Portland-based Pan Atlantic SMS Group found that more of the Maine voters it surveyed oppose, rather than support, a casino. view complete article

Lewiston Sun Journal
October 23, 2008
New Polls Show Obama Leading in Maine

Two polls released Wednesday - less than two weeks shy of Election Day - suggest Barack Obama has pulled comfortably ahead of John McCain in Maine despite the Republican's recent attention to the state…

Similarly, a survey taken by Pan Atlantic SMS Group Oct. 14-16, immediately before Palin's visit, had Obama on top 51 percent to 39 percent. view complete article

Lewiston Sun Journal
October 23, 2008
Poll Shows Oxford Casino Support Still Weak; 47 Percent Say They Would Vote 'No'

A poll released Wednesday showed a majority of Maine voters opposed a casino for Oxford County. The poll, conducted by the Portland-based Pan Atlantic SMS Group, sampled 400 Maine voters. view complete article

MaineToday.com
October 22, 2008
Two New Polls Give Lead to Collins, Obama

Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins holds a significant lead over her Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, in two new polls released today. A poll by Pan Atlantic SMS Group found that Collins had 57 percent of the vote, Allen had 36 percent and 7 percent were undecided. view complete article

Pollster.com
October 22, 2008
ME: Obama 51, McCain 39

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PolitickerME.com
October 22, 2008
Omnibus Poll: Obama, Collins, Pingree, Michaud Win; Question 1 Passes, Question 2 Fails

The Pan Atlantic SMS Group released its Omnibus poll on the November ballot races and issues… view complete article

Maine Sunday Telegram
July 13, 2008
Switching Careers

Stacey Breault's job as a refund investigator at Anthem was not a perfect fit. Her days were spent on a computer, when her interests were cooking, entertaining and working with people.

After a merger put her job in jeopardy, Breault resigned, went back to school and opened her own catering business. It was hard reaching the decision, but she has no regrets.

…Mainers surveyed in June by Pan Atlantic SMS Group, a research and marketing company, identified jobs and employment as the most important issue facing the state, with 22.3 percent of those responding saying it's their top worry. The poll had a margin of error of 4.9 percent. view complete article

Lewiston Sun Journal
July 12, 2008
Poll: Obama, Collins Ahead in Maine

A recent poll shows that among Maine voters, Democrat Barack Obama leads Republican John McCain in the presidential race, and Democrat Tom Allen trails Republican incumbent Susan Collins in the U.S. Senate race.

…The statewide poll was released July 8 and was conducted by Pan Atlantic SMS Group of Portland. It sampled 400 likely voters in June and has a margin of error of 4.9 percent.
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Bangor Daily News
July 10, 2008
Poll Ranks Employment as Mainers' No. 1 Concern

Jobs and employment top the list of concerns for Mainers in 2008, but gasoline prices, energy-related issues and the cost of living also rank high.

That's according to recent results of the Pan Atlantic SMS Group Omnibus Poll, a survey conducted by a company based in Portland that asked residents about everything from the economy, to who they likely will vote for during the November elections. Asked what is the most important issue facing Maine today, 22.3 percent of respondents answered jobs.

TransWorldNews
July 10, 2008
Maine Poll Released by Pan Atlantic SMS Group Omnibus Poll: Barack Obama 37%, John McCain 26%

Here are the latest results from the Maine poll by Pan Atlantic SMS Group Omnibus Poll published on USAElectionPolls.com…view complete article

Portland Press Herald
July 9, 2008
Poll Finds Solid Vote for Collins in Maine

Maine voters prefer Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins over her Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, by a margin of 56 percent to 31 percent in a new survey of public opinion in the closely watched Senate race. view complete article

CBS News
July 8, 2008
Poll: Susan Collins Comfortably Leading Allen

While many Senate Republicans from blue states are sweating out their reelection bids, one appears to be in surprisingly good shape. According to a newly-released poll, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) holds a comfortable, 56 to 31 percent lead over Rep. Tom Allen (D-Maine), who is challenging her for reelection. view complete article

Politicker.com
July 8, 2008
Pan Atlantic Group Poll: Obama, Collins Lead in Maine

Presidential candidate Barack Obama and U.S. Senate incumbent Susan Collins, R-Bangor, are in the lead in Maine, according to a poll recently released by the Pan Atlantic SMS Group of Portland.

