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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 8h

Absolutely. Neither Allen or Gideon was 'tested' statewide how Mills has been. But a not-insignificant part of the rationales for their candidacy was they were used to doing #MEpolitics on a (reasonably) large stage. Otherwise DC woulda recruited more charismatic folks, folks with better bios etc.

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 8h

Interesting and points to likelihood that analysis of past failures will be a key primary debate feature.

Arguments for both Mills/Platner to make here but worth noting: 2 of last 3 nominees (Rep. Allen; Speaker Gideon) were backed by DC mostly because they *were* perceived as 'tested.' #MEpolitics

Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 18h

Meiselas: How do you see yourself in that race versus Graham Platner?

Mills: We’ve run people against Susan Collins before, and she won because we ran people who were untested… I’m the only one in the race who’s actually won an election

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 10h

Remember way way back three months ago when there were all sorts of media histrionics about how no one wanted to run against Susan Collins?

Seemed silly/overheated at the time and looks even sillier now. Any regrets @ericmgarcia.bsky.social @ianprasad.bsky.social? #MEpolitics

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 11h

For at least the sixth time in recent days Angus King abases himself by capitulating to MAGA on govt funding.

Doesn't take a philosophy professor to spot the logical flaw in the 'If we don't give Trump what he wants he might break the law' argument. #MEpolitics

Senate Press Gallery @senatepress.bsky.social · 12h

Senators Cortez Masto (D) and King (I) voted aye.

Republican Senator Paul voted no.

Senators Cassidy, Duckworth, Fetterman, Hagerty, McConnell, and Tillis did not vote.

Senate Press Gallery @senatepress.bsky.social · 12h

By a vote of 49-45, the Senate did not invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 (House). ML Thune voted no to make a motion to reconsider.

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 14h

This guy.

Joined the race by hedging whether he'd drop out if Mills joined (tinyurl.com/bdhrk8z9); then vowed to stay in no matter what (tinyurl.com/bdemfx33); and now he's dropping out now that Mills joined. #MEpolitics

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Reposted by Collins Watch

Joe Sudbay @joesudbay.bsky.social · 15h

In early Feb to @randybillings.bsky.social from @pressherald.com:

“If there are impoundments, I believe it will end up in court, and my hope is the court will rule in favor of the 1974 Impoundment and Budget Control Act,” Collins told the Press Herald this week
www.pressherald.com?p=7422649&uu...

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 14h

Also does this even really help Mills? Either way both she and Platner are gonna have plenty of $$$. The primary won't be decided by cash.

All this does is underline in neon ink that she's the DC establishment's pick -- a label she might've otherwise worked to downplay. Seems dubious. #MEpolitics

Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 14h

Not great. One of the lessons of the 2020 Senate contest in Maine is that DC party elites should stay out of the race and let Mainers pick their own candidates.

It has a vetting effect and it makes the candidate stronger. #MEpolitics

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 14h

Not great. One of the lessons of the 2020 Senate contest in Maine is that DC party elites should stay out of the race and let Mainers pick their own candidates.

It has a vetting effect and it makes the candidate stronger. #MEpolitics

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 15h

There was a case to be made this summer that only Mills could defeat Susan Collins. But with the enthusiasm around Platner's candidacy and how he has acquitted himself on the campaign trail, that's quite a bit a harder case to make these days. #MEpolitics

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 16h

Vought said he was gonna do this sorta stuff during his confirmation.

Susan Collins said some of what he was pledging to do was illegal but it'd be settled in court. Then she voted to confirm him anyway!

Does she think there's no record of this stuff? It was only several months ago. #MEpolitics

danny @dabbs346.bsky.social · 19h

Susan Collins thinks everyone is dumb

#mesen #mepolitics

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 20h

Hear you. We're not clear on where she is around Israel/Palestine lately but it wouldn't be surprising if it emerges as a flashpoint since it's become a sort of litmus test for candor with the Dem base. Also since Schumer has said he views part of his job as keeping the left pro-Israel. #MEpolitics

Opinion | Chuck Schumer Isn’t Jewish Like the Pope Isn’t Catholic

www.nytimes.com

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 20h

That seems like the kind of thing where the pandemic context was a real exacerbating factor. No ground game, very little public visibility. Seems less likely to be a problem this time around.

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 20h

Seems likely to emerge as an issue! #MEpolitics

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 21h

This is interesting. But note that the quote -- which both Bangor Daily News and Boston Globe spin as a "pledge" -- doesn't actually contain a pledge. #MEpolitics

Bangor Daily News @bangordailynews.bsky.social · 22h

“I would not plan to serve more than one term.” www.bangordailynews.com/2025/10/14/p...

Janet Mills pledges to serve just 1 term in US Senate if elected

That comes as the governor on Tuesday morning launched her bid for the Democratic nomination to face off against Susan Collins.

www.bangordailynews.com

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 21h

OK looks like Janet Mills has joined Bluesky for real this time. #MEpolitics

Janet Mills @janetmillsforme.bsky.social · 23h

I've never backed down from a bully and I never will.

Donald Trump is ripping away health care from millions, driving up costs, and giving corporate CEOs massive tax cuts. And Susan Collins is helping him.

My life’s work has prepared me for this fight—and I'm ready to win.

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 21h

Will admit that this headline gives us flashbacks -- and not in a good way.

In 2019 @emilyslist.bsky.social bigfooted into Maine's Senate race on behalf of Sara Gideon the day after she announced and it was all sort of down hill from there. #MEpolitics

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 21h

Where the rubber will meet the road on this stuff, I suspect, is Mills posture (still unknown?) to masked, unidentified armed men shoving Mainers into vans. Either you use your power to get in the way of that...or you don't. There's not really an intermediate position I don't think? #MEpolitics

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 21h

Susan Collins also ran a blah campaign in 2020 before Bill Green bailed her out.

Do we think it'll be a close race? Yes. But would it be bonkers if she lost handily? Not at all. See e.g. Jon Tester last cycle.

Bottom line: The assumption she's a political wizard is undercooked. #MEpolitics 3/3

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 22h

--Roe got overturned with Susan Collins help after she'd pledged to protect it.

--She's thrown in w/ MAGA in every way that counts.

--The idea she's a liar w/ a phony brand is much more pervasive.

--Lots of new Mainers. Lotta old supporters no longer with us.

--Off year election. #MEpolitics 2/X

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 22h

One thing we keep seeing in coverage -- sometimes implicitly, sometimes explicitly -- is the idea that Susan Collins will be a 'formidable opponent' in 2026.

Probably! But past results don't guarantee future performance and there are a bunch of difference btwn 2020 and this cycle. #MEpolitics 1/X

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 22h

Janet Mills launch video. #MEpolitics

Stand Up For Maine

YouTube video by Janet Mills for Maine

www.youtube.com

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 1d

Interesting to see how candor about what's happening in Gaza has become something of a litmus test for the Democratic base -- and a kind of shorthand for authenticity.

Will be interesting to see how Mills navigates that. Unclear to us if she's staked out a clear position previously? #MEpolitics

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 1d

This seems like an anti-Janet Mills/anti-Susan Collins (anti-Paul LePage?) subtweet? #MEpolitics

Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 1d

Can understand why someone might think that...but of course it's completely unproven and it's way too early to know with any confidence what Platner's ceiling (or floor!) is. Even with everything we know about Mills it's super early. Been vanishingly little head-to-head polling vs Collins.

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Collins Watch @collinswatch.bsky.social · 1d

Susan Collins did not win all counties in 2020 and in fact lost Cumberland by about 31,000 votes. (She won the race by about 70,000 votes.)

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