as i begin, i would like to thank john baldacci.and karen and his and how your administration did everything asked and more to make this transition a success. anne and i -- [applause] [applause] anne and i are very grateful and we join all mainers in her thinking of the baldaccis for their service from city to state and to the nation. [applause] this morning when i was up and getting ready to come over, my wife handed me a note from my daughter, and i will tell you, it was very difficult for me to keep my composure. it was heartfelt, it was absolutely terrific, and i just can't say enough about how proud i am of my wife anne and my family for being there for laughing and supporting these past 16 months. this campaign started when they say the first week was who the hell is this guy? [laughter] in about january there is this lepage fellow out there, and then about the middle of may they say there is a dark horse in the field, and done ha-joon mind they were calling me secretariat. [laughter] [applause] well, first and foremost, i am

as i begin, i would like to thank john baldacci. john and karen and his administration did everything i asked and more to make this transition a success. [applause] >> we are very grateful and we join all mainers in thinking -- thanking the baldacci's to the city, state, and to the nation. [applause] this morning, when i was up and getting ready to come over, my wife handed me a note from my daughter. it was very difficult for me to keep my composure. it was heartfelt, absolutely terrific. i just cannot say enough about how proud i am of my wife ann and my family for being there, loving and supporting the for these past 16 months. this campaign started -- the first week, they said, who the hell is this guy? then about in january, they are saying, there is this webpage -- lapage fella out there. then in may they say there is a dark horse out in the field. then on june 9, they were calling me secretariat. [laughter] [applause] well, first and foremost, i am a businessman who served his community as a mayor, now as governor. my pledge

as i begin i would like to thank john baldacci.n and karen and his entire year administration did everything asked and more to make the transition success. [applause] [applause] anne and i are very grateful and we join all mainers and thinking the baldaccis for their service to city, state and the nation. [applause] this morning when i was up getting ready to come over my wife handed me a note from my daughter, and i will tell you it was very difficult for me to keep my composure. was heartfelt, it was absolutely terrific, and i just can't say enough about how proud i am of my life, anne and my family for being there, lovingly, supporting the the past 16 months. this campaign started the first week people would say who the hell is this guy? [laughter] done about january there is this lepage fellow out there. and then about the middle of may, there's a dark horse in the field and on june 9th they were calling me secretary at. [applause] [laughter] welcome a first and foremost, i am a businessman who served his community as a major a

as i begin, i would like to thank john baldacci.ohn and karen and his entire administration did everything asked and more to make this transition a success. [applause] >>anne and i are very grateful and we join all mainers in thanking the baldaccis for their service to city, to state and to the nation. [applause] >> this morning, when i was up and getting ready to come over, my wife handed me a note from my daughter. and, i will tell you, it was very difficult for me to keep my composure. it was heartfelt, it was absolutely terrific, and i just can't say enough about how proud i am of my wife anne and my family for being there, for loving, for supporting me these past 16 months. this campaign started when they say you know the first week was "who in hell is this guy?" then about january they are saying this is that lepage fellow out there, you know. then about, oh, middle of may, they are saying there is a dark horse in the field. then on june 9 they were calling me secretariat. [laughter] >> first and foremost, i am a busine busine