Also, voters disapprove of the Oxford County Casino project and many people remain undecided whether to send Republicans or Democrats to the Legislature. view complete article

Coastal Enterprises Inc.
FFF Evaluation Highlights

In the fall of 2007, Pan Atlantic SMS Group of Portland, Maine, was hired to conduct an evaluation assessing the impact of the FFF program. The results were overwhelmingly positive. view complete article

Portland Press Herald
October 24, 2007
Question 4 Asks Voters to Repair Parks, Save Open Spaces

Voters will decide next month whether to revive Maine's depleted land conservation fund by borrowing money for improvements and repairs at the state's parks and historic sites.

…Public support also appears strong. A statewide poll of voters in September found that nearly 68 percent plan to vote yes or are leaning toward voting yes, according to Pan Atlantic SMS Group, of Portland.

The support was strong among both Democrats and Republicans, according to the poll, which surveyed 400 likely voters and has a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points. view complete article

Kennebec Journal
October 23, 2007
Question 3: Invest Now, Pay Later

Backers of a $43.5 million bond issue for new buildings and improvements at Maine's universities and community colleges say they expect the measure to pass Nov. 6 – even though voters rejected a higher education package two years ago.

…The Pan Atlantic SMS Group's Omnibus Poll of 400 adults in early September found 65 percent would vote for or are leaning toward voting yes on the higher education bond. The poll has a 4.9 percent margin of error. view complete article

Maine Sunday Telegram
October 21, 2007
Is Tribal Racino Question a Big Deal?

AUGUSTA - Four years ago, gambling was such a hot issue in Maine that activists spent more than $11 million fighting about ballot questions proposing a casino in southern Maine and slot machines at harness-racing tracks.

Now Mainers are getting ready to vote on another gambling question Nov. 6. This time, the issue is whether the Passamaquoddy Tribe will be allowed to build a racetrack with slot machines, or racino, in Washington County, probably in Calais.

…A poll of 400 likely voters between Sept. 6 and 12 by Pan Atlantic SMS Group of Portland found Mainers almost evenly split on the issue, with 47.3 percent supporting a racino or leaning toward a yes vote and 45.8 percent opposing a racino or leaning no. The poll had a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points. view complete article

The Maine Community Banker Magazine
Third Quarter 2007
Spring 2007 Quarterly Omnibus Poll by Pan Atlantic SMS Group

Do You Conduct Online Banking?
While 31.5 percent of Mainers surveyed indicated that they conduct online banking, the remaining 68.5 percent of the sample said they do not. Among those in the high likelihood of conducting online banking:

• Residents of southern (36.4 percent) and northern/downeast (35.9 percent) Maine;
• Those aged 18 to 34 (59.2 percent);
• Respondents with at least a four-year college degree (48 percent); and
• Those with annual pre-tax household incomes of at least $65,000 (55.1 percent).
• Those least likely to conduct online banking:
• Residents of central/western Maine (21.7 percent);
• Those aged 55 or older (20.8 percent);
• Respondents who have completed high school or less (14.6 percent); and
• Those with annual pre-tax household incomes of less than $35,000 (21.1 percent)

view complete publication

Maine Sunday Telegram
September 23, 2007
Business Week in Review

…There's no doubt that Mainers want more windmills.

A poll of 400 Maine voters last May found 85 percent favored the development of wind power in Maine, according to the Portland-based Pan Atlantic SMS Group. The poll had a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points.

You wouldn't know it, however, from the debate that gets whipped up nearly every time a wind farm is proposed here. While the projects are pitched as a step toward energy independence and slowing global warming, opponents answer back that the turbines, roads and transmission equipment would do too much harm. view complete article

Bangor Daily News
September 21, 2007
Passamaquoddy Racino Divides Mainers according to Pan Atlantic SMS Group Poll

Mainers are split over whether to allow the Passamaquoddy Tribe to build a gambling facility in Washington County, according to results of a poll released Thursday. This November, voters will be asked to approve or reject a plan by the tribe for a harness racing and slots facility just off Route 1 overlooking the St. Croix River. The proposal calls for 1,500 slot machines as well as a hotel and conference center. With less than two months remaining until Election Day, Mainers who participated in a statewide poll were almost evenly divided over the issue.

