Snowe, Collins call for GOP unity as tea party sacks moderates (Tea Party targeting Maine RINOs)

The Boston Herald / The Sun Journal, Lewiston, Me. ^ | 2010-09-28 | Steve Mistler

[rabscuttle385]

Two years ago, Barack Obama and congressional Democrats rode a wave of voter disenchantment into power. Many Republicans, even in some traditional strongholds, were swept aside.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, was an exception. She didn’t defeat Democrat Tom Allen. She trounced him, 61-39 percent of the vote, a landslide victory political analysts attributed to Collins’ popularity with moderates, a standing shared by her Maine colleague, U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, also a Republican.

Two years later, the same moderate image that protected Collins from the blue wave could make Snowe vulnerable to the red one advanced by the tea party. The movement has already sacked several GOP moderates, raising questions about whether voices such as Collins’ and Snowe’s still have a place in the party.

The issue was made more prominent following U.S. Rep. Mike Castle’s recent defeat in Delaware’s GOP primary for the U.S. Senate. Castle’s loss produced strong comments from Collins and Snowe, who both found the outcome troubling.

(snip)

Snowe’s reaction also came on the heels of a Public Policy Polling survey that showed the majority of responding Maine Republicans would prefer a more conservative alternative in 2012. Tom Jensen, who conducted the poll, said Snowe could be in trouble if the tea party fervor extends beyond this year.

An online reader poll conducted by the Washington Post echoed that theory, showing Snowe leading the list of senators that will be targeted by the tea party next year.

All of which has given rise to speculation about Snowe’s future. Some national pundits, such as Alan Colmes, a Democrat, have said Snowe will switch parties or run as an independent to win in 2012.

[mdmathis6]

I resent you calling them “whores”, you’ll be giving first class whores a bad name! ...... :)

[arista]

"What is important for all of us as Republicans is that, regardless of differences we may have, we coalesce around those bedrock principles that have always defined the Republican Party -- economic opportunity, fiscal responsibility, a strong national defense, lower taxes and a limited role for government, which my record in Congress has consistently reflected," she wrote.

This from the senator who voted for the $800 billion stimulus, voted for TARP, voted for the health care bill (in committee), voted for McCain-Feingold CFR, supports Cap and Trade, voted to reduce the Bush tax cuts in 2001, and voted for the Medicare prescription drug entitlement. She's part of the problem, not part of the solution.

[Zakeet]

I actually agree with Colmes. Snowe will either switch or run as an independent, just like that backstabber in Alaska.

I predict they will pull an Arlen Specter just as soon as the Pubbies get a majority in the Senate and it is proven the Tea Party has legs

[Huck]

Snowe will switch parties or run as an independent to win in 2012.

Rush said recently that the RINOs were going to end up being the meaningless third party. It sures looks like that's happening.

[Walrus]

Maybe a good freeper project would be to target Snowe and Collns -— I’m talking massive donations, bus trips Down East, knocking on doors in Portland ... the whole nine yards.

[mowowie]

Oh man, i love potato’s.

Mashed, fried, baked, scalloped, etc......
YUM
Thank you.

And yes, Maine used to be conservative and hopefully will be again.
:)

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thanks, My!
We need to get them the hell OUT!

[The Comedian]

Request Denied.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[chooseascreennamepat]

To those two witches, unity is us converting to socialist lite like they have. Neva going to happen.

[muleskinner]

Who’s the one that talks as if she is in the middle of a stroke?

[Catsrus]

Let’s not forget Sherrod Brown in OH. He’s an ACORN love child. He needs to go in 2012.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

We’re trying!
Unfortunately, we are surrounded by moonbats.
Lots of them moved up here...
*sigh*

[Tzimisce]

You can’t get rid of us!

We’re important members of the American left!

I think it’s time to teach the peasants who’s in charge!

/sarc

[traditional1]

Snowe and Collins are mere pawns for the Socialists, disguised with an (R) by their names. That’s why their re-elected, and the term “moderate” is just used casually in Liberal-speak as “one of us”. They vote with the Progressives whenever they’re needed.

[GreyMountainReagan]

dems are better than these rinos.

[mazda77]

Snowe is up in 12 and Collins in 14

[Texas Fossil]

Snowe will melt.

[darkangel82]

If LePage can win Gov. that makes a 2012 challenge to Snowe possible.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

I hope he DOES win!
I’m rooting and voting for him!
The libs up here have their knickers in a knot..
LePage said he’d tell Obama to go to hell..
LOL

[Hoodat]

Snowe, Collins call for GOP unity

It would have been nice to have had some unity back when the so-called 'Stimulus' Bill was being voted on in the Senate. As I recall, the only ones breaking GOP Unity were Collins, Snowe, and Specter.