She’s known as the Blue State Republican and as such she’s critical to maintaining a Republican majority in the United States Senate. Her ability to continue winning that Blue-Maine Senate seat has been an essential factor in every Republican Senate majority since she was sworn in in 1997.

It’s not just what she does, it’s what she empowers Senate Republicans writ large to do. The war in Iraq, the Patriot Act, The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the confirmations of John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, the attempted outright destruction of the Affordable Care act (Obama Care), The Big Beautiful Bill. The list goes on and on, when the Republicans burn down valuable social programs Susan Collins is a part of that, actively or passively.

Yet she deftly maintains the aura of a moderate or ostensibly a more reasonable Republican. An essential factor in terms of her ability to continue to win reelection continually in a state that leans solidly Democratic. How does that work exactly?

Susan Collins has become a master of avoiding responsibility for Republican efforts that are or would be unpopular in Maine. To do this she works very closely with Republican leadership. The big question always being, is my vote needed? If the answer to that question is no she is free to vote against the Republican position. If the Answer is yes we need your vote, then Susan Collins falls into line with her Republican colleagues and backs leadership, whatever the consequences to Maine or the country may be.

That was on full display in the Big Beautiful Bill votes. In the vote to move the bill to the a full vote on the Senate floor Susan Collins voted yes (Aye). But in the final vote her vote was not needed and she voted no (Nay). As a result she can maintain that she voted against the bill. It’s a constant process of posturing all the while being a vital component of the Republican nonstop war on social programs.

It’s a shell game that she plays with the voters of Maine. Always appear moderate and always keep the Republican machine moving forward, regardless of the consequences.

Why is the Graham Platner campaign doing so well? Because Platner is shining a light into Susan Collins game, forcing her hand and not allowing her to remain comfortably in the shadows. Susan Collins has long known that the Republican congressional agenda is toxic for the American people but she has remained a loyal and reliable asset nonetheless. Is her game finally up? We will soon know.