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June 28, 2007
Collins' Brave Stand
Susan Collins voted against the immigration reform bill this afternoon, shortly after the 40th and deciding vote had been cast. I hear she took quite a pounding on talk radio this morning, so her vote may have been a response to the realization that she's irritated a lot of Republicans in Maine and just might need them if she wants to remain in the senate after next November.
Still, it's interesting that she waited to vote on this thing until after the deciding vote had been cast. Good analysis by Allah here:
The dotted line marks the 40th no vote, which doomed the bill. Everyone after that knew it was dead (assuming they’d been keeping count), which makes the late switchers like Coleman, McConnell, and especially Voinovich switchers of convenience, not conviction. Why vote yes on a bill that you know is going to lose?Collins was in the room, and ready to vote. If she was persuaded by angry constituents, why didn't she cast one of the deciding votes against this thing, instead of hanging back until the bill's fate was decided and then following the trend?
Collins is in her second term, and I hope it's her last. I'm simply tired of having a senator who talks conservative-ish while campaigning, only to run free on the plains of liberalism once re-elected. Until, that is, the last year or so of her term, when she returns to the fold to cast a few votes when she knows people will be paying attention.
On every issue of import, she's no different from Tom Allen. So why shouldn't I vote for him? And putting the Republicans in charge of the Senate isn't a good enough reason anymore, as far as I'm concerned. With the Senate firmly in their control they still couldn't pass legislation, confirm judges (thanks, McCain!) or confirm cabinet officials and ambassadors. Plus, they pick spineless quislings like Bill Frist, Trent Lott and Mitch McConnell as their "leaders."
Meh. I've had enough of Senator Follower. Maybe I can get this guy to move to Maine...
Posted by slublog at June 28, 2007 07:31 PM
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Comments
I've got a better idea. Are you 30 yet?
Posted by: someone at June 29, 2007 06:08 AM