Susan Collins Will Vote to Confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to SCOTUS
“…she had been reassured that Judge Jackson would not be ‘bending the law to meet a personal preference’ and that the nominee met her personal standard for serving on the court.”
Moderate Republican Sen. Susan Collins told The New York Times she will vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to SCOTUS. It is the first confirmed GOP vote for Jackson:
After a second personal meeting with the judge on Tuesday afternoon, Ms. Collins said Judge Jackson had alleviated some concerns that surfaced after last week’s contentious Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, when Republicans attacked the nominee for her record and grilled her on a host of divisive issues.
“I have decided to support the confirmation of Judge Jackson to be a member of the Supreme Court,” Ms. Collins said in an interview after the meeting.
The centrist senator, often a key vote on Supreme Court clashes, said that she had been reassured that Judge Jackson would not be “bending the law to meet a personal preference” and that the nominee met her personal standard for serving on the court.
“In recent years, senators on both sides of the aisle have gotten away from what I perceive to be the appropriate process for evaluating judicial nominees,” she said. “In my view, the role under the Constitution assigned to the Senate is to look at the credentials, experience and qualifications of the nominee. It is not to assess whether a nominee reflects the individual ideology of a senator or would vote exactly as an individual senator would want.”
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Comments
In other news, the sun will set in the west.
If she voted to confirm the sun would stand still.
It’s hard to believe what a simpleton this woman can be.
But then, Mazie Hirono is in the Senate. So is Corey “Spartacus” Booker. So was Kamala Harris. So is Sheldon “Airplane” Whitehouse.
So sad.
Color me shocked.
Tjus making you shocked of color?
Republicans need to do a better job ensuring these cretins like Susan Collins do not get near power.
SEN Collins is about as conservative as could be elected in her State. Maine isn’t Texas. Speaking of which John Cornyn isn’t close to holding the most conservative which could win Statewide.
Collins isn’t the problem. She’s maxed out the tolerance level for conservative principles in her State. The real problem is the deep red States where we return people like Cornyn, TX or Graham, SC despite them not performing to expectations.
No she ain’t. This excuse is stupid. You run who the best conservative who will advocate ACTUAL conservative positions. If you lose, oh well the better candidate won, but you keep the best conservative who will advocate ACTUAL conservative positions. Don’t give me this nonsense you run moderates to win. Over the long haul we end up losing.
The key to implementing a legislative agenda is gaining a legislative majority. In the Senate that means running and supporting the most conservative candidate who can win Statewide. Running a candidate whose positions are too conservative to the point their electorate will not sustain majority support will result in a guaranteed loss. Politics is the art of the possible and demands compromise. Ignoring this will result in losing elections.
Consider the current d/prog agenda. They have gone so far away from what their constituents will support that we are looking at not only a 40+ seat pickup for r in HoR but potentially flipping 4-6 Senate seats. The d/prog are doing exactly what you are recommending but for the extremes of their party. It’s not going to work for them.
Now if you want to take that same position in red States where the electorate would support far more conservative actions than they currently receive from Romney, Cornyn and Graham among others then have at it. That’s where the problem is; officeholders who are less conservative than their electorate.
I’ve got mixed feelings for our two reliable Republican votes for the other side. There are times like this where I grind my teeth, and times when I see the whole Senate Republican caucus vote as a whole to block some horrid Dem policy attempt and I wonder “What’s different about this one?” She’s far better than a Dem in that seat, no matter how ‘moderate’ said Dem might be, but still…
georgfelis,
Exactly. Would I prefer that ever member of the r party was a full throated supporter of the TeaParty/MAGA agenda who didn’t work to delay or oppose the agenda of DJT in 2017-2020? Sure, it would be great if every State and CD had a 75% majority of DJT supporters.
The real world doesn’t have that. Maine isn’t Mississippi. Colorado isn’t Texas. NY isn’t Alabama. Their electorates are different and attempting to run a DJT clone in every State and CD is a recipe for failure. Recognizing and accepting unpleasant realities is what separates adults from children and realists from dreamers.
