Why don't Republicans make more of a play for Maine?

[Smash255]

Maine may lean D in presidential elections, but it would seem to me like Republicans could carry it in the right circumstances.  Since New Hampshire is already a swing state, it would seem like Republicans wouldn't have to do much to put resources into Maine as well.  Most New Hampshire residents are in the Boston media market, and I would imagine that it extends into Maine as well.  And it would seem to me that organizing in and making ad buys in the rest of Maine would be relatively cheap compared to bigger states.  So my question becomes, why do so few Republican presidential candidates try this?

The more Republican and conservative portions of Maine are further north in the central part of the state.  The portion of the state closer to Boston is primarly the Portland ans surroudning areas are quite Democratic.

[Smash255]

Maine has a strong streak that vote for a third party/independent.

Without a strong third party/independent candidate to split the vote, Maine is solidly Democratic.

I'll have to tell that to Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins the next time I see them.

Winning a Senate Election and a Presidential Election are not the same thing.  Not to mention someone in the ideological mold of Collins or Snowe could NEVER win a GOP Presidential Primary.

[Smash255]

It's unlikely that the GOP will nominate a presidential candidate moderate enough to win Maine in the near future.

What if that candidate campaigns on economic issues and downplays the social issues?

Someone who is socially conservative is not winning Maine period, no matter how little they bring it up in their campaign. 

Not to mention, someone who can win a GOP primary is not going to be moderate enough on economic issues to win Maine.

[Smash255]

It's unlikely that the GOP will nominate a presidential candidate moderate enough to win Maine in the near future.

What if that candidate campaigns on economic issues and downplays the social issues?

You are aware that a significant section of Maine's voting base is closely tied to unions, right? Particularly in ME-2, which has a lot of old industrial towns like Lewiston/Auburn. Emphasizing economic issues is a recipe for disaster in Maine too.

In short - "proper Republican" in Maine must be at least economic moderate and social liberal. But in such case most likely he is a Democrat...

Basically.  Can such a person win a GOP Primary in Maine?  Yes.  However, they can't win a GOP Presidential Primary.