Let this be a lesson to our side. There are certain areas of the country which are overrun by liberals, like here in Maine, and the best we can hope for is someone like Collins. A true conservative would never get elected here, like it or not. It may not be perfect nationally, but I’ll take Collins or Snowe, because, Number One, they vote for a Republican as Senate Leader, not Harry Reid. Everything else is gravy.
I agree with you Paul. The far right does not realize in MA or ME social conservatives don't have much of a chance. I think had Brown, Collins, or Snowe taken a hard position on abortion, or come across as a Southern Baptist, that would mean three more votes would be in place for Obama agendas.
I'm not sure of that. The republican apparatus here is run by the money of McKernan, Cohen and the like. As was the case in NY-23, "conservatives" are swamped by the money of the state and national party apparatus.
IMO, the republican party takes votes for these weak sisters as a sign of support for the positions and politics they espouse. I typically no-vote this spot on the ballot. They haven't earned my support.
re post 15,
You are right Maine is not likely to elect a conservative Republican. At least Collins & Snowe voted with the party and did not cross over on the healthcare key votes. Party unity is crucial when the Senate is 60/40. We hope they stick with the party on similar key votes even if the GOP gains some Senate seats in 2010 & 2012.
Do your best to keep her feet to the fire.
(Advice brought to you from the conservative heartland of Illinois - 100% dem control from the local to the national level.)
To be sure, I have many issues with them - their stances on social issues, their support for the porkulus bill, etc. I wouldn't want either near a national GOP ticket. But both Snowe and Collins have also both been solid, reliable hawks on defense and national security. Snowe supports the death penalty. Collins supported the Bush tax cuts, and has fought hard against granting habeas corpus to terror suspects. They are essentially Joe Lieberman types. I'd rather have a solid conservative, but I don't see that happening in Maine in the near future. So it's either Snowe and Collins or some of the genuinely hard lefties that have run against them. Speaking for myself, I'll take Olympia Snowe any day of the week (and twice on Sunday) over the likes of Jean Hay Bright.
Watch out, before you know it, some of your fellow FReepers will be calling you a RINO for displaying common sense.