Let’s put the same vitriol and energy into our elections in Red States. Support the most conservative candidate, incumbency be damned, who can win. Stop settling for the likes of Graham who are more concerned about what they say on Hannity than what they accomplish in Congress.
“Would I prefer that ever member of the r party was a full throated supporter of the TeaParty/MAGA agenda who didn’t work to delay or oppose the agenda of DJT in 2017-2020? Sure, it would be great if every State and CD had a 75% majority of DJT supporters. The real world doesn’t have that.”
Funny. The Democrats live in the real world, and they ALWAYS have that.
On the incredibly rare occasion that they don’t, as in the case of Manchin and BBB, the world almost literally stands still.
I’ve heard that statement before “run the most conservative candidate that can win”. Now explain how the GOPe sabotages our conservative candidates when they win the primary. One our our problems is inside our party and not with our voters.
Henry – the d/prog are about to lose 40+ seats in the HoR and potentially 4-6 seats in the Senate because the legislative agenda they propose and support is rejected by their constituency.
r2468 – That’s a great question better directed to McConnell. I am not his spokesperson nor a member of the uni party or the GOPe.
In a perfect world DJT would still be President with a r majority in both HoR and Senate. We don’t have a perfect world. We as voters must do more than vote. We have to be willing to get off the couch and recruit better candidates, canvass neighborhoods, man phone banks, take folks to the polls.
Blaming Collins for being exactly what we knew she is and behaving exactly as she campaigned seems incredibly infantile. It’s not as if she is failing to live up to some campaign promise or professed ideology; see Cornyn, Graham, McConnell among others.
Chris, he has a point. Remember, Romney is a GOP Senator.
Collins jus won, she could have very easily voted against
Ridiculous reasoning really
How is it ridiculous to state that our goal should be to support the most conservative candidate which can achieve a majority of the votes in their State; Senate or Governor or their District HoR, State legislature.
The first goal in politics is to win the damn race. If we run unelectable candidates we lose the race. Let’s apply this discussion to other Senators. Is Graham really the most consistent conservative that can be elected in SC? Is Cornyn the most consistently conservative that can be elected in TX?
Collins is probably about as conservative a candidate that can win in Maine. We should be working to make sure that EVERY candidate in every State and CD is the most conservative candidate who can in that particular State or CD.
The problem with many r is that they will bitch and moan about Collins because it’s easy low hanging fruit. Then when asked to demand that the Senate or HoR candidates in Red States and districts also be the most conservative capable of winning in that State or District they go silent or change the subject.
When y’all actually apply the same standards to Graham, Cornyn and McConnell and find, recruit and support a primary challenger who is more consistently conservative than these guys and importantly win the primary and the general election then we can discuss Collins who at least lives up to her billing; she is exactly what she ran as, a liberal to moderate r not a fake or phony MAGA supporter who only pretends to be one during election season.
This right here is a load of bollocks!
True conservatives do not get run in States like this simply because the old GOP controls the selection process. I can tell you now these “useful fools” in no way would have picked up a single Democrat vote just because they were conservative lite candidates! Democrats dont work that way…Democrats would rather cut your left fucking flap off than vote for a Republican regardless of how squishy that Republican was.
Mailman,
You do realize that the State GOP is actually a reflection of the choices made at County level; at least in most States. Local r party members get to vote for the County Chair. Heck, local party members can toss their hat into the ring as a candidate for County Chair.
The r party is under the control of squishy r because the folks in a position to do something to reform it decline to do so. Those folks would rather spend their time and energy bitching and moaning about how the organization is run and scoundrels who run it than roll up their sleeves and get to work to fix it.
It’s not an easy task. You will have to convince people like yourself to get off the couch and attend the meetings, recruit a reform candidate for County Chair, accept the slings and arrows from the establishment, convince others to stay the course and work very hard to achieve the goal.
