In the campaign in 2002, Susan Collins stood by George Bush's side as he led the nation to war. I mean, she literally stood by his side. In October of 2002, Bush did a campaign stop in Bangor, Maine to sing Susan's praises -- and to push the case for his war against Iraq. Reading Bush's speech from that campaign appearance will bring you back to the warmongering that dominated American politics in 2002:
We learned a tough lesson on September the 11th. See, it used to be oceans could protect us, and if there was a war on another continent we'd make the choice as to whether or not we would join that war; that we were safe and secure as a nation because nations could keep us safe and secure. But the harsh reality of the 21st century came home. Oceans no longer protect us. Threats overseas are threats that we must recognize here at home and deal with them.
That's why I asked the United States Congress to have a dialogue on Iraq. That's why I asked the Congress to seriously consider, along with the administration, as to whether or not we should deal with a true threat to our country.
I want to remind you that we're dealing with a man who has used weapons of mass destruction on his own people, on people in his neighborhood. This is a man who has defied the United Nations 16 times over an 11-year period. The world has said, you must do what you said you would do, Saddam Hussein, and that is disarm. And 16 times the United Nations, over and over and over again, has written resolution after resolution, saying, Mr. Saddam Hussein, you must disarm. And he has defied and international body.
That was the GOP message in 2002 and Susan stood with Bush. National security was used as a political club by the Bush/Cheney/Rove/Collins crew.
A couple years later, after the Iraq war was exposed as a debacle, Susan whined that Iraq shouldn't be a political issue.
Now, Susan has flipped back and wants to play politics with national security. Fear is her only weapon. Clearly, given the latest poll showing that her support is tanking, Collins is getting desperate and hauling out the Karl Rove playbook to attack Tom Allen over FISA. Pathetic.
The fear factor strategy worked in 2002. It won't work in 2008. Help Tom Allen beat Susan Collins and the politics of fear.
John posted updates on a number of Senate races below, but we're giving the Maine race its own post. Tom Allen is closing the gap against Susan Collins. In fact, for the first time, Collins has dropped under 50%. That's a danger zone for incumbents.
We've been watching this one for awhile. Susan Collins is especially despicable. She purports to be a moderate in Maine while doing the dirty work for George Bush in the Senate. Back her 2002 Senate race, Susan couldn't attach herself any closer to George Bush. She can't run from him this time. Collins is getting caught up in the anti-GOP wave. Here's an analysis I wrote about this race in March of 2007:
Maine is a blue state. Tom has represented the first Congressional District, which includes Greater Portland, since 1996. Approximately 72% of the media market in Maine comes out of the Portland-Auburn stations, which comprise the southern part of the state. A good chunk of voters in the Second District, including the very blue city of Waterville (hometown of the venerated George J. Mitchell) was in Tom's District until the last re-districting (in 2002). In the 2006 election, Tom got 60% of the vote without running one t.v. ad – meanwhile, the Democratic Governor was re-elected with only 38% of the vote in a four-way race. Collins best election was in 2002 -- the best GOP year ever, and she got just 58%. A lot has changed since 2002, but not Susan's loyalty to Bush and the GOP. She voted for the war and she can't escape that.
I just got off the phone with Tom Allen. He's feeling very upbeat especially about the very sophisticated field operation underway in Maine -- probably the best the state has ever seen. And, keep in mind, this gap has closed without Tom running any t.v. ads. Tom also wanted me to thank everyone for the support he's received from so many of AMERICAblog's readers. Our ActBlue page has already exceeded $10,000. This is real money for a campaign in Maine. Every dollar really helps. So give -- or give again. And, don't forget, McCain's biggest cheerleader, Joe Lieberman, is supporting Collins. It was just a year ago, June 20, 2007, when Lieberman hosted a fundraiser for her.
And, finally, here are those latest poll numbers that show Collins is in trouble:
Senator Susan Collins’ lead in her bid for reelection in Maine continues to fade, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.
Two months ago Collins led her Democratic challenger Tom Allen by 16 percentage points, but that spread fell to 10 points in May. Now her lead is down to seven points, 49% to 42%, dropping her below 50% for the first time and putting her among the Republican senators at risk this November. Incumbents who poll less than 50% are generally viewed as potentially vulnerable.
Collins’ favorability rating has fallen as well for the third month in a row, but she is still is viewed favorably by a substantial majority of Maine voters (65%), down from 70% last month. By a nearly identical number, the incumbent’s unfavorables have risen from 29% in May to 33% now.
By contrast, Allen, who has served in the House since 1997, is viewed favorably by 56% of voters and unfavorably by 37%, virtually identical to his ratings in May.
The trend is looking very good for Tom Allen. He is going to win this race. Help make that happen.
Yes, I'm obsessed with the Allen-Collins race. I really think Tom can win and the latest poll shows the race is tightening:
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Maine voters shows that the state’s U.S. Senate race has gotten a little bit tighter this month. In her bid for re-election, Republican Senator Susan Collins now leads Democratic challenger Tom Allen 52% to 42%.
