Portland Press Herald letter to the editor.
Coming around to the view that Susan Collins's support for -- and lies about -- the vote suppression bill her party's pushing to avert an electoral rout in November are things that Dems and allied groups should be pointing out, playing up and running ads on? #MEpolitics
Maybe she got confused about which state she represents? #MEpolitics
Maybe it's what she prefers? More and more people are asking this question! #MEpolitics
Susan Collins picking blueberries from a high bush.
On the other site Susan Collins shouts out National Blueberry Popover Day.
Reminds us of this photo and also her failure to stand up for local blueberry farmers facing down Trump tariffs (tinyurl.com/38jsnb6h) or to his lawless grant freeze that hit Maine growers (tinyurl.com/ycxxzw7k). #MEpolitics
Bangor Daily News letter: I believe Sen. Susan Collins has never held President Donald Trump accountable in a meaningful way. In addition, she let this guy off the impeachment hook the first time during his first term as president. In his second term as president, her hands-off status quo in not holding Trump to account in a meaningful way, continues. Hence, I see a clear pattern of falling short in meeting her congressional responsibilities. Mainers are not stupid, and as such I believe the people of the State of Maine will hold her accountable, for cherry picking which of her congressional responsibilities she chooses not to adhere to, at the polls this coming November, regardless of how much money she spends on advertisements. Joseph Corrarino Lincolnville
More and more people are saying it. #MEpolitics
New York Times: Trump reiterated that he would not sign new bills into law until his more expansive version of the Save America Act passes. “I’m for not approving anything, I’m not approving anything until this is” passed, he said. Then, Trump suggested the end goal of the bill is to ensure Republicans win in November and in future elections. “It’ll guarantee the midterms,” he told House Republicans. “If you don’t get it, big trouble, my opinion.”
Trump suggests the vote suppression bill Susan Collins supports -- so fervently that she's been highlighting it as a key distinction with her Dem rivals in her fundraising -- would guarantee a GOP victory in November.
Sort of gives away the game. Collins complicit up to her eyeballs. #MEpolitisc
[clears throat loudly] #MEpolitics
Look we get that there are some strong feelings around the Democratic primary for ME-SEN (!!).
But if you subscribe to Dem or left or progressive values, the idea that your least preferred Dem candidate would be the same as or worse than Susan Collins is foolishness. It's unserious. #MEpolitics
Yes, there is something defiant about it.
Or like kicking a hornet's nest.
Her team is going to spend the period before the general working to solidify her base -- before they pivot to the "moderate" shtick in June.
But the need to spend so much time and energy doing so is a sign of her weakness. #MEpolitics
Susan Collins: You've gotta give me money because I support the GOP's vote suppression bill and my opponents don't. #MEpolitics
Susan Colins vote to defund Maine schools based on the state's common sense, LePage-era policy on trans kids in after school sports.
Hard to see the trans kids in sports distraction working in Maine, especially since Susan Collins herself voted to DEFUND MAINE SCHOOLS over the state's policy -- a wild position whatever one thinks of the issue.
Dems will be able to point to that vote, an abject betrayal of the state. #MEpolitics
Makes sense but worth keeping in mind Susan Collins has successfully made her last 3 races *not* about her character/record.
Some reasons to think that'll be harder in 2026...but absent a more pointed critique than past cycles, it shouldn't be assumed voters will decide on that basis. #MEpolitics
Susan Collins, mid-clap, gazing admiringly at Donald Trump.
Susan Collins with Elon Musk in her office.
Excerpt from Susan Collins campaign solicitation.
Certainly true that Susan Collins has no standing to call anyone else out for tolerating or association with bigots or bigotry. #MEpolitics
There are lots of low-info general election voters out there who know little of Platner yet. Open question how much folks take cues from TV (and Instagram and Youtube) ads anymore, but hard not to believe it will have at least *some* impact.
But yes, agreed Collins has plenty of her own problems.
If Graham Platner is the Dem nominee for ME-SEN (far from certain!) Susan Collins campaign and allied groups will probably spend $100M playing up his Reddit posts, tattoo etc.
No obvious antidote to that but doing these all over Maine seems like a good strategy to mitigate the impact. #MEpolitics
Protesters rallied in front of Susan Collins's office in Portland on Saturday to call her out for complicity in Trump's deadly, costly and dangerous war in Iran -- designed to distract from his domestic failures. (Graham Platner was among them.) #MEpolitics
Janet Mills on Susan Collins, Kavanaugh and abortion rights in America. #MEpolitics
Yes, a lot of the defense of Jared Golden was 'he has to vote this way because look at the CD-2 electorate.'