Then you have to help enough other County level reform candidates achieve victory to gain a majority. Then you have to watch these folks like a hawk to make sure they don’t backslide. Reform isn’t easy but if you actually want genuine change then you have to put out genuine effort. Good luck and west wishes on your efforts.
That Republican represents Maine and has voted “Yes” every time we needed a supreme court justice confirmed and “No” every time her vote would have stopped the nominee.
We have to start thinking strategically. You think you could do a better job? Move to Maine and run for the other senate seat.
Maine is an overwhelmingly blue state and we should be glad we get 90% from one of it’s senators who manages to stay a Maine senator by giving symbolic votes (like this one) to the Democrats.
Oh stop with this “think strategically: dumb talk. People like you always cede ground and what do you have to show for it? Is Susan Collins voting no on this blatant garbage of a Supreme Court pick? Get out of here with that “think strategically” nonsense. And don’t come at me with this “you move to Maine” stuff. I have this view regardless of where I am in the country. Give the people a proper choice and if they choose the other candidate that’s fine. But keep pushing forward pushing ACTUAL conservatives and stop with the nonsense.
She is voting yes on a supreme court justice she can’t stop because people with no strategic thought made a decision to lose 2 senate seats in Georgia.
She can’t stop the nominee which makes this purely a symbolic vote. In return for keeping her special connection to Maine and avoiding losing her seat she is giving the Democrats a purely symbolic vote.
If you think someone who is better could win Maine may I remind you that Marijuana, Heroine and other illegal drugs your state may have legalized are still illegal under U.S. Federal Law.
Susan Collins has come out for us every time it matters (remember Kavanaugh?), she enables us to win when it matters. Democrats vote against you 100% of the time, Susan Collins votes against you 5% if even that.
That’s a losers argument from a Politico troll trying to make conservatives accept a lower standard ( which means we lose) by making nonsensical arguments.
Let me deconstruct that lie right here and now.
First, there is no prize or reward for having a number of seats WHEN those seats are unreliable. ( ever notice the left almost always vote in blocks? They understand this concept well)
There is no fellowship between light and dark and there is no compromise with the left ( especially considering the long term effects of this damage)
A RINO voting against conservative principles is no different than a left vote regardless of the “x% of the time” defense.
If its a blue state, either give them a hard core contrast ( so people can see the difference and maybe change things) or let them have it and focus efforts elsewhere where a difference can be made. Without that- there is no difference and no motivation to change.
A RINO is nothing more than an “appeasement strategy” and anyone supporting it as “the best we can make of it” is simply making excuses.
This idiotic mindset of “accepting what we get” is the SOLE REASON we are getting what we are.
The left rarely has a problem “managing” their caucus and have a very small “DINO” problem- we best adopt the same mindset and methodology and manage our own ranks and get rid of his leftist “compromise’ crap.
The maximum effective range of an excuse is zero meters and a RINO is just an excuse for not being conservative.
I am with Ronald Raegan in being in favor of having a senator from Maine who gives us the votes the vast majority of the time including whenever it matters and against dumping her in favor of a Democrat.
Ya see unlike brain dead assholes like you I have an ability to actually think.
This isn’t “voting against conservative principles” There are 51 Democrat votes for this nominee. The only thing Susan Collins can do by voting no is piss off her constituents and sever her connection to Maine (a blue state).
Susan Collins unlike you knows how to win democrats while still being a conservative. I wish more blue state Republicans knew that, we could use extra senators.
Maximum effective race of losing elections is zero. You are a nobody if you can’t win an election period. If you would prefer a clone of the junior senator from Maine go ahead attack Susan Collins.
No Danny, Politico did not prepare you well for this and I don’t question your ability to “think” as an autonomic function- the results of those thoughts are where the problem lies because every step of your thinking process is fatally flawed.
First, Reagan’s thoughts were from a different time with a different set of players and rules and are now inapplicable.
You then claim the “losers” argument that its “all she can do” which is nothing more than a cop out and excuse for failure. LET HER FAIL because at least then it can be said she “stood for something” ( rather than fall for everything). That’s the creed ( excuse) of the RINO- not the mark of a dedicated conservative.
