The McCain campaign’s desperation, so obvious in Sarah Palin’s demagoguery and more recently in robo-calls throughout Maine, has been rightly condemned by all fair-minded citizens. People should be heartened by that, especially since loyal Republican Susan Collins has added her voice to the outcry.

But hold on. Is this the Susan Collins whose supporters paint Rep. Tom Allen as being in league with thugs? Is this the long-time friend and colleague of John McCain who, for his part, has no intention of rejecting robo-call sleaze? Is this the Susan Collins who, as co-chair of the McCain campaign in Maine evidently carries no weight at all in the organization (or with the Republican National Committee as well)? Is this the Susan Collins who reveres the memory of Margaret Chase Smith whose Declaration of Conscience speech before the Senate pricked Joe McCarthy’s balloon?

Alas, it is.

I think her protestations come too late, too weak, and lack genuine sincerity.

Margaret Chase Smith, I think, would not be pleased. Neither should Maine voters.

Paul McGuire, Farmington