Collins’ lead has decreased from sixteen percentage points last month to ten points this month. But, the incumbent still earns support from 89% of Republican voters and 34% of Democrats. The candidates are tied at 44% among unaffiliated voters.
Rasmussen shows Obama leading McCain 51% - 38%. Maine is a very blue state and Susan Collins owns the Bush/McCain legacy.
The campaign changed this week when Maine news finally picked up on Susan's abysmal record on oversight of Iraq. The video clip has been getting a lot of attention in the blogosphere. We put it up as did DailyKos,Cliff Schecter,MyDD,Crooks and Liars,Senate Guru and Turn Maine Blue. It's devastating for Collins. She plays moderate in Maine, but when she's in D.C., Collins does the dirty work for George Bush. Don't forget, in 2002, Susan was one of Bush's biggest cheerleaders for the war in Iraq. It was a staple of her campaign back then. She owns the failures in Iraq -- and did nothing to stop it.
Keep an eye on this race. It's going to get really interesting. And, help Tom out at our ActBlue page. We've raised almost just over $10,000. Small contributions really matter in Maine....they'll go a long way.
Despite being the Chair of the powerful Senate committee with oversight authority for several years, Susan Collins failed to do any real oversight of the mess in Iraq. She did George Bush's dirty work -- and never held him accountable. She was also one of Halliburton's chief enablers. Her gross failure's are exposed by a local station in Maine tonight. The clip is five minutes long, but it is so worth watching.
Remember what Harry Reid said about this race on Monday:
We just have a lot of places to look that are very important. I believe that Maine is going to be our Rhode Island this time. I think Sue Collins who has favorability not nearly as high as Chaffee's, but once Allen starts tying her to what Bush has done Maine which has a very progressive state, are, they're going to turn her out.
Tom Allen is tying Collins to Bush and Iraq. One of her big claims to fame was Stuart Bowen, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. He's special all right. Collins brought Bowen to Maine to campaign for her, which was very shady. Now, Bowen is facing a federal criminal investigation. That's Susan idea of great work.
Tom Allen can beat her. Help him out. Every dollar contributed goes a long way in Maine. Send her into retirement with George Bush.
There aren't very many races that offer a clearer choice: Collins is a loyal Bushie who supported the Iraq war and she's given Bush a free pass. Tom is a true progressive who opposed the war from the start.
It's Susan's misfortune that her right wing politics and constant shenanigans are catching up with her. Last fall, she attacked Tom Allen for missing votes in the House. Tom was at a funeral for his cousin. In January, Collins brought the Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction to Maine to campaign for her. Senator Frank Lautenberg called that visit "inappropriate."
Collins already broke her promise to Maine voters that she would only serve two terms. She has to run on a ticket with her good friend and pro-war ally, John McCain. Oh, Joe Lieberman already endorsed Collins, too.
Tom has a challenge on his website to raise $250,000 by March 31st, the deadline for the campaign finance reporting period.
Okay, admittedly I'm biased, but this is a great video prepared by the Maine College Democrats for their convention tomorrow. This is how they're introducing Congressman Tom Allen who is running for U.S. Senate against the incumbent GOP Bush lackey, Susan Collins:
With talent, activism and creativity like this on our side, Susan Collins is in big trouble.
Earlier this week, Tom Allen stood up for free speech and America's soldiers when he voted against the ridiculous resolution condemning the MoveOn newspaper ad. Just got this email from him on Limbaugh's slam against the troops:
I support all the troops, regardless of their position on the war. The men and women of our armed forces and their families have sacrificed a lot, and done everything that was asked of them. It is time to bring them home.
Tom is a great Congressman, but we really need that kind of sensibility in the U.S. Senate. While Susan Collins continues to do the bidding of George Bush, Tom has had a consistent message: We need to end the war. He didn't support the war in 2002, he doesn't support it now.
So, everyone's getting hit up because the FEC fundraising quarter ends of Sunday. But, if you're thinking of making a contribution to Tom Allen so he can beat Susan Collins, you really should do it now. The early money matters -- and in Maine, every dollar will go a long way.
AMERICAblog has an ActBlue page for Tom. Send him some early money so Maine can send him to the Senate. This is money well spent.
What a concept. Tom Allen wants Congress to do its real work. The Republicans want to play political games. Still playing politics over Iraq cause that's what GOPers do. Tom Allen will make a great United States Senator:
"I respect General Petraeus and honor all of our troops. They have done a phenomenal job and done everything that we have asked of them. General Petraeus is a soldier who simply takes orders from the Commander-in-Chief, President Bush.
Unfortunately the President and his Republican allies in Congress have continued to order General Petraeus and the rest of our troops to continue fighting. What we need is a plan to bring our troops home.
I voted against this resolution today because I believe it is the job of the Congress to bring our troops home, not legislate free speech."
We will never, ever see that kind of strong statement from Bush's loyal toadie, Susan Collins. She doesn't stand for anything -- except whatever Bush says.
