Once again into the breach, dear friends. Into the valley of death ride the gallant 45 Democrats (and two Independents) and we have Thom Tillis (and a no vote from Rand Paul, which is as good as a yes.) So now is when the pulse quickens, as the possibility of winning comes into focus, “Can we just get two more Republicans?” And of course you know as surely as the sun rises in the east, that Susan Collins is one of the key holdouts that if only she could translate her “concern” into doing the right thing, we would be in a different place. Lucy with the football time. One more *%@$! time.
As Harry Reid said about Collins, “She’s always around when you don’t need her,” and the corollary to that is “never around when you do.” So do we even want to do the mental and emotional gymnastics? This is Thom Tillis’s statement. He’s holding fast because Medicaid cuts are so crucial to his state and this is a synopsis of what’s going to happen for everybody, basically.
The impact to North Carolina will not be a unique one. This is the impact, period. So what is Susan Collins doing? And what is she likely to do? Because according to Newsweek, the voters of Maine are giving her a clear warning.
Republican Senator Susan Collins received a warning about the unpopularity of President Donald Trump‘s “Big Beautiful Bill” in Maine as she considers whether to support the legislation—and as she gears up for a potential reelection race in the Democratic-leaning state.
Newsweek reached out to Collins’ office for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Collins’ seat has proven elusive for Democrats in recent elections. Although Maine consistently leans Democratic on the presidential level, Collins, with a more moderate voting record than other Republicans, has managed to win over independents and moderate Democrats in recent elections.
But Democrats are hoping to flip the seat next year, particularly if the national environment favors the party. Historically, the party in the White House loses seats in the midterms. Collins is viewed as one of the Democrats’ top targets, as former Vice President Kamala Harris carried the state by about seven points last November.
What To Know
A University of New Hampshire (UNH) poll found that Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is unpopular among Mainers, only 30 percent of whom support its passage. Fifty-eight percent, on the other hand, say they do not want to see it become law. The bill includes several provisions that would allow Trump and Republicans to significantly overhaul tax and social policies.
Among Maine independents—a crucial voting bloc for Collins—72 percent do not want to see it become law, while 21 percent support the bill.
Trump is also increasingly unpopular in the Pine Tree State, according to the poll. Sixty percent of respondents disapproved of him, while 40 percent approved of his job performance. In April, he was viewed positively by 42 percent of Mainers, according to UNH.
Collins has been around long enough to know that the first rule of winning in politics is staying in the game. Yes, Trump has everybody terrified. But he can’t really threaten Collins more than circumstances are already threatening her.
As it has been so many times in the past before, we wait for Lucy to do the right thing with the football. And no, I don’t even want to speculate on whether this time will be any different. I’ve been burned too many times before.
That said, the polling numbers you just read are brutal. Collins might take the common sense attitude that Trump is on his way out in all events, and put hanging onto her Senate seat as her first priority. And if she did vote against the bill, it would go a long ways towards saving her seat. Even Democrats who want to flip that seat might feel encouraged by her actually being a moderate, rather than a Trump toady. That said, we’ve been down this road before, with variations of this same logic. We won’t have long to wait to see what she does. That’s the only good news hear. Color me cynical.
You betcha Collins’s priority is hanging onto that precious seat bon the Senate gravy train. The numbers say that the threat to her cushy job is greater from the voters of Maine than from Trump’s potential opposition. Any candidate Trump puts up would be a MAGAt asshole and Maine doesn’t want one of those, thanks anyway. Collins’s only motivation is self-preservation, with nary a morality or ethic involved. I suspect she’s losing some sleep these days, trying to find the path twixt rock and hard place, while those pesky Dems keep coming at her, throwing stones.
I’m sure your analysis is correct, but she makes a moose appear to be an intelligent creature. She’ll hem and haw…wringing her hands. She promised Kavanaugh wasn’t a drunk rapist, although Trump buried 5000 tips handed over by the FBI. She smiled dumbly, saying the rapist/perjurer promised to honor the existing Roe vs Wade, and, then voted accordingly to what the masters said to do. First…she went to Costco to stock up on tissues since she helped the rapist end abortion rights. I suspect she’ll be headed to Costco soon to help her deal with her lack of spine. Very very concerning.
Collins votes yes
Trump cooks the election
She’s nothing less than predictable.
The Tillis statement is no more and no less than is expected of any elected representative. The first paragraph should be put to every GOPer as they cast their vote hand on heart. AND, come ’26/’28, the electorate should be asked if the candidate actually did as per that paragraph.