Critics on both sides assail Susan Collins on Supreme Court fight
"No matter how I vote there are going to be people who are furious at me," Collins told
What that means is that both sides are taking aim at the four-term Republican, one of a handful of potential swing votes who could decide whether Trump's selection joins the nation's highest court.
Collins clearly understands the stakes and the pressure that's going to be exerted on her once Trump backs someone to succeed retiring Justice
"It's not the assistant deputy secretary for weights and measures at the
Though Collins has voted for each of the five
In a series of interviews over the weekend,
Collins told
In response, conservatives such as
The chairman of the
Harris said Monday the 10 hangers she ordered on Amazon should arrive at the senator's
"There's nothing subtle about them," Harris said. "It's really in-your-face."
Wire hangers are a symbol of the sorts of self-induced or back-alley abortions prevalent in the era before the
Harris, a former communications director for the pro-choice, Democratic Emily's List, said that she isn't confident Collins will defend abortion rights given her willingness to cave to GOP pressure on many votes in recent times, including a
"Either she's naive or she thinks we are," Harris said.
"Either that, or she's being disingenuous about her commitment to women's health and reproductive rights, " Tribe said. "Her constituents and colleagues must call BS on her 'respect for precedent' dodge. It's truly empty."
While partisans parse every word from Collins' weekend interviews, her own stance is pretty clear and oft-repeated over the years.
She has said on many occasions she will vote for judicial nominees whose careers exemplify that they have the temperament and character for the job. But perhaps even more important for her, based on what Collins has said over the years, is that prospective judges have a respect for precedent and put the law above their own personal beliefs.
It isn't clear how Collins would know if a Trump selection for the court would uphold Roe or not.
Since the failed nomination of
Collins said it would be inappropriate for a senator even to ask directly.
Collins, then, would have to base her judgment on whether a nominee might overturn Roe on whatever clues can be discerned from the person's past.
Collins said that a nominee could be personally opposed to abortion as long as those views were accompanied by a humble respect for long-standing precedent. In short, Collins is going to require some proof of demonstrated anti-abortion bias before she opposes a nominee.
For liberal activists, the fact that someone is selected by Trump -- who has vowed to pick judges who will torpedo Roe -- is enough to be wary. Harris, for instance, said she doesn't think abortion rights adherents can trust Collins.
For Harris, it's obvious the court pick process is going to be a fight.
"It's time to take the gloves off," she said.
Harris said she understands that it won't be an easy struggle to win given the
"They're kind of in a lose-lose situation," she said.
Collins told The New York Times that by the time the battle ends, some will view her as hero and others as a villain.
"I'm sure I will be both," the senator said.
___
(c)2018 the Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine)
Visit the Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine) at www.sunjournal.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Two Alabama jurists on Trump’s Supreme Court nominee list
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News