Less than two weeks into the toughest election year of her career, Senator Collins is facing a barrage of criticism from Mainers who are demanding that she live up to the standard she set 20 years ago on impeachment.
Letter writers to papers across the state expressed their frustration when Collins sided with Mitch McConnell to allow the impeachment process to move forward without securing the witness testimony that she herself said 20 years ago she needed to “get to the truth.” Constituents are calling on Collins to stand up for a fair trial that guarantees witnesses and evidence, including testimony from former National Security Advisor John Bolton.
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Portland Press Herald: Collins’ votes are political (and partisan) calculations
Last week, Sen. Collins stated that she was open to witnesses for the Senate impeachment trial. However, not even a week later, she once again proved that her words mean little. She sided with her colleague, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, by postponing any vote on witnesses in the trial.
Bangor Daily News: Shielding the president
Collins stated that as a future juror she would not comment on the house impeachment proceedings. Then she lunched with Trump at the White House, and was essentially endorsed by him on Twitter. Collins also joined a fundraising pact with Lindsey Graham, who has since publicly declared that he’ll vote against impeaching Trump and won’t read testimony. From my perspective, her conduct presents the appearance of impropriety and would not be tolerated in a regular trial.
Lewiston Sun Journal: Sen. Collins just playing the game
McConnell is still the decider on the process. Collins will use his method for cover when witnesses crucial to the impeachment hearings are not heard. Collins, our “moderate Senator,” will be able to make her “impartial decision” on impeachment without listening to critical witnesses. We’ve seen this movie before.
Bangor Daily News: The Senate’s reputation
Looking back on the classes Sen. Susan Collins and I both took as government majors at St. Lawrence University, I fervently hope she will adhere to her strong sense of ethics to insist on a fair and deliberative process which holds each senator bound to the solemn oath to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws.
Portland Press Herald: Collins should demand witness testimony during impeachment trial
I call upon my fellow Mainers to call Sen. Collins and ask her to show greater respect for rule of law.
Central Maine: Collins must stand up for justice
On Jan. 27, 1999, during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine delivered the following statement “I am willing to travel the road wherever it leads, whether it’s to the conviction or the acquittal of the president. But in order to do that, I need more evidence. I need witnesses and further evidence to guide me to the right destination, to get to the truth...
Does Sen. Collins still believe in the words she recited 20 years ago, now, during this time of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump?
Bangor Daily News: Putting country over party
We are asking Collins not to align herself with her party over country without looking deep into all the facts and her own principles. She should follow her conscience to a fair and just conclusion.
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