Susan Collins set to play pivotal role in impeachment drama

[mystery-ak]

Susan Collins set to play pivotal role in impeachment drama
By Alexander Bolton - 12/21/19 04:52 PM EST

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is emerging as the most important vote in the Senate battle over President Trump’s impeachment trial, as Democrats regard her support as key to getting the additional witnesses and documents they need to build their case.

Collins, who has played a pivotal role in the biggest Senate debates of the Trump era, finds herself once again in the spotlight as one of the Republicans considered most likely to side with Democrats.

“She’s an important player,” said Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who noted that while every Senate vote is important, key trial questions will be decided by a handful of lawmakers.

“Four Republicans can bring this back to a bipartisan position,” he said.

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/475579-susan-collins-set-to-play-pivotal-role-in-impeachment-drama

[Wingnut]

Dick Durban is fighting to stay relevant.  He is an Illinois Cockaroach. Don't listen to his mumbling.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

Collins' vote is only important if rats can shave 3 more GOP votes away from Trump.  I don't know why Durbin thinks Collins is special.

[Wingnut]

I don't know why Durbin thinks Collins is special.

Dick is daft. That is the only explanation.

[Smokin Joe]

Collins' vote is only important if rats can shave 3 more GOP votes away from Trump.  I don't know why Durbin thinks Collins is special.

Because she can be counted on to be among the very first to break ranks and vote with the Dems.

[Fishrrman]

Collins is running for re-election.
She had better support Mr. Trump, or she's gonna probably comin' out on the losin' end.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

Because she can be counted on to be among the very first to break ranks and vote with the Dems.

I would have picked Romney for that.

[Smokin Joe]

Collins is running for re-election.
She had better support Mr. Trump, or she's gonna probably comin' out on the losin' end.

Not necessarily so. She has been a consistent defector from GOP positions on close votes over the years and she's still in office.

[skeeter]

Collins is an unreliable when policy is being made, but the Gorsuch drama showed she is generally reasonable where facts are concerned. I wouldn't worry.

[MajorClay]

Romney, Collins and Murkowski provide cover for Manchin and Jones from Alabama.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Romney, Collins and Murkowski provide cover for Manchin and Jones from Alabama.

No, they do not.  Manchin and/or Jones vote for impeachment and they will have hell to pay.  Manchin can forget the cushy, end of life move to the governor's mansion and Jones will be voted out of the Senate.  This is true regardless of what any of the three GOP stooges do.

[Victoria33]

bkmk

[libertybele]

I really hope that they use Cruz's talents to defend Trump. If they don't they are fools.  I'm hoping that 'they' don't let the hatred for the man get in their way.

[Victoria33]

Collins' vote is only important if rats can shave 3 more GOP votes away from Trump.  I don't know why Durbin thinks Collins is special.

@Once-Ler

She would be one of the Republican votes they need to cross-over and vote to convict.  She is a strange one - most of the time votes with the Democrats and still wins in her state as a Republican.  I have often wondered why they keep electing her on the Republican ticket.  She is a nice person, doesn't say crude things to or about other Senators.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

@Once-Ler
@Victoria33
She would be one of the Republican votes they need to cross-over and vote to convict.  She is a strange one - most of the time votes with the Democrats and still wins in her state as a Republican.  I have often wondered why they keep electing her on the Republican ticket.  She is a nice person, doesn't say crude things to or about other Senators.

Maine is a blueish purple state.  The Gov is a rat, and both state legislatures are run by rats.  They have 2 rat US Congressmen.  The other US Senator is an Independent who caucuses with the rats.

Most of the time Collins actually votes with the GOP but occasionally, in order to properly represent her constituents and be re-elected she defects to the other side.  The GOP Establishment puts up with this because they know that a conservative will be rejected by Maine voters 100 out of 100 times.  Maine's rat caucusing (ind) US Senator replaced Olympia Snowe, a squishy moderate Republican just like Collins.  The GOP can elect a moderate Republican in Maine, or a dem or DINO(ind).  I think the GOP base is happier when rats replace moderate Republicans. 

I agree Collins is a nice person.

[Victoria33]

Maine is a blueish purple state.  The Gov is a rat, and both state legislatures are run by rats.  They have 2 rat US Congressmen.  The other US Senator is an Independent who caucuses with the rats.  Most of the time Collins actually votes with the GOP but occasionally, in order to properly represent her constituents and be re-elected she defects to the other side.  The GOP Establishment puts up with this because they know that a conservative will be rejected by Maine voters 100 out of 100 times.  Maine's rat caucusing (ind) US Senator replaced Olympia Snowe, a squishy moderate Republican just like Collins.  The GOP can elect a moderate Republican in Maine, or a dem or DINO(ind).  I think the GOP base is happier when rats replace moderate Republicans. 
I agree Collins is a nice person.

@Once-Ler

Once, Thanks for your explanation - it helps me understand Maine's political system.  I will copy what you said and put in my computer "POLITICS" folder.