I cautiously agree with the argument made in Steve Collins’ recent op-ed, “Susan Collins should quit the Republican Party,” that the senator should recognize that the Republican Party as currently constituted does not reflect her stated values.
I have come to that personal conclusion, and I now register as “unenrolled,” despite my career as a Republican activist from 1968 to 2016. I expect to vote for a reasonable Democrat if Sen. Collins runs as a Republican.
Would I vote for Collins as an independent? I might, if the replacement Republican and Democratic nominee were both extremists. I would prefer some other independent not sullied by votes that have enabled the Trump agenda.
Independent Sen. Angus King caucuses with the Democrats in Washington. If Collins were successfully elected as an independent, with which party would she caucus?
I would trust Collins only if she made a firm and highly public promise not to caucus with Republicans. To do otherwise would be to enable Trumpism.
Douglas Hodgkin
Auburn
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