A good Republican?

That would be an ex-Republican. Via Think Progress...

Rep. Jim Campbell, a veteran Republican state legislator in Maine, has announced he’s leaving the party over its inability to solve his state’s and the nation’s broken health care system. In a statement, Campbell expresses frustration with the party, saying he wants to “send a message” to Republicans in Washington to stop blocking health care reform for “partisan gain.”

The bells are tolling back home. Are those women from Maine listening?

Shorter Michael Steele…

Dear Olympia,

Please come. Bring Susan. Sit down. Shut up.

Love, Michael

From the "Be afraid…" file.

Paul Krugman...

So Bobby Jindal makes fun of "volcano monitoring", and soon afterwards Mt. Redoubt erupts. Susan Collins makes sure that funds for pandemic protection are stripped from the stimulus bill, and the swine quickly attack. What else did the right oppose recently? I just want enough information to take cover.

That's why the lady is a…

…liar. Susan Collins, 1996…

"I have pledged that if I am elected I will only serve two terms regardless of whether a term limits constitutional amendment passes or not."

Susan Collins, 2002...

"I intend to serve only two terms as I indicated in the Sanfgord forum 6 years ago."

In 2008 you can help Tom Allen make an honest woman out of her at the Upper Left ActBlue page.

Hat tip to Todd Beeton.

Nor I

Kagro X...

Remember when Susan Collins investigated Iraq contractor fraud? Neither do I.

Which reminds me to remind you that Tom Allen is one of the worthy Democrats you'll find at the Upper Left Actblue page.

Good question…

…from Joe Sudbay.

What was Susan Collins doing all those years she chaired the Senate's Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee?

Joe offers the obvious to get the conversation started...

Not oversight of George Bush, that's for sure.

But really, what's she done? Signature accomplishments? Significant crimes against the Constitution?

Whatcha got?

More from the Iowa AARP event.

The Iowa Independent is just full of bloggity goodness today. There's Chris Dodd's advice to Hillary Clinton...

"...if you're going to talk about experience, I'd be reluctant to talk about one that failed, people would like to know your experiences that succeeded."

…and a sobering thought from Senator Biden...

"I don't question the integrity of a single person on this stage, but what's the record of being able to get folks in those red states to vote for this stuff? Folks, think about it. There is no possibility of getting any one of our plans unless you get 15 or 20 percent of the Republicans to join us."

Of course, Joe could be wrong. There could be another possibility. That would be replacing 15 or 20% of the Republicans with Democrats.

We could start here…

Susan Collins continued her support for the war in Iraq today with yet another vote against troop withdrawal. Her vote against Levin-Reed today shows that her support for this war is stronger than ever, said Carol Andrews, Communications Director for the Maine Democratic Party.

Collins' opponent, Rep. Tom Allen, is featured on the Upper Left ActBlue page. You know what to do.

Sic 'em, Tom!

Since our fine Senators from the upper left are secure in their respective seats in '08, I've adopted Rep. Tom Allen, who's facing off against Brand W Republican Susan Collins in Maine as Upper Left's favorite son for the Senate.

Jonathan Singer's interview with Allen at MyDD confirms my good judgment. A teaser…

Jonathan Singer: With Susan Collins being such a moderate and being right down the middle and being so popular, how do you have the audacity to go up against her?

Tom Allen: Well, because it isn't true. The story just isn't true. I explain to people up in Maine that Susan and Olympia have had very soft press coverage for the last decade. I just run through my differences with her, with Susan. Basically she's been for the President's policy in Iraq from the beginning. She voted for the war. I voted against it. I've been a steady critic trying to change the policy for four and a half years. She voted for every single one of the President's tax cuts for the rich, including the '03 tax cut, which Olympia did not vote for. She voted for the energy bill, which moved $14 billion to oil companies. [She voted] for the Medicare Part D, which moved tens of billions in excess profits to pharma. She voted for the military commissions bill, the torture bill and Sam Alito. Doesn't sound like someone who's independent or moderate or down the middle to me.

Me, neither.

The whole interview reads like a primer for other candidates facing "moderate" Republicans whose records don't line up with their rhetoric.

Go. Read.

Sounds like a call to arms to me.

Via Atrios...

Senator Susan Collins’ internet director and blogger Lance Dutson of the Maine Web Report has joined Bill O’Reilly’s smear campaign against the progressive online movement calling it “hateful.” Wrote Dutson of the positive relationship Congressman Tom Allen shares with the community, “Tom Allen has shown a breathtaking lack of judgment.”

Tom Allen believes otherwise. "I appreciate the millions of Americans, especially those from Maine, who participate in the online community. The internet has opened up new ways for us all to communicate, and put the power of information back where it belongs, with the people. I welcome the support that I have received from the online community. And look forward to continuing to have a dialog with the people of Maine and America online,” he said.

To the barricades!

Tom Allen gets it.

"People are overwhelmingly looking for an exit strategy and support setting a deadline for getting our troops out of harm's way," said U.S. Rep. Tom Allen's spokesman, Mark Sullivan.

Susan Collins? Not so much...

A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Iraq is a big concern, but not the top one.

Reward good judgement.

Heh™ .

Kos...

Boy, I bet Susan Collins is glad she had Joe Lieberman raising money for her. Lieberman's fundraiser for Collins raised between $120,000 and $150,000. That's some significant money. Too bad for her that the netroots - MoveOn plus blogs - raised more like $250,000 for her Democratic opponent, Tom Allen. So she ends up more than $100,000 in the hole.

You can help dig her hole deeper at the Upper Left ActBlue paqe.

Good question.

From John Aravosis...

Where is Susan Collins?

Hiding from Tom Allen, I suppose.

And while we're at it, where's that other Woman From Maine?

Rothenberg…

…reports, I emphasize:

VULNERABLE (3 R, 0 D)

· Coleman (R-MN)
· Collins (R-ME)
· CO Open (Allard, R)

Hit 'em in a weak spot.

www.tomallen.org or ActBlue.

Works for me.

That Collins Woman From Maine's campaign says Rep. Tom Allen is an "extreme party loyalist."

Works for me.

With the Gentleladies from the Upper Left secure in their seats, this is a Senate race I'll be touting in '08.

tomallen.org