Who’s on first?

Or more aptly who will come in first?

If you’re having trouble handicapping the state’s gubernatorial race, don’t be looking to the Portland Press Herald for any reliable inkling.

To wit, two weeks ago the paper’s self-avowed Democrat political columnist told readers he was afraid the so-called independent candidate for governor would end up splitting the vote, denying the Democrats a victory this November.

Now suddenly, in a new phase of metamorphosis, Steve Collins has decided ‘no, never mind, forget what I said.’

Now Collins has decided he had it all wrong, that “independent” Rick Bennett can’t win the three-way race between him, Republican Bobby Charles and Democrat Hannah Pingree. Nor apparently can Bennett help Charles win.

“Gov. Hannah Pingree is all but guaranteed,” is the headline on the latest effort by Collins to pretend he’s able to handicap Maine’s political scene.

“The Democrats’ gubernatorial candidate will likely to sail to an easy win in November,” he now says.

“It’s hard to see a path for anyone to beat Pingree,” is the latest from Collins. “Or even make it a close call.”

Who’s on first?

Don’t trust the Portland Press Herald to tell you with any accuracy.