Collins Watch
@collinswatch.bsky.social
Keeping an eye on Maine's senior senator and Maine politics since 2006. Send tips/thoughts to collinswatch@protonmail.com. susancollinswatch.substack.com
Don't forget that Susan Collins voted to DEFUND MAINE SCHOOLS over the state's policies around after school sports -- a shocking betrayal of her constituents that would've devastated Maine if successful. (tinyurl.com/ynmcarxf)
This is a political weakness for Collins not a strength. #MEpolitics
This is a political weakness for Collins not a strength. #MEpolitics
November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Don't forget that Susan Collins voted to DEFUND MAINE SCHOOLS over the state's policies around after school sports -- a shocking betrayal of her constituents that would've devastated Maine if successful. (tinyurl.com/ynmcarxf)
This is a political weakness for Collins not a strength. #MEpolitics
This is a political weakness for Collins not a strength. #MEpolitics
After a strong headline this past week underscoring Susan Collins have-it-both-ways nonsense on the funding bill and the self-dealing provision she slipped into it...BDN is back to its old ways.
Someone please give these folks a tutorial on what the word "want" means. #MEpolitics
Someone please give these folks a tutorial on what the word "want" means. #MEpolitics
November 22, 2025 at 6:41 PM
After a strong headline this past week underscoring Susan Collins have-it-both-ways nonsense on the funding bill and the self-dealing provision she slipped into it...BDN is back to its old ways.
Someone please give these folks a tutorial on what the word "want" means. #MEpolitics
Someone please give these folks a tutorial on what the word "want" means. #MEpolitics
Susan Collins on her role in the govt funding bill before she got blowback about the vile, corrupt provision she's reported to have slipped in to benefit several of her GOP Senate pals:
"I was responsible for not only putting the bill together but also managing it on the Senate floor." #MEpolitics
"I was responsible for not only putting the bill together but also managing it on the Senate floor." #MEpolitics
November 21, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Susan Collins on her role in the govt funding bill before she got blowback about the vile, corrupt provision she's reported to have slipped in to benefit several of her GOP Senate pals:
"I was responsible for not only putting the bill together but also managing it on the Senate floor." #MEpolitics
"I was responsible for not only putting the bill together but also managing it on the Senate floor." #MEpolitics
In other news, even having abandoned his campaign after being faced with a primary challenge, Jared Golden continues to do somersaults to avoid calling Trump out by name.
At least he's consistent? tinyurl.com/ebufx3ej #MEpolitics
At least he's consistent? tinyurl.com/ebufx3ej #MEpolitics
November 21, 2025 at 1:07 PM
In other news, even having abandoned his campaign after being faced with a primary challenge, Jared Golden continues to do somersaults to avoid calling Trump out by name.
At least he's consistent? tinyurl.com/ebufx3ej #MEpolitics
At least he's consistent? tinyurl.com/ebufx3ej #MEpolitics
At top of Press Herald's home page right now.
It'd be one thing if they covered e.g. Susan Collins complicity in the corrupt/lawless abuse of executive power under Trump w/ anything like the vigor/tenacity the moment demands.
But they're not doing that. They want to write about chairs. #MEpolitics
It'd be one thing if they covered e.g. Susan Collins complicity in the corrupt/lawless abuse of executive power under Trump w/ anything like the vigor/tenacity the moment demands.
But they're not doing that. They want to write about chairs. #MEpolitics
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
At top of Press Herald's home page right now.
It'd be one thing if they covered e.g. Susan Collins complicity in the corrupt/lawless abuse of executive power under Trump w/ anything like the vigor/tenacity the moment demands.
But they're not doing that. They want to write about chairs. #MEpolitics
It'd be one thing if they covered e.g. Susan Collins complicity in the corrupt/lawless abuse of executive power under Trump w/ anything like the vigor/tenacity the moment demands.
But they're not doing that. They want to write about chairs. #MEpolitics
Oh look who else just won this award! Look what she won it for!
When Susan Collins isn't slipping corrupt, self-dealing provisions into must-pass bills, celebrating these sorts of people is how she's spending her time in 2025, apparently. tinyurl.com/9zs34y42 #MEpolitics
When Susan Collins isn't slipping corrupt, self-dealing provisions into must-pass bills, celebrating these sorts of people is how she's spending her time in 2025, apparently. tinyurl.com/9zs34y42 #MEpolitics
November 20, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Oh look who else just won this award! Look what she won it for!
When Susan Collins isn't slipping corrupt, self-dealing provisions into must-pass bills, celebrating these sorts of people is how she's spending her time in 2025, apparently. tinyurl.com/9zs34y42 #MEpolitics
When Susan Collins isn't slipping corrupt, self-dealing provisions into must-pass bills, celebrating these sorts of people is how she's spending her time in 2025, apparently. tinyurl.com/9zs34y42 #MEpolitics
Icky: Susan Collins poses with the "editor" of the disinformation outlet run by Maine's fake right-wing think tank (why's his head missing?) upon his receipt of an award from a Trumpy foundation.
