It is "absolutely abominable" how Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has been treated since her "yes" vote propelled Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, Sen. Chuck Grassley said Tuesday.
"It just goes to show you how narrow the thinking of the opposition to Kavanaugh was that they would say those extremist...positions about a person who has been with them most of the time," Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, noted during his interview on Fox News Tuesday night.
He's right. Liberal groups have typically considered Collins a hero, even in recent memory. Her vote against the bill to repeal Obamacare last year even earned her an award from Planned Parenthood.
But that's all forgotten for now.
Collins did not vote "yes" on Kavanaugh on a whim. In her impassioned, yet reasoned 45-minute speech on the Senate floor, the moderate senator explained that she had meticulously read Kavanaugh's former writings and opinions, and sat with him on Capitol Hill to hear him out on matters most important to her, such as abortion rights. She told the press she was assured by the nominee that he would respect Roe v. Wade.
Still, progressive critics lashed out at her, calling her a "rape apologist," and probably worse. Others promised that the Maine senator would never enjoy another quiet day in her life - whatever that means.
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Never let Collins have a moment of peace in public again.
— kat calvin (@KatCalvinLA) October 5, 2018
Still others targeted her Senate seat. Several groups, such as Mainers for Accountable Leadership, have banded together to raise funds for her opponent. So far they raised $3 million.
"I'm going to help raise $3 million to match that," Grassley promised.
Others, like former national security adviser Susan Rice, are taking their resistance a step further and volunteering to run against her.
Sen. Collins, who has proven she can stand up for herself, said bring it on.
It's on. @SenatorCollins addresses the @AmbassadorRice speculation, and takes it a few steps further.... #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/IqzVAEwb9M
— Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) October 7, 2018
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