Take note of how the left polices their own ranks.
I will expose yet another leftist apologetic talking point you make.
Show us all ( by bill #, statute or even major political point) EXACTLY how, when and what specifically Collins ( or any other RINO) has “won democrats” or done anything else to initiate, bring in or promote any legitimate conservative cause or ideal?
Extra senators? more bogus BS. A “senator” who is not 100% “with us” is against us. ( how many left types support conservative causes- very few indeed and those who do are attacked relentlessly)
Here’s another knowledge point Danny boy for you to learn from.
To win the “election” yet be denied the fruits of victory ( advancing conservatism) is a net DEFEAT and no amount of lipstick will fix that pig.
Now, take this newest installment in your education back to your handlers at Politico and review it with them.
Republicans seem to be working their ass off to make sure they never make it near power.
The GOPe can’t grift when they’re in the majority.
The problem is not, nor has it been for about 30 years, getting power. The problem is what they do with it when they get it. And that problem is LEADERHIP. Not Collins, et al. The singular goal of the GOP Leadership for the last 20 years has been to protect The Swamp. Until that changes Collins, et al. will continue to make zero difference.
Of course she will, bless her worthless RINO heart.
Collins is a moderate who voted for Kavanaugh after giving a great speech on the Senate floor and who defeated a left funded Democratic challenger in 2020-The bottom line is that Collins hates political slugfests over SCOTUS nominees
Disappointing – though expected
That being said, from comments off the record and from people in the know, the overall quality of her work is not that high
No surprise there.
She wanted to beat Murkowski and Romney to it.
While I disagree with Collins on voting for jackson, I can understand the political aspects for her in the state of Maine. Romney has absolutely zero excuse in Utah, Mrkowski has near zero excuse in Alaska
She’s opening the door so that 20 to 30 more Republicans can vote to confirm.
Collins and her posse are sometimes with us and sometimes contrary to us.
They are always contrary to us though often times they seem to be with us. But they are not what they seem—they are chameleons.
In normal times she’d be right. But the Dems blew that to pieces; they vote against nominees whose ideology is not of the left, so Reps should vote against nominees whose ideology is of the left.
And if we lose the Maine senate sea……you seem to forget that Maine is a sapphire blue state, and that a Republican Senator from there has to make concessions.
I would rather she make a purely symbolic concession like this one than a major concession. The only way we could have stopped this nomination would have been by winning the two Georgia races.
I have not forgotten that. I don’t know why you think I have. She should still be supported for reelection. But I explained why her reasoning is incorrect.
there is one thing to making an error. There is another thing to throwing the game.
The other senator from Maine is technically not a democrat, King is an independent that chooses to caucus with the dems.
Yeah, but Bernie showed us what that actually means.
In practical terms how much of a difference does that make? I can’t remember any example of him crossing the aisle, or being in any way distinguishable from his peers on the left.
So he’s a communist that doesn’t want to 0penly admit it. Is there really a difference?
Just a note for those who forget a few key facts.
1. She represents Maine a blue state No consistent concessions to that over the years would mean sharing the same fate as Gardener who represented the blue state Colorado. She could either do symbolic concessions like this one (symbolic because we couldn’t have stopped her) or real ones.
2. Mitt Romney has no such excuse, while Maine is sapphire blue Utah is ruby red.
3. Susan Collins has very consistently come through for us every time it mattered, even at the very real risk of losing her senate seat. A Democrat would be against us 100% of the time and that includes the filibuster, and D.C. Statehood and packing the supreme court. We are lucky she has some type of magic attached to herself that gets Democrats to vote for her.
Some type of magic???? She’s a fricking democrat! See, you CAN put lipstick on a pig and call it a republican.
She casts an occasional mostly symbolic vote with Democrats while being with us whenever it matters (remember the circus that was the nomination of a man Democrats tried to frame for rape?). She is significantly more conservative than anyone could ever expect from a blue state and you should be grateful for that instead of wishing to lose the seat to a Democrat who is against you 100% of the time instead of with you 95%.
