[Collins is short a full bag of potatoes by half.
A hamburger short of French Fries.
A politician short of integrity.
Because of Maine’s rocky terrain, the old say goes that “Maine’s two top crops are potatoes and rocks”. Collins is the latter.]
Some Freepers say Collins is no different from a Democrat. If she were, they wouldn’t run anyone against her or spend $100m* trying to take her out that could have been used elsewhere. Without her, ME would be solid blue. She’s a wily political operator, and more conservative than all Democrat senators except for Manchin. But Manchin is in a solid red state that has Republicans in pretty much all statewide offices and gave Trump a 45% margin. (So he’s somewhat moderate just to survive politically). Whereas Trump lost Maine, underperforming Collins by 7%. By Maine standards, Collins is so right-wing, she might as well be Barry Goldwater and Joe McCarthy rolled into one. Yet she keeps winning.
I think people forget that in one man, one vote systems, pols are elected to be followers of the popular will, not leaders. Alexander the Great could lead because he could kill** anyone who disagreed. Pols in democratic systems cannot. Collins is far more conservative than her electorate. Manchin is far more liberal. In each of their ways, both are excellent water carriers for their respective parties.
** And when he died, his entire clan was wiped out - mother, wife, kids, et al.
Remember, it only takes one bullet out of six or ten in a revolver/semi-automatic to kill someone. Collins is undependable. You can’t turn your back on her and trust her to do the right thing at the right time (see the Kavanaugh hearings).