This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and news analysis.
With the impeachment of Donald J. Trump, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is again in the national spotlight, as she looks like she just might vote to hear witnesses at the Senate trial. That impending Collins vote became especially crucial this morning, when new allegations against Trump’s involvement in the Ukraine pressure scheme surfaced in the unpublished manuscript of ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton’s new book. Collins indicated on Twitter the news may sway her vote, arguing the accusations “strengthen the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversation among my colleagues.” If Collins votes to allow additional documents and witnesses, she’d be one of the few Republicans to do so. If it happens, it’s likely she’ll be lauded for her independence, and headlines in Maine will likely make this their focus.
At this rate, she’ll be “very concerned” by Friday afternoon. May even need “serious thought” by Sunday. Goodness – it may even require that she “receive assurances” by Monday, and wouldn’t that be something!
she’ll only do the ‘right’ thing if she gets the permission of the abomination and moscow mitch. she’s hardly an independent thinker and will not stray from the herd without prior approval.
Collins indicated on Twitter the news may sway her vote, arguing the accusations “strengthen the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversation among my colleagues.”
No, the case for having witnesses has always been at maximum strength. This is a trial of the president of the United States of America for crying out loud! Of course there should be witnesses! Duh!!
As a Mainer, I’d say this is possible. There’s way more animosity towards Sue than there has been in past years. It’s really been a slow boil since her last election but the Trump era has truly revealed her lack of moral courage, which is what people thought they were voting for in her. Maine’s generally split three ways, Dem-Ind./Other-Rep., with a healthy dose of the Ind./unaffiliated folks leaning leftish. Sue always got enough of those folks on the promise of the Chase/Cohen model, but that illusion is gone now.
Great to see Amy Fried’s work here. This article is a really good summation of how Sue’s managed to get re-elected in Maine when the GOP for national office is nearly extinct in New England. (We occasionally still elect them state-wide, see guvs in ME, VT, MA of late.) The ranked choice issue is an interesting one, and was what sunk Bruce Poliquin in the second district in '18.
Also, Amy’s a good follow on Twitter @asfried .
Can Schiff stand up and directly ask Roberts to subpoena witnesses and documents no matter what this vote MoscowMitch has formulated? Roberts is concerned about his name in the history books. If the issue is valid, he would be hard pressed to tow any line the GOP comes up with.
Prior to the Bolton bombshell this weekend this was my prediction: McConnell would let Collins vote to hear from witnesses, knowing that that the motion would fail to gain the other 3 Rs that would be needed to let it pass. This would give Suzie cover to claim her “independence” come November around the state. It’s the same ploy she uses when talking about her vote to advance DeVos out of committee and then voting no on her on the Senate floor. McConnell lets her “vote her conscience” when it doesn’t matter. (if she had voted no in committee, DeVos would have been stopped).
But now the calculus has changed and the momentum is clearly there to call Bolton (at least) to testify. My guess is that she votes yes to subpoenaing him, but finds a way to wiggle out of having him testify in public on the floor of the Senate.
I’ve been voting in Maine since I moved there in 1987. Susan Collins changed her voting style after Olympia Snowe left office (retired). Used to be we had two independant women in office. That changed after this event. Collins lies and tries to cover it up with theatrics. Go away, Susan.
And lost her moral compass with Snowe’s leaving, I guess. Another one like Graham/McCain. Does no one look at these ridiculous relationships and question why either one of them are still in office (Graham and Collins)? They are no more independent than I’m a maharishi.