And, by the way, if Congress is so outraged about speech, where's the resolution condemning John Boehner's disgusting comment about the loss of life in Iraq?
This is actually kind of funny. Lieberman is appearing at a fundraiser for pro-Bush GOP Senator Susan Collins of Maine. As a result, tons of money is pouring into Collins' opponent, Tom Allen. Hopefully Lieberman will attach himself to more GOP members this election cycle - he's a walking ATM for our side.
John and I got an e-mail from Tom Allen after we put up the Act Blue page seeking donations for his run against GOP Senator Susan Collins. Please contribute. We're the third hottest page on Act Blue today.
I know it's early to be thinking about the 2008 elections, but early money matters. And, don't forget, the two Iraq war enablers, Susan Collins and Joe Lieberman, are raising money for Collins' campaign today. Meanwhile, Tom's trying to figure out ways to end the war.
I've known Tom since around 1985. He really is as genuine, sincere and smart as he comes across. He'll make a great Senator from Maine -- in the tradition of George Mitchell. Here's his e-mail:
Dear Joe and John:
Thank you for including me on your ActBlue page. The response from the netroots community since you posted yesterday is already a good indicator of the power of small donors to make a big difference. Such activism is a strong counter to pro-war factions represented by Susan Collins and Joe Lieberman, who is hosting a fundraiser in Washington, D.C. tonight for Susan's campaign. Together Susan and Joe have consistently voted in approval of Bush's failed policies on Iraq and have neglected to hold the administration accountable.
I hope you'll stop by my on line New England town hall on Iraq tonight at 7 on www.tomallen.org. I look forward to hearing what you think and sharing my ideas about bringing our troops home.
Tomorrow night, pro-Bush, pro-Iraq war Joe Lieberman is hosting a fundraiser for his pro-Bush, pro-Iraq war colleague, Susan Collins. On the other side, Tom Allen is holding a town meeting about Iraq tomorrow night -- trying to figure a way out of the deadly morass that Bush, Collins and Lieberman helped create and sustain. Need we say more.
Susan Collins has to go. She can -- and will lose -- next year. Every additional Democratic Senator elected in 2008 lessens the power of the turncoat, Joe Lieberman.
Don't forget Susan's other friends. She was the deciding vote to bring Mississippi's Trent Lott back to GOP Senate Leadership. Last year, she was campaigning to re-elect Rick Santorum.
Tom Allen can beat Collins, but he needs help. Financial help. Early money matters. In Maine, your contribution will go a long way.
AMERICAblog has set up an Act Blue page for Tom. Consider making a contribution in the next couple days while Joe Lieberman is collecting money for Collins.
And, in case, you need any inspiration, here's Lieberman recently touting the progress in Iraq that only he and George Bush can see:
Congressman Tom Allen just filed the paperwork today to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Susan Collins. He's going to do an official announcement tour around Maine later this month. Tom will be Maine's next Senator.
The Allen campaign just launched its website today too.
In 1996, when Susan Collins first ran for Senate, she promised the people of Maine that she'd only serve two times. In typical GOP fashion, she lied. She's going to run for a third term. But, she won't get it.
This is going to be one of the premiere races in 2008. Susan Collins has staunchly stood by George Bush every day, especially on his war in Iraq, for which she voted in 2002. Last year, she campaigned for Rick Santorum. She cast the deciding vote to bring Trent Lott back in to GOP Senate leadership. And, all anyone needs to know about the pro-Iraq war record of Susan Collins is that pro-Iraq war Joe Lieberman supports her. She's already endorsed pro-Iraq war John McCain for President. That's the company she keeps.
Tom can -- and will win. Maine is a blue state. Tom has represented the first Congressional District, which includes Greater Portland, since 1996. He's a proven vote getter. In the 2006 election, Tom got 60% of the vote without running one t.v. ad meanwhile, the Democratic Governor was re-elected with only 38% of the vote in a four-way race. Approximately 72% of the media market in Maine comes out of the Portland-Auburn stations, which comprise the southern part of the state. A good chunk of voters in the Second District, including the very blue city of Waterville (hometown of the venerated George J. Mitchell) was in Tom's District until the last re-districting (in 2002). Collins best election was in 2002 -- the best GOP year ever, and she got just 58%.
A lot has changed since 2002, but not Susan's loyalty to Bush and the GOP. She voted for the war in 2002 and continues to support Bush's failed agenda. She can't escape that. Tom opposed the Iraq war from the beginning. He voted against the war in 2002.
Keep in mind that Susan chaired the Senate's Government Affairs and Homeland Security Committee in the last Congress. So all that government oversight that wasn't done on Iraq and Katrina, wasn't done by Collins.
This race is going to be intense. The GOP will do everything and anything to keep Collins in office. A win by Allen will increase the Democratic majority in the Senate -- and make Joe Lieberman less of a factor.
We'll be setting up an ActBlue page for Tom Allen. In the meantime, check out Tom's website and make a contribution if you can. Everything helps.