Of the 400 registered voters polled, 41.8 percent said they would vote in favor of allowing the Passamaquoddys to build the racino while 41.5 percent would vote against it. The gap over the racino widens slightly, however, when undecided voters were asked which way they were leaning. With the "leaning" results included, the racino had the support of 47.3 percent of respondents versus 45.8 percent opposed. About 7 percent of respondents were undecided and not leaning either way. The survey was conducted by Pan Atlantic SMS Group of Portland as part of the firm's regular "omnibus" poll. The poll's margin of error was listed at plus or minus 4.9 percent.

Indianz.com
September 21, 2007
Passamaquoddy Racino on November Ballot

Voters in Maine are being asked to approve a racino for the Passamaquoddy Tribe.

The issue is on the November ballot. A poll Pan Atlantic SMS Group found that 41.8 percent supported it while 41.5 percent opposed it.

The tribe hopes to build a racetrack with 1,500 slot machines in Washington County. Voters previously approved non-Indian racinos in 2003 but rejected full tribal gaming. view complete article

MaineToday.com
September 20, 2007
Patrick Murphy, President of Pan Atlantic SMS Group, Appointed by Governor Baldacci to the Board of the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)

Senate Confirms Baldacci Nominees

AUGUSTA - The Maine Senate, with occasional dissents by some members of the Republican minority, routinely approved several dozen nominees put forth by Gov. John Baldacci at a special confirmation session Thursday, including Superior Court Justice Ellen Gorman for a seat on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

Nominees for a variety of posts had won endorsements from the legislative committees that screened them so none was in peril, because it would take Senate votes of two-thirds or better to block confirmation.

…Additionally, four nominees were cleared for the Finance Authority of Maine - Brent Cross of Bangor, Terry MacTaggart of Hampden, Patrick O. Murphy of Portland and Susan Snowden of Scarborough - and three for the Maine State Housing Authority- Elizabeth Mahoney of Cumberland, Timothy M. O'Neil of South Portland and former legislator Barbara Trafton of Auburn. view complete article

Maine Office of Substance Abuse Selects Pan Atlantic SMS Group to Conduct the 2008 Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Survey

Pan Atlantic SMS Group was chosen in a competitive bidding process to conduct a statewide survey of all Maine school students in grades 6 - 12 on drug and alcohol use issues. It is expected that approximately 80,000 Maine students will participate in the survey, which is conducted every two years. Nearly 340 Maine middle and high schools participated in the last MYDAUS survey in 2006.

This is the 6th consecutive MYDAUS project which Pan Atlantic SMS Group will conduct for the Maine Office of Substance Abuse.

Portland Press Herald
September 17, 2007
Conflict in the Wind

There's no doubt that Mainers want more windmills. A poll of 400 Maine voters last May found 85 percent favored the development of wind power in Maine, according to the Portland-based Pan Atlantic SMS Group. The poll had a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points. view complete article

Portland Press Herald
August 10, 2007
Snowe Praised for Stand On Iraq

…In a separate statewide poll, conducted in May by Pan Atlantic SMS Group of Portland, 60 percent of Mainers said they wanted the United States to set a timetable for withdrawing its troops from Iraq and stick with it. Only 31 percent of Mainers said U.S. troops - 162,000 strong this week - should remain in Iraq for as long as it takes to secure the country. That telephone survey of 400 Maine voters, had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent. view complete article

Seacoast Online
July 4, 2007
All for Consolidation

…According to statewide polls, Gardner may not be as alone as she feels. A quarterly poll of 400 Maine residents conducted by Pan Atlantic SMS Group of Portland in early May showed that 47.5 percent of Mainers said they supported "the consolidation of Maine's school districts from the current number of 290 to approximately 75 to 80 districts in order to increase the efficiency of municipal systems and save tax dollars." The poll calculated that 37.3 percent were opposed, while 15.3 percent said they had no opinion. Support for consolidation was highest among males, people with incomes above $35,000, and residents of central, western and southern regions of the state. view complete article