This is the outlet that alleged ME schools were teaching kids how to have sex with cats. #MEpolitics
This is the outlet that alleged ME schools were teaching kids how to have sex with cats. #MEpolitics
November 20, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Icky: Susan Collins poses with the "editor" of the disinformation outlet run by Maine's fake right-wing think tank (why's his head missing?) upon his receipt of an award from a Trumpy foundation.
This is the outlet that alleged ME schools were teaching kids how to have sex with cats. #MEpolitics
This is the outlet that alleged ME schools were teaching kids how to have sex with cats. #MEpolitics
Now one of Susan Collins beltway errand-runners is pushing the spin that Collins felt "blindsided" by a provision that other outlets have reported COLLINS HERSELF INSERTED into the funding bill.
So much of the DC press is totally shameless. #MEpolitics
So much of the DC press is totally shameless. #MEpolitics
November 20, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Now one of Susan Collins beltway errand-runners is pushing the spin that Collins felt "blindsided" by a provision that other outlets have reported COLLINS HERSELF INSERTED into the funding bill.
So much of the DC press is totally shameless. #MEpolitics
So much of the DC press is totally shameless. #MEpolitics
Better headline: Susan Collins is NOT co-sponsoring legislation to repeal provision in funding bill allowing senators to sue the government
Subhead: The provision was included in the continuing resolution Collins has taken credit for authoring... #MEpolitics
Subhead: The provision was included in the continuing resolution Collins has taken credit for authoring... #MEpolitics
November 20, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Better headline: Susan Collins is NOT co-sponsoring legislation to repeal provision in funding bill allowing senators to sue the government
Subhead: The provision was included in the continuing resolution Collins has taken credit for authoring... #MEpolitics
Subhead: The provision was included in the continuing resolution Collins has taken credit for authoring... #MEpolitics
Not sure we agree with Lisa Wesel about Angus King's reasons for capitulating to Trump (Angus caved well before SNAP payments were withheld) but she makes some good points! #MEpolitics
November 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Not sure we agree with Lisa Wesel about Angus King's reasons for capitulating to Trump (Angus caved well before SNAP payments were withheld) but she makes some good points! #MEpolitics
Like half of Susan Collins fan club works at the New York Times. #MEpolitics
November 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Like half of Susan Collins fan club works at the New York Times. #MEpolitics
The House of Representatives has now unanimously (!) voted to claw back the vile and corrupt self-dealing provision that Susan Collins successfully snuck into the government funding bill, reportedly at Majority Leader Thune's request.
An indefensible, politically-damaging self-own. #MEpolitics
An indefensible, politically-damaging self-own. #MEpolitics
November 20, 2025 at 2:24 AM
The House of Representatives has now unanimously (!) voted to claw back the vile and corrupt self-dealing provision that Susan Collins successfully snuck into the government funding bill, reportedly at Majority Leader Thune's request.
An indefensible, politically-damaging self-own. #MEpolitics
An indefensible, politically-damaging self-own. #MEpolitics
Memo to Susan Collins: Maybe don't brag about being the author of the bill if you want to preserve the ability to deny involvement later on.
Also best not to leave your fingerprints all over a politically toxic provision -- so that credible media reports tell readers you slipped it in. #MEpolitics
Also best not to leave your fingerprints all over a politically toxic provision -- so that credible media reports tell readers you slipped it in. #MEpolitics
November 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Memo to Susan Collins: Maybe don't brag about being the author of the bill if you want to preserve the ability to deny involvement later on.
Also best not to leave your fingerprints all over a politically toxic provision -- so that credible media reports tell readers you slipped it in. #MEpolitics
Also best not to leave your fingerprints all over a politically toxic provision -- so that credible media reports tell readers you slipped it in. #MEpolitics
You've gotta think Susan Collins and her team are in full-on panic mode over this.
Credit to Bangor Daily News for an accurate headline. tinyurl.com/kk49tv4c #MEpolitics
Credit to Bangor Daily News for an accurate headline. tinyurl.com/kk49tv4c #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 10:49 PM
You've gotta think Susan Collins and her team are in full-on panic mode over this.
Credit to Bangor Daily News for an accurate headline. tinyurl.com/kk49tv4c #MEpolitics
Credit to Bangor Daily News for an accurate headline. tinyurl.com/kk49tv4c #MEpolitics
Look, we're totally on board with the idea that Senate candidate histories, character, finances etc etc deserve scrutiny and coverage from local media. Amen.
But surely at least a CHUNK of articles on candidates should be about policy. A third? A quarter?
Right now we're at like 1-2%. #MEpolitics
But surely at least a CHUNK of articles on candidates should be about policy. A third? A quarter?
Right now we're at like 1-2%. #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Look, we're totally on board with the idea that Senate candidate histories, character, finances etc etc deserve scrutiny and coverage from local media. Amen.
But surely at least a CHUNK of articles on candidates should be about policy. A third? A quarter?
