quote:

"I don't think having a partisan approach to an issue that affects one-sixth of our economy and affects millions of Americans is the right way to go," Collins said.

Rather odd statement considering not a single "republican" voted for the o-show. If it was so great why didn't she vote for it then - oh that's right she would have lost her reelection.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

She should resign now and have LePage appoint himself the replacement. Re-election in 2020 is almost a certainty for him (98%).

Re-election as a Senator? Possibly, but I wouldn't count on it, Maine is a Democrat/Welfare (but I repeat myself...) state. Paul LePage is a "get off yer ass and earn your own living" guy.

Shame he's term-limited as governor.

Professional politicians, pfah. Governors want to become senators, senators want to become governors.

It's all about money and power.

That's nice. But the rest of us are all about the impact on the rest of us. And, in this case, there will be an impact on the rest of us.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:

quote:

Maine won't elect a true conservative.

Then (and I mean no offense) do the rest of us really have all that much to lose? Susan's already made it clear she expects to get something for the sacrifice she's making by remaining in the Senate.

Because of two very important considerations. First, her presence in the senate is important to having a republican leader. I really don't care what you think about Mitch McConnell; he's still better than Harry Reid or Chuck Schumer. The Majority Leader controls the senate agenda and thus is extremely important to what bills get considered in the senate and whether or not the senate can work with the house and the whitehouse.

Second, judges. Collins will vote for judges that Democrats will not vote for, and furthermore, the fact that her presence ensures republican leadership, ensures that our kind of judges will even get a hearing. Remember, Mitch McConnell prevented the consideration of Merrick Garland during the last months of the Obama regime. The presence of people like Susan Collins is essential for these things to be possible.

We don't have to like her or respect her, but an R beats a "D" or an "I" any day of the week.

I have lived in Maine, and in other parts of New England for good chunks of my life. PH Paul lives there now. There is no way you are going to get a "real" conservative out of that part of New England at this time. Susan Collins might not be as good as it gets, but she is better than the alternatives.

Well, then I guess either way it boils down to whether we can put more Rs in the Senate in 2018. The problem with that is that we all know what Trump is quietly getting done, but we need some reasonable prospect of legislative results to feed downballot election turnout. Yes, McConnell is the best of the bad choices. No, he's not focused on building a bigger majority so much as he's focused on holding on to a bare majority by treating Senators from two states as though they're hothouse flowers.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
She should resign now and have LePage appoint himself the replacement. Re-election in 2020 is almost a certainty for him (98%).

Re-election as a Senator? Possibly, but I wouldn't count on it, Maine is a Democrat/Welfare (but I repeat myself...) state. Paul LePage is a "get off yer ass and earn your own living" guy.

Shame he's term-limited as governor.

If we could get Susan Collins out of the US Senate and put Paul LePage in her place, the entire US would owe Maine our gratitude.
It would certainly make a difference in the Senate.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
Well, then I guess either way it boils down to whether we can put more Rs in the Senate in 2018. The problem with that is that we all know what Trump is quietly getting done, but we need some reasonable prospect of legislative results to feed downballot election turnout. Yes, McConnell is the best of the bad choices. No, he's not focused on building a bigger majority so much as he's focused on holding on to a bare majority by treating Senators from two states as though they're hothouse flowers.

I can't argue with any of that. If we could get a bigger majority of real conservatives, I wouldn't give a damn about Ms. Collins or any of the other squishes we are currently stuck with.

she isn't a republican now - she's the female version of McCain

so who cares

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
she isn't a republican now - she's the female version of McCain

so who cares

Read what Artie S posted above. It's called "Majority Party."

She is from Northern Maine, a traditionally conservative Republican area. However, she is astute enough to spend her time sucking up to the southern part of Maine where most of the votes are, and they are liberal Democrats. Show me a Republican senator in a blue state, and I'll show you a Democrat at heart. Conversely, show me a Democrat in a red state and I'll show you someone pandering to the Republican party. That's the way it is, because they have counted the votes and they want to remain in power, forever. Whatever she does, she will NEVER have my vote for anything, and we are Mainers that vote.

Well, she's decided to stay in the Senate so she can block any conservative legislation or anything Trump tries to do.

Collins declines run for Maine governor

I wonder if the REPs can find someone to run against Angus King in 2018.

Current Gov LePage is term limited and cannot run for reelection in 2018.

LePage thought about challenging Angus King, but he doesn't like President Trump. Too bad.

He doesn't have to, and he can run in 2020. Time to primary Susan.

I'd rather have her in the Senate than a real lefty, which is what I think would be elected if she didn't run.

Thus the interest in LePage - he's proven he can win a state-wide election.