Portland Press Herald
June 8, 2007
Reaction: "A Wonderful Idea," or Just "Leave Things Alone"

…A poll earlier this month by Pan Atlantic SMS Group of Portland showed that many Mainers support district consolidation. Of those polled, 47.5 percent said they supported the consolidation to increase efficiency and save tax dollars; 37.3 percent were opposed and 15.3 percent said they had no opinion. Four hundred Maine residents were polled between May 10 and 16. view complete article

The Lewiston Sun Journal
June 5, 2007
Poll: Cut School Administration

When asked if Maine should cut the number of school administrative districts from 290 to 75 to 80, a proposal being considered by state legislators, less than half said yes. In the recent poll: 47.5 percent said they favored less school administration; 37.3 percent said they did not, and 15.3 percent said they didn't know. The numbers show some support for something Gov. John Baldacci has been saying needs to happen, said Patrick Murphy of Pan Atlantic SMS Group, the firm that conducted the poll.

The Mitchell Institute
December, 2006
Barriers to College in Maine

This past week, the Mitchell Institute and Pan Atlantic SMS Group began a statewide survey of Maine parents, high school students, young adults and educators as part of a major study of barriers to college. view complete article

Maine Townsman
November, 2006
2006 Membership Survey

As a part of its strategic and business planning process, the Maine Municipal Association conducts a comprehensive evaluation of member satisfaction and service needs every five years. (The last survey was conducted in 2001). Early in 2006 the MMA selected Pan Atlantic SMS Group, a strategic market research and consulting firm based in Portland, Maine to conduct a comprehensive survey of its membership. view complete article

Maine Townsman
November, 2006
TABOR and Membership Survey

…Included in this month's Townsman is a pullout article reporting on the results of the Association's 2006 Membership Survey. Patrick Murphy, President of Pan Atlantic SMS Group, the strategic market research firm MMA engaged to conduct this year's survey, wrote this article that provides an overview of the survey results and findings. view complete article

Portland Press Herald
November 9, 2006
Research Firm Merges with Marketing Consultant

Portland-based Pan Atlantic Consultants, a marketing consulting firm founded in 1985, and Strategic Marketing Services, a strategic marketing research firm founded by the Guy Gannett Publishing Co. in 1982, have merged to become Pan Atlantic SMS Group.

The new company provides a range of market research, marketing consulting and training services to regional, national and international clients in the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

Portland Press Herald
September 26, 2006
TABOR Losing Support, Poll Finds

Support for the so-called Taxpayers Bill of Rights, a measure that will be voted on in November, has decreased since July, according to a poll of 400 Maine voters released Monday.

The Strategic Marketing Services poll taken this month showed that supporters of TABOR, the proposal's common name, still have an edge, but opponents have closed the gap since the firm's previous survey in July.

The poll also showed an increase in undecided voters, which observers said may be the result of conflicting information from interest groups on both sides of the debate.

Boston Globe
July 31, 2006
Poll Shows Support for Baldacci, Other Top-of-Ticket Incumbents

PORTLAND, Maine –Gov. John Baldacci, U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe and Maine's two congressmen held substantial leads in a poll released Monday, slightly more than three months before Election Day.

The Strategic Marketing Services survey also indicated that Mainers were confident that the Boston Red Sox will win the World Series.

In the gubernatorial contest, 42 percent of respondents said they would vote for or lean toward Democrat Baldacci, compared to 24 percent for Republican Chandler Woodcock. Independent Barbara Merrill and Green Independent Pat LaMarche each had 3 percent. view complete article

Morning Sentinel
August 29, 2005
Bounce for Baldacci?

AUGUSTA – He was exhausted when he went to bed last Tuesday night. But with votes on the fate of three Maine military bases only hours away, Gov. John Baldacci was wide awake before 2 a.m. Wednesday, fearing what he later called "an economic clearcut" that would decimate Maine from one end of the state to the other.

In the Cabinet Room at the State House later that morning, Baldacci looked weary and drawn, his gaze fixed on a television set as the Base Realignment and Closure Commission voted to close the Brunswick Naval Air Station. By Friday, though, the governor was a politician reborn.