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Maine's Other Senator Could Swing Health Reform

Eyes turn to Susan Collins as Dems ramp up courtship

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 22, 2009 7:15 AM CDT

(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. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

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. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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Maine's Other Senator Could Swing Health Reform

Eyes turn to Susan Collins as Dems ramp up courtship

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Proposal would let them determine 'essential benefits'

Gingrich Backed Individual Health Care Mandate

And other big government programs that benefited his clients: NYT

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Coverage up among 19- to 25-year-olds, now eligible for parents' insurance

On Way Out, Medicare Boss Bashes 'Extreme' Waste

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Maine's Other Senator Could Swing Health Reform

Eyes turn to Susan Collins as Dems ramp up courtship

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

health care • Senate • Maine • Olympia Snowe • Susan Collins • health care reform

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Dummy Firms Squeeze Millions From Medicare

Fraud-fighters finding it hard to stay ahead of shell companies

White House Gives States More Say on Health Law

Proposal would let them determine 'essential benefits'

Gingrich Backed Individual Health Care Mandate

And other big government programs that benefited his clients: NYT

Health Reform Insured 2.5M Young People

Coverage up among 19- to 25-year-olds, now eligible for parents' insurance

On Way Out, Medicare Boss Bashes 'Extreme' Waste

Donald Berwick says 20-30% of health care spending helps no one

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?