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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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9

Maine's Other Senator Could Swing Health Reform

Eyes turn to Susan Collins as Dems ramp up courtship

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(Newser) – Last week Sen. Olympia Snowe was the center of attention of Capitol Hill as she bucked the GOP line to support health care reform, but now Maine's other Republican senator, Susan Collins, is the one to watch. Both women voted for President Obama's stimulus package in February, and Democrats and the media are following Collins everywhere, trying to ferret out  her intentions. No dice—up in Bangor recently, she said, "I really haven't made up my mind yet."

Recently Collins had dinner with budget director Peter Orzsag, got an invite from Harry Reid, and sat down at the White House with Rahm Emanuel—and Obama himself, who just happened to "drop in." It may be hard for Collins to go up against the Republican leadership, but her aging, relatively poor state relies on small business revenue, and support for reform is in the air. "Maine doesn't care about political affiliation," said one business leader. "It cares about what you do for Maine."

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner talks with Senate Appropriations subcommittee ranking Republican Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner talks with Senate Appropriations subcommittee ranking Republican Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, talks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, talks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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9 comments
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divetrader
Oct 22, 09 7:35 AM CDT
This is a ridiculous story. All representatives are on the line for this. Not just those two. Every one of them should have to account for their vote. And if they don't support a strong public option, we should vote them out. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
jamerican
Oct 22, 09 10:21 AM CDT
These idiot women are voting against the people they are supposed to represent which will only hurt the Republican party and cause more Republicans to go independent.
Vote up! Vote down!
-4
IN RESPONSE:
Snowleopard
Oct 22, 09 11:34 AM CDT
This health-care reform is going to make insurance more affordable and more accessible to small businesses (such as my own). I'm sure many of maine's voters also realize this.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
Nelstorm
Oct 22, 09 12:43 PM CDT
@dive - No, this story is ridiculous because these are the only two republican senators who are responsibly voting to help their state and country, and not just re-campaigning for 2010 by screaming 'Nobama!' in their voting record to pander to the long and angry fringe.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Timinator2K
Oct 22, 09 9:03 AM CDT
When you hear the line "I haven't made up my mind yet" know that they definitely have, very early on...and, what's more, it will be against what they should be for by party affiliation. I have to hand it to the Dems, they sure have a way to seduce turncoats. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-4

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