For the first time in 30 years, according to the latest polls, Maine has two candidates that can beat Sen. Susan Collins.

Sen. Collins’ leadership has always smacked of theater. She expresses moderation in her words while her actions have always been very much to the hard right. It doesn’t seem to matter that she hurts the very people in her party, who are her bread and butter voters, so long as she wrings her hands before and after the vote. Opponents have gained their edge by making this behavior clear in their campaigns. 

The finish line, however, is hardly assured. The leading candidates should not be lulled into believing the president’s disdain for Sen. Collins. He understands Collins’ winning strategy. Any public acrimony between the two should be suspected as no more than a voter con-job, designed to lull the headline-reading moderates Collins needs into her camp. 

Whoever wins the Democratic primary should be prepared, without question, for more of the same games and tactics. Another possibility is a financial broadside from the president’s administration toward Bath Iron Works’ financial future — this kind of empty threat could allow Sen. Collins to step in, “save” the day and broadcast it all over in campaigning.

Opposing candidates can strip this smoke screen of plausibility by proactively predicting such a move ahead of the hand being played, generally or specifically. Such communication owns the story and reminds voters how they have been, or can be, manipulated to vote against their own interests on real matters of consequence … once again. 

Tom Myette 
Southport