Right now we're at like 1-2%. #MEpolitics
But surely at least a CHUNK of articles on candidates should be about policy. A third? A quarter?
Right now we're at like 1-2%. #MEpolitics
Majority Forward out with an ad slamming Susan Collins for the corrupt, self-dealing provision she slipped into the recent funding bill that could net eight of her Senate GOP colleagues $500,000 or more. #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Majority Forward out with an ad slamming Susan Collins for the corrupt, self-dealing provision she slipped into the recent funding bill that could net eight of her Senate GOP colleagues $500,000 or more. #MEpolitics
"The Senate race has so far not focused too heavily on policy disagreements but rather more on the personal contrasts between Platner...and Mills," says the outlet that has run article after article on personal contrasts while ignoring policy entirely. (Like every other Maine outlet.) #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 1:06 PM
"The Senate race has so far not focused too heavily on policy disagreements but rather more on the personal contrasts between Platner...and Mills," says the outlet that has run article after article on personal contrasts while ignoring policy entirely. (Like every other Maine outlet.) #MEpolitics
Remember last week when serial capitulator Angus King said there was a better chance of the ACA tax credits getting extended if Dems caved than if they stood up to Trump?
How's that analysis looking? #MEpolitics
How's that analysis looking? #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Remember last week when serial capitulator Angus King said there was a better chance of the ACA tax credits getting extended if Dems caved than if they stood up to Trump?
How's that analysis looking? #MEpolitics
How's that analysis looking? #MEpolitics
"Susan Collins and Senate Republicans barely defeat effort by Democrats to force release of Epstein files" --Bangor Daily News headline, September 10, 2025 tinyurl.com/2r98rjy2 #MEpolitics
November 19, 2025 at 2:08 AM
"Susan Collins and Senate Republicans barely defeat effort by Democrats to force release of Epstein files" --Bangor Daily News headline, September 10, 2025 tinyurl.com/2r98rjy2 #MEpolitics
From the end of Graham Platner's speech at the 3/1/25 anti-Trump rally in Ellsworth. tinyurl.com/bdca75v5 #MEpolitics
November 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
From the end of Graham Platner's speech at the 3/1/25 anti-Trump rally in Ellsworth. tinyurl.com/bdca75v5 #MEpolitics
One of the more accurate polling outfits of the 2024 cycle per Nate Silver says Susan Collins trails a generic Democrat by 8%; outperforms a generic Republican by (only?) 2%; and has some built-in advantages with the pool of voters that remains undecided. tinyurl.com/crmy6pcc #MEpolitics
November 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
One of the more accurate polling outfits of the 2024 cycle per Nate Silver says Susan Collins trails a generic Democrat by 8%; outperforms a generic Republican by (only?) 2%; and has some built-in advantages with the pool of voters that remains undecided. tinyurl.com/crmy6pcc #MEpolitics
This headline comes up at the top of a Google News search for Susan Collins, but when you click on it you get an error message at FoxNews.com. tinyurl.com/5f3j3jt2 #MEpolitics
November 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
This headline comes up at the top of a Google News search for Susan Collins, but when you click on it you get an error message at FoxNews.com. tinyurl.com/5f3j3jt2 #MEpolitics
Angus King's capitulation to Trump has obviously hurt his political standing and undermined the prospects of his son's longshot gov campaign.
But you gotta think it's also not great for Mills since it makes livid Dems more likely to decide: "That's it! No more genteel 75+ year olds!" #MEpolitics
But you gotta think it's also not great for Mills since it makes livid Dems more likely to decide: "That's it! No more genteel 75+ year olds!" #MEpolitics
November 16, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Angus King's capitulation to Trump has obviously hurt his political standing and undermined the prospects of his son's longshot gov campaign.
But you gotta think it's also not great for Mills since it makes livid Dems more likely to decide: "That's it! No more genteel 75+ year olds!" #MEpolitics
But you gotta think it's also not great for Mills since it makes livid Dems more likely to decide: "That's it! No more genteel 75+ year olds!" #MEpolitics
Here's the November calendar for the Senate Appropriations Committee run by Susan Collins. (No hearings of any kind scheduled.)
There was one subcommittee hearing in October -- on the funding priorities of the Office of the United States Trade Representative. That's it. #MEpolitics
There was one subcommittee hearing in October -- on the funding priorities of the Office of the United States Trade Representative. That's it. #MEpolitics
November 16, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Here's the November calendar for the Senate Appropriations Committee run by Susan Collins. (No hearings of any kind scheduled.)
There was one subcommittee hearing in October -- on the funding priorities of the Office of the United States Trade Representative. That's it. #MEpolitics
There was one subcommittee hearing in October -- on the funding priorities of the Office of the United States Trade Representative. That's it. #MEpolitics
Anger among Mainers at Angus King gets the Weekend Edition treatment on @npr.org: tinyurl.com/yeaspxca #MEpolitics
November 16, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Anger among Mainers at Angus King gets the Weekend Edition treatment on @npr.org: tinyurl.com/yeaspxca #MEpolitics