Just 100 days into Gov. Paul LePage’s Tea Party-fueled administration, his fellow Republicans are fighting back, defeating his push to bring back toxic baby bottles. Now Maine faces a choice between the Republicanism of moderate Olympia Snowe or the more bellicose LePage, reports Colin Woodard.

The world’s top pop star marshaled her followers today at a Maine rally against “Don’t Ask, Don’t tell.” But her unconventional approach—likening gay rights to prime ribs and a “meat dress”—will have to persuade the state’s Republican senators to break from their party.