How can Tom Allen beat Collins?

[Shorebound]

Assuming that Tom, as expected, decides to run against Susan Collins, what do you think are the best strategies to bring to bear? She will be an extremely tough opponent, with a lot of appeal to Maine independents who traditionally go for moderates. I would bet that Collins will try to paint Tom as too far left for mainstream central and northern Maine.

[mainegreen]

1. I think he may have to make certain issues come to the forefront that

otherwise might not, like universal health care, the increasing difficulty of crossing the border at Canada and other issues that Republicans tend not to fare so well on. It'll be interesting to see what will happen. Definitely will be a tough brawl.

[Old and In the Way]

2. People understand the stakes.

Tom's got name recognition up here and I would pound on the theme that while Sue might be a moderate in the Republican Party, she's got no influence in her Party and her seat is too important in getting a Democratic majority in the Senate that can start to change the agenda for this country. I don't think it will be an insurmountable challenge for Allen to beat Collins.

[Deep Thinker]

3. I disagree

I don't think he can beat Collins and losing him in the first District is a mistake. Tom is in the majority now and can help influence a new agenda. He can't do that as a failed Senate candidate

[luckyleftyme2]

4. I think he would win by 20 points

Tom has great appeal to the working families.He also will pull many of the female votes.
Collins can't win without the democrat swing voters of which I was one. And tom will get my vote if he runs.(and theirs plenty more like me)
Collins helped run up the deficit and that will be brought out!

[Shorebound]

5. Senator Allen

Sounds good, but Collins can win easily without any Dem votes. She has always drawn a lot of Independent voters. And truth be told, I know a good many Democrats who think she's done a great job, including (sad to say) members of my own family. One of her major strengths is first-class constituent services, and I've recently heard Tom is considered weak in that area.

I agree that Allen would be more effective as part of a Democratic House majority with seniority. Running for Senate would be risky, and I would hate to see him lose his seat, although I suppose it would set him up for a run for governor in two years.

But none of that answers the question that started this thread. How can Tom Allen beat Collins, whom everyone sees as a very formidable candidate? Can we tie her to Iraq? Her position as chair of the Homeland Security Committee offers possibilities concerning the border crossing problems, but she can argue that she's been active in helping Mainers deal with that.

[Old and In the Way]

6. I really don't see Collins or Snowe beatable on the issues.

Neither are corrupt or paleolithic, fundie Republicans. Their key votes are usually with the Democrats. If our candidate tries to make it a campaign "on the issues", we won't win.

The race has to be fought on the meta-issue of which Party has the right vision for the future. We have to educate the Maine voter that we cannot afford the luxury of giving a key, blue state Senate seat to Collins, simply because she's a nice person. A vote for Collins is a vote for the Republican Party and their agenda. We need a fillibuster-proof Democratic Congress if we want to start deconstructing what the Republicans have done over the past 20 years.

[luckyleftyme2]

7. he has a far better chance

he def. has a better chance than woodcock or mills had to beat baldacci.esp. now that
the media is starting to expose the repukes in wash.
oh by the way read newsweeks expose on the court system and the heritage foundation.
the time is right for allen;and i'm one of those ex-collins voters!