That was always oversimple, but his behavior since running away from the race with his tail between his legs has been very telling! It's not an act -- this is who he is! #MEpolitics
CentralMaine.com letter to the editor: We need to persuade Sen. Susan Collins to change her vote on the SAVE Act, or whichever euphemistic name the Republicans use. The only rational vote is a vote against it. Collins has recently complained about being unfairly criticized for not standing up for the people of Maine. Her claim is that she always stands up for the people of Maine. If Collins votes for SAVE, she will be blatantly disenfranchising thousands of her constituents. The provisions stated clearly in this bills will make it much harder for elderly people to register and vote. It will cause many women to possibly not be able to vote. Collins may be able to rationalize that this is not the point or intent of the proposals. Their true message and intent, however, is clear to anyone who can read. This is a solution in search of a problem. One would have to be brain dead to think or imply that there is any need, in Maine or the USA, to make our elections more secure. To suggest that there is is an outrageous insult to all the dedicated people who do the important work of making our elections safe, secure and correct. Collins’ constituents voted overwhelmingly against most of the provisions of the SAVE Act last year. The senator should be ashamed of the implications of a “Yes” vote. Don Bessey Old Orchard Beach
Susan Collins's support for the vote suppression SAVE Act seems like a radicalizing event for a bunch of folks:
If she's lying about this -- which they know she is -- what else is she lying about? And what does that say about who she is at her core? #MEpolitics
A spokesperson for Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, did not respond to phone messages or emails Thursday afternoon.
You have to wait till the FOURTEENTH graf to find out that the only Maine federal delegation member who's reaction is actually newsworthy...refuses to take a position.
Not sure what the goal is here but pretty sure it's not "journalism." #MEpolitics
‘Long overdue’: Maine lawmakers react to Trump firing Kristi Noem Noem’s tenure as Department of Homeland Security secretary was ‘one of the most corrupt, reckless and disgraceful chapters in the department’s history,’ one of Maine’s representatives said.
This has become a pattern: PPH burying deep in their story the reaction (or non-reaction) of the only member of Maine's federal delegation that's in a competitive race -- either because Susan Collins doesn't respond quickly or because she'd rather not be the focus.
Deferential junk. #MEpolitics
Jared Golden tweet: Today, I voted against a War Powers Resolution that would have forced an immediate end of military operations in Iran. Here's the full statement I just sent to press: The president has not provided sufficient clarity for why this action was necessary at this exact moment. But servicemembers are actively engaged in hostilities, our allies are under attack and the Iranian regime is more desperate than ever to reassert its power. While I do not believe that an abrupt about-face is a good course of action given the reality on the ground, that should not be construed as my approval. While conflict requires that we remain flexible to shifting circumstances, at this time I would not support Congressional authorization or funding for sustained combat operations.
Jared Golden: My vote to let Trump keep doing the things he's doing should not be construed as indicating my approval of those things.
What a creep. #MEpolitics
Pan Atlantic poll slide showing Platner up 46-39% over Janet Mills.
Fyi Pan Atlantic has fixed this slide from their Maine poll summary so the numbers from Maine's two congressional districts now average out correctly. Platner +13% in CD-1 and Mills +2 in CD-2.
(No explanation of where the original numbers came from. Typo?) #MEpolitics
Who among us can forget Susan Collins trenchant argument just weeks ago for having corrupt trainwreck Noem continue to run the Department of Homeland Security?
"She is the president's choice, she's confirmed, she's there."
(Collins voted to confirm Noem.) #MEpolitics
Susan Collins tweet: Senator Collins is proud to partner with the Social Security Administration for National Slam the Scam Day. As former Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, combating senior fraud has long been a top priority for the Senator. We must remain vigilant against those who target our most vulnerable neighbors.
Days ago Susan Collins sent a fundraising solicitation with a pre-checked recurring donation box (tinyurl.com/2ynw2ucc) -- a scammy, predatory practice the FEC has asked Congress to ban because it has a known track record of duping and exploiting unsuspecting folks, especially seniors. #MEpolitics
What are AMG Pac and VSA PAC?
Feel like there are bunch of reasons to be skeptical of the UNH and Pan Atlantic polls. Makes sense to keep an eye on the trends, but hard to put a whole lot of stock in either's numbers. #MEpolitics
Sen. Susan Collins is backing a bill in the Senate that would require proof of citizenship to vote. Presumably people would need a U.S. passport or a REAL ID when they come to the polls to vote. I guess people could use a birth certificate but how many voters can easily put their hands on theirs? I would hope that Sen. Collins votes against this bill, although according to a recent article she is for it. This is after Maine overwhelming voted against voter ID. Do the Republicans realize that the majority of passport holders live in the blue states? Susan Brickson Auburn
A bit surprised by the outpouring of anger/frustration about Susan Collins support for the GOP's vote suppression bill.
Coming after Maine voters rejected similar measures in November, a number of folks seem to view it as essentially disobedient -- a rejection of the voters' will. #MEpolitics
