I will give Olympia Snowe credit for her vote today, but not Susan Collins, and here's why

[ticapnews]

Senator Snowe stepped up and co-sponsored the Amendment. She gave a powerful speech on the floor of the Senate early this morning in support of the Amendment and against the failed policies of the Bush Administration. It is a rare occasion when she has said the right things in public and then followed through with action on the Senate floor. I applaud her for that.

Susan Collins, on the other hand, has used weasel words to speak on both sides of the issue. Her speech last night was incredibly feeble when compared with Snowe, and she was afforded the cover of knowing that she could cast her vote in favor of cloture without any risk of cloture being achieved. Had the vote been 59 in favor of cloture, I doubt she would have been the all-important 60th. She had a chance to end any such speculation with her speech last night, but she did not. She failed to sign on as a co-sponsor and she failed to provide any leadership on the issue. She failed in her duty to the people of Maine, the citizens of this country and the military men and women enduring a nightmarish hell in Iraq.

Kudos to Olympia Snowe and shame on Susan Collins.

[quispquake]

1. Collins really had no choice...

She's up for election this year...there are commercials being played on how she talks a good line on Iraq, but backs Bush every time...I didn't see her having any choice on this vote...

I really hope people up here realize what a snake she's been, and get Tom Allen in there...

[crim son]

3. That's not true. She had a choice and made it.

Yep, she's a snake.

[ticapnews]

4. She did the politically safe thing

She didn't do it because it was right, she did it because she knew she'd be slaughtered in the election next year if she didn't. She also knew her vote was not going to influence the outcome. She will now try to take credit for trying to end the war - and the Maine media will help her. It is up to Tom Allen and Democrats (and anyone who is sick of this bullshit war) state wide to proclaim loud and clear that Susan Collins is among the Republicans that OWN this war, until she proves otherwise and takes action that counts.

When she signs on as a co-sponsor of the Levin/Reed Amendment and dumps her own toothless version that she was trumpeting last night, I will give her some credit. But she has been an enabler from the beginning, so she can never fully redeem herself. She must be replaced next year.

[crim son]

2. And kudos to you for pointing that out.

I know a lot of conservatives who prefer Collins to Snowe, which tells me something.

[high density]

5. Yep, she wants to be on both sides

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19797695/

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who is up for re-election next year, also voted to advance the bill. Spokesman Kevin Kelley said Collins believes the measure should be subject to a simple majority vote and not the 60 votes needed to end a filibuster. Kelley said the senator still opposes the legislation.

?????????????????????

The logic here doesn't make any sense. If you don't support the bill, why do you care if it fails in a filibuster?

[luckyleftyme2]

6. check her credits out

sen collins has voted for every mis-step this administration has taken,two of the worse
screw ups was "katrina " and walter reed hospital. she was heavily involved (at least she was suppose to be) and they both involved "americans" in need.
THERE is no way I want this person representing me or my family. she has dropped the ball for the last time as far as i'm concerned!