Stephen Crockett penned an op-ed for The Root where he is senior editor, aiming directly at Maine Senator Susan Collins’ (R-ME) hypocrisy over the upcoming Senate hearing for the articles of impeachment. She tends to walk right up to the line of supporting the Democrats and hover there, building the suspense over the likelihood that she votes with them. There is just one problem.
Collins has used this move for years, and people have continued to believe she was genuinely open to the Democrats’ perspective. When she pulls it, people have seriously hoped that this time would be different. After all, they have a lot at stake in the type of hearings where she sits, the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee. A second reason the Maine senator has successfully used her signature move was that her state has been steadily turning bluer. The more time she can remain in the status quo, the more Maine voters will hear about her publicity and consider reelecting her in 2020.
The problem? People have caught onto her bait-and-switch tactics.
Crockett explained how she used this political tactic during Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing to the Supreme Court in the Senate:
‘Every now and again, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) tries to act like she’s an actual politician who is open to hearing all the evidence before making a decision. It’s a masterful piece of work. Like that time during Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing, where Collins acted like she was concerned about his abhorrent and predatory behavior.’
The senior editor continued, pointing out how she eventually voted:
‘Remember how she acted like she gave a shit about stories of him reportedly sexually assaulting a classmate during a house party? And then she did this nearly 45-minute grandstanding speech on the floor that ended with: “Mr. President, I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.”’
Crockett did not pull any punches, saying “she’s doing it again:”
‘So Sen. Collins can go fuck herself because she’s doing it again. She’s claiming that she’s “open to witnesses” in the upcoming Senate impeachment trial and even criticized “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for working closely with the White House.”’
Collins spoke to Maine’s Public Radio earlier this week:
‘I think it’s premature to decide who should be called until we see the evidence that is presented and get the answers to the questions that we senators can submit through the Chief Justice to both sides.’
Crockett called Collins out on the mat for indicating she might vote with the Senate Democrats’ request for witnesses. After all, as he says “its a GODDAMN TRIAL:”
‘Collins is full of sh*t. I wouldn’t be shocked to learn that Collins and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) cooked this whole scheme up over the holidays. Currently, the impeachment is at an impasse; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) would like to call for acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton to testify, because it’s a GODDAMN TRIAL! House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has delayed sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate until there’s a fair trial process in place.’
Collins, a possible swing vote in the impeachment trial, indicated she was annoyed that McConnell said he would coordinate with the White House.”
‘It is inappropriate, in my judgment, for senators on either side of the aisle to prejudge the evidence before they have heard what is presented to us, because the each of us will take an oath, an oath that I take very seriously to render impartial justice.’
She continued:
‘I’ve heard the Senate Majority leader saying that he’s taking his cues from the White House. There are senators on both sides of the aisle, who, to me, are not giving the appearance of and the reality of judging that’s in an impartial way.’
The write-in senator from Alaska Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has been a more genuine independent thinker. She came out early criticizing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The senator stated that she was “disturbed” when he said that he would coordinate with the White House. Of course, that clearly would have defeated one of The Constitution’s basic tenants: the separation of powers.
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
