A group of progressives is already trying to draft a replacement for retiring Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine). The Progressive Change Campaign Committee, in an email to members on Tuesday, attempted to line up backers for Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine)

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee is set to announce some surprising fundraising numbers this morning — and the key is that the group’s totals this cycle have already surpassed its 2010 numbers, even though 2012 is just getting started. The PCCC’s fundraising does tell us one important thing about the state of the Dem base right now — it is in fact very energized when it comes to supporting candidates who unabashedly articulate a strong progressive platform. There seems to be a hunger for such candidates among grassroots Dems across the country.