The Democrats trotted out a former presidential candidate and the Republicans a potential presidential candidate in bids to drum up support for local and state candidates.

Democratic U.S. Sen. John Kerry accompanied Gov. John Baldacci and Rep. Michael Michaud, D-2nd District, on Saturday during a meeting at an American Legion Post in Auburn.

Rep. Tom Allen, D-1st District, joined Kerry and the governor later in the day during a meeting with firefighters in Westbrook.

Republican Christine Todd Whitman, a former New Jersey governor and Environmental Protection Agency administrator, came to Maine on Saturday to meet with members of the Maine Forest Products Council in Augusta.

Kerry was defeated by President Bush in the 2004 presidential election and Whitman has been described as a potential candidate for president, along with Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine.

"There is a national message to be sent in this small state election," Ed Desgrosseilliers, a war veteran whose son is serving in Iraq , told veterans at American Legion Post 153.

Desgrosseilliers and his wife, Sheila, are running for the Legislature. "If you vote for a Democrat, you are saying that you are tired of the same old stuff and the short-sightedness of the Bush administration."

More Democratic and Republican Party celebrities plan to come to Maine to lobby on behalf of local and state candidates.

Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to give the keynote address Monday at a fundraiser for Baldacci. That event will be held 1-3 p.m. at the University of Southern Maine 's Abromson Community Education Center in Portland.

On Wednesday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Chandler Woodcock is scheduled to tour the D&G Machine Co. in Westbrook with Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy will come to Maine on Friday to raise funds for Baldacci and participate in a roundtable discussion regarding women's issues.

Whitman has endorsed several Maine Republican candidates on her political action committee Web site, www.mypartytoo.com.

A self-described moderate Republican, Whitman said she established the PAC because of growing concerns about "extreme Republicans" controlling party dialogue.

"You can be pro-choice and pro-life and still be a good Republican," she said.

Whitman said the president's position on the war in Iraq might influence the outcome of national elections.

"The public perception is that the Republican Party is narrow-minded and hard-edged," Whitman said. "It's hurting us. It's going to be a challenge, no question about it."

Kerry brushed aside questions about whether he was laying the groundwork for another presidential run, choosing instead to focus on his commitment to push for a withdrawal of troops in one year.

"It's time for the the Iraqis to stand up for Iraq and time to get our heroes home," Kerry told veterans.

Kerry also put in a plug for Baldacci.

"You've got a great governor here. Vote for him," Kerry said.

Whitman said she will endorse Woodcock's candidacy for governor.

Julie O'Brien, executive director of Maine's Republican Party, said Whitman may not represent the view of all Maine Republicans, but she demonstrates there is a wide variation of philosophy within the party.

"It does matter that she came to Maine , because it shows that though we may be Republicans, we are never going to agree on the all the issues," O'Brien said.

Tom England, a Westbrook police and fire dispatcher, said he was impressed that Kerry came to Maine .

"Sen. Kerry coming here to Westbrook shows me that the governor has a lot of support in Washington ," said England , who is a Republican.