My first reaction to the “hit piece” on me, a baseless column by Maine Trust papers writer Steve Collins, was to laugh. The guy has no idea who I am, just the GOP’s best chance to be Maine’s next Governor, so he wants to “take me out early.” My second was outrage, how every day Mainers suffer this kind of thing.
Let us start at the beginning, with facts. After all, that is how voters are educated, people learn, “hit pieces” are unpacked, and legal rights are defended. As a former U.S. Court of Appeals clerk, litigator, investigator, and Maine attorney, facts matter.
Fact One: After years of watching my state – where I grew up splitting wood, yes – become a leaderless, chaotic, mismanaged, drug-ridden, unaffordable, Democrat-led mess, I stepped up to run for governor in April. Goal: Fix it.
Fact Two: The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Mainers want change. We raised more money in 75 days than any GOP candidate for Governor in history at this point in the cycle. Beyond conservatives, many unaffiliated and traditional Democrats are fed up.
Fact Three: Having communicated with every member of the Maine legislature – both sides – and given many my book “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness,” doors are swinging open.
Fact Four: My whole life has been about Maine values, taught by the World War II Generation, featured in my other book, “Eagles and Evergreens.” Non-negotiable.
Fact Five: One of those timeless values is truth. Another is love of America. A third is courage, including the courage to speak, not to be shut down by lies.
Fact Six: In 2024, a US Rep. of Somali-origin, Ilhan Omar (D-MN), openly expressed loyalty to Somalia, now mostly warlords and al Shabab terrorists – shocking even her own party. In October 1993, America lost 18 soldiers in Somalia under the UN flag. One was heroic Mainer, Gary Gordon. Think “Blackhawk Down.”
Omar was condemned for her split loyalty, violating her naturalization and office oaths. She backpedaled, said “misinterpreted,” and faced censure for her antisemitism.
Fact Seven: In March 2025, Maine Rep. Deqa Dhalac (South Portland), like Omar, asserted – check the record – that “our nation is Somalia.” No small deal, but unlike Omar, no backpedaling. In July, Homeland Security expressed concern over Dhalac’s remarks, her split loyalty, and what it could mean. It is individual to her.
As a former Naval Intelligence officer who lost seven friends on 9-11, someone entrusted with the Nation’s top secrets, who has served loyally all my life, I believe loyalty to America, like truth, is non-negotiable. Split loyalty is intolerable.
Why? Because split loyalties undermine order, security, the rule of law, and public trust. We are either grateful to be Americans with unrivaled rights, or we are not.
Compounding the insult, Dhalac sponsored the bill on Governor Mills’ desk that punishes Maine troopers for cooperating with federal law enforcement to enforce laws against criminal aliens. So, while Mainers worry about how they will pay bills, avoid traffickers, and educate their kids, she is pushing Somalia aid and illegals.
Fact Eight: For reporting this and delivering a petition to Dhalac requesting an apology – signed by thousands of Mainers – The Maine Trust published a column calling me a violent racist: He is “using the playbook that the Ku Klux Klan employed” and “stopped short of burning a cross on Lewiston’s highest hill.” Frankly, this characterization is over-the-top, hateful “yellow journalism.”
The reality is sobering. Mainers – many just common-sense conservatives – are being targeted. Odds are, The Maine Trust knew these statements were false, in my view, published with reckless disregard for the truth. They never called or reached out.
Fact Nine: If they had read my book, which they claimed, they would know my whole life – from young Maine Eagle Scout to protector of our Nation, Lieutenant Commander in the Navy, centered on principle, integrity, and defending those in need.
They would know I led Boy Scouts in black Harlem, two reaching Eagle; that I worked tirelessly with Untouchables in India; that the civil rights pioneer Jack Greenberg, co-counsel in Brown v. Bd. of Education, was my law professor and is celebrated in “Cherish America.”
They would know my values are as far from the “KKK” as east is from west. They would know I have written extensively and taught on defamation law at Harvard.
For now, conversation beats litigation. But next time: Talk to me, do not sully me. President Trump is right: Cancellation by defamation is not journalism. It will not stop me speaking. I believe too much in a better Maine, and ask you to be part of it.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
RBC, GREAT FACTS about the situation in Maine. You already knew that the Left Demos would start an offensive against you because YOU HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED as a MAJOR THREAT TO OVERTURN THEIR GRIP ON THE STATE. WILL CONTINUE TO BE BEHIND YOU ALL THE WAY TO VICTORY. SEMPER FI !!!
No matter how much you think you despise the mainstream press, you cannot despise them enough. On their best day, they are pure EVIL.
Mr. Charles good luck. Apparently, this guy, Steve Collins admitted that he is a democrat (see article by Ted Cohen and has been one from day one. Not able to read his article but read some of the comments which seem to favor more the democrats and younger people running for office. Young isn’t always the answer. Yes, it is true that young people have more energy (I remember being one of them), but as you age you develop a lot more wisdom and become more knowledgeable with experiencing the learning what the people that came before you passed on to you. I don’t believe age matters that much as long as you continue to remain mentally sharp and you to me seem to be in that category and know what Maine needs to resurrect itself.
Democrats who quite some time ago became very left would not dare to call themselves by true name for fear of scaring people off. Those long life time dems. and children of dems. only see the name, they don’t really look any further, it’s democrat, must be good. They stand for people, I don’t know who came up with that fairy tale but people love to hear it and believe it each time they hear it. Upsetting part is that the young ones are just as blind and easy to fool as the old timers, no brain between them to think with, they just brainlessly cheer on, without any idea what they are cheering for.They have no idea what trap they are blindly stepping into. I guess they have no idea the future they cheer for will be hell , no come back, once the eagle folds it’s wings it’s over. There is only one America.
In that article today by D.J
Wilson – ” The Regal Bald Eagle – Powerful Symbol of America” – she points out several examples of myths, things that have been said about the Eagle that are just plain not true . Lies spread about the symbol of this Nation basically .Some people have minds twisted like a corkscrew and like to distort the Truth . But the nobel Eagle that represents what is good about Our Country continues to fly above it all as a great symbol. May you be like the Eagle RBC and fly above this ” hit piece ” by the Maine Trust . In the spirit of the great work you have done with “Cherish America : Stories of Courage, Character and Kindness” and ” Eagles and Evergreens.”
It continues to amaze me that the party of the KKK continues to denigrate others for who and what they have been and still are. Democrats were, are and probably will always be bigots. Goes with irrational thinking, failure to believe in science and mathematics.
Keep up the good fight for Mainers. I’m sure the attacks won’t stop because evidently you are a REAL threat to their control.
Bobby, I resided in Maine (South Portland / Westbrook) from 1999 to 2011. It was too liberal for my liking, but it has gotten so much worse since I left. The State needs a solid conservative of your experience, character, leadership and values. I know there are some right thinking Americans up there; I’m just not sure if there are enough to get you elected. I will be praying for you and supporting you, no matter the outcome!!
Clearly the Maine print media is no better than the mainstream media elsewhere in the country. They could find racism in a weather report!
It is an awful sign that journalist spread propaganda instead of truthful and equal coverage about all politicians.
I pray that you win the governorship of Maine! I find your articles to be uplifting and encouraging!
Oh brother this guy STINKS
Fortunate are we that “journalists” have mostly disappeared, taking newspapers with them. Another year or two and they will have gone. Primary cause: they became boring and totally partisan. Bye bye!
Reading this, I cannot understand if you want to unite Maine citizens or just separate the state into Blue & Red voters? A country divided cannot stand.