The Women of Maine Versus Susan Collins

[brooklynite]

Politico

Earlier this spring, Heidi Sampson, a Maine state house representative, and I were both rushing between town meetings, that iconic form of New England government where communities assemble to vote on hundreds of issues ranging from Independence Day fireworks to costly infrastructure projects.

Sampson, a registered Republican who thinks of herself as a conservative libertarian, told me I could expect to hear her constituents, many of whom are elderly, press her on VA benefits and Medicare coverage and access to libraries and food pantries—increasingly common concerns in a state with a poverty rate of 12 percent. But during breaks for bean suppers and chats in Grange Hall parking lots, what I kept hearing were informal referendums on the job performance of Susan Collins, Maine’s senior senator.

Sampson, who is a longtime supporter of Collins, said she wasn’t surprised. “I get phone calls from upset people. I get emails from people. Constituents will come right up and complain about Susan to my face,” she told me. “People get really emotional.”

For most of her nearly 24-year Senate career, Collins has been a quiet, head-down, never-miss-a-vote lawmaker known for an unwaveringly moderate approach that balances ardent fiscal conservatism with a liberal-pleasing reputation for supporting women’s reproductive rights. Then came the polarizing Trump presidency, and suddenly Collins found herself at the consequential center of bitter political battles—on issues ranging from the proposed repeal of Obamacare, which she resisted, to tax cuts and the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, which she supported. She is far from the only lawmaker to have cast deciding votes; however, Collins’ reputation has taken a conspicuously harsh hit. In 2015, after winning reelection with about 70 percent of the vote, she was considered one of America’s most beloved senators. Today, she is the most reviled, derided for her increasingly lock-step party line votes and for the often belabored manner in which she has justified herself. She’s been lampooned by Saturday Night Live; The New Yorker recently satirized her for taking hours of deep reflection before deciding to order whatever Mitch McConnell is having for lunch.

[Happyhippychick]

1. I hope she loses spectacularly

[agingdem]

5. and when she suffers that spectacular loss

she can take her concerned troubled perturbed worrisome ass and disappear

[dem4decades]

2. Collins doesn't want to hear from me, I don't live in her state. I've got news for her, my money

used to go to Maine for vacations. No longer, there's other states that deserve my money, especially Vermont.

[brooklynite]

4. What does that have to do with Collins?

You're aware that Maine has a Democratic Governor and two D Congresspeople, a Democratic State Legislature and reliably votes D in Presidential Elections? And that Vermont has a Republican Governor?

[dem4decades]

6. Collins made a decision that non Mainers don't count. When Maine gets rid of her I'll return.

It's my choice, Maine can decide if they want Collins to screw the rest of the country, I can decide where to spend my money.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

8. We're getting rid of her this time. Don't worry. n/t

[dem4decades]

9. I'll come up and celebrate!

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. spending so much time to reach the wrong answer. that's her!

[colsohlibgal]

7. Enough Is Enough

Time for Esmeralda to go bye bye.