I, a life-long Democrat, will answer recent criticism of Sens. Susan Collins’ confirmation votes of Robert Kennedy and Tulsi Gabbard with this observation: Sen. Collins stuck her neck out, along with Sens. Mitch McConnell and Lisa Murkowski on the Pete Hegseth confirmation, when they were led to believe that they had the critical fourth vote in Sen. Thom Tillis.
As the Wall Street Journal and New York Times reported, Tillis said that he was a hard “no” vote, (until he wasn’t), caving to political pressure and leaving the others high and dry. More importantly, he left the woman who, at his own request, provided the public sworn affidavit against Hegseth, a victim of his political cowardice.
Meanwhile, a former Elon Musk employee has already announced that he will run as an independent in the November 2026 election against Collins. Collins will also, no doubt, be “primaried,” and attacked from the far right.
Until there are four brave Republicans to stand up to President Donald Trump on nominations, it makes no sense for Sens. Collins and Murkowski to spill blood on a battlefield that they cannot win. Go find a fourth Republican senator with a spine, and then I will be critical of Collins.
Mary Ann Lynch
Cape Elizabeth