Collins is what she is.
The real problem is systemic with the party leadership when people like Liz Cheney and Romney are allowed to become what they are.
Exactly. I would rather have another half dozen r Senators like Collins from blue or purple States who are more conservative than their electorate than a half dozen squish r like Romney, Cornyn and Graham from red States who are far less conservative than their electorates.
If you wonder why conservatives continue to fail in conserving anything, look no further than the weakness of the Senate RINOs like Collins.
Nope. Collins is a backbencher. She is certainly not a conservative but she doesn’t make waves – Liz Cheney – and has generally sucked it up and voted “right” when necessary. This particular vote was a small disappointment but expected.
The problem is the GOP Leadership. Mitch and Kevin worked their asses off for four years to undercut everything President Trump tried to do. They sat back and allowed Democrats to steal the 2020 election and have gone out of their way to condemn the J6 prisoners who never should have been arrested in the first place.
Until the GOP Leadership steps up to the plate and starts walking a conservative walk and really start fighting for keeps we’re going down the yellow brook road to hell.
met her personal standard for serving on the court
Yeah, and I bet a garden slug would meet “her personal standard” for a SC justice… but at least a slug (being hermaphrodite) would have an excuse for not being able to say what a woman is.
You can tell who the unsophisticated, amoral, unserious rubes are in the Senate. They are the ones who talk about qualifications and degrees rather than support for pedophilia and racist creeds like CRT as if that is an excuse to put someone on the court who will work against the Constitution.
“But darling, she went to all the right schools.”
A pox on them!
Susan Collins is not a principled politician. She’s a practical politician. She thinks this vote will help her stay in the Senate so that’s what she does. This isn’t all that surprising.
Maybe Mitch wanted 1 R vote and she stepped up because it won’t hurt her at home Unlike the other squishes that are feeling the heat. Sometimes you take one for the Uniparty.
It SHOULD be an automatic disqualifier for anyone who professes not to know what a woman is.
Susan Collins voted NO for Amy Coney Barrett but says she will YES for an individual that is an Extreme Leftist Activist.
…another lifelong Republican supports the deconstruction of the constitution. Is this because she is retiring or does she plan to seek office again?
Are there no MAGA folks to run against this “centrist?”
Ketanji Brown Jackson meets her “personal standard”, but Amy Comey Barret did not.
She is not a moderate. She is a way out left wing liberal.. pretending to be a Republican. She is supporting a Marxist and the destruction of the US.
I have two questions:
In what universe does any thinking person believe such reassurances, given what Jackson has publicly said, and why haven’t the people offering said reassurances been identified?
Why should I believe this isn’t a transparent attempt to pack the court? We have only the word of the justice Jackson is replacing that he will step down, and he cannot be forced to step down if Jackson is added to the court.
This nonsense again? Where is this nonsense idea coming from? If Breyer doesn’t resign Biden will not be able to appoint her because there will be no vacancy. This is not hard to understand. I just don’t get where people could possibly have got any other idea.
Moderate my ash.
So, Collins supports going light on pedophiles. Why is this not a surprise?
Collins is evil
Murkowski will join her, also evil.
To anyone who was hoping for Sinema to be a contrarian again, we’ll be getting no help from her, as I fully expected:
Color me surprised (NOT) that Susan Collins would vote for a radical Supreme Court nominee. Collins has been assured that Jackson won’t allow her radical personal beliefs to affect her judgement on cases before the court. I feel much better now. It appears it doesn’t take much to win over that nitwit.
Mainer, is Collins the best you have?
Color me surprised (NOT) that Susan Collins would vote for a radical Supreme Court nominee. Collins has been assured that Jackson won’t allow her radical personal beliefs to affect her judgement on cases before the court. I feel much better now. It appears it doesn’t take much to win over that nitwit.
Mainers, is Collins the best you have?