Susan Collins Maine

Congressional Republicans’ Support Of Trump Splintering

Ronald 21 Comments

The sycophancy of Congressional Republicans, particularly Senate Republicans, toward Donald Trump is showing signs of splintering on a number of matters, further endangering the party as the Midterm Elections of 2026 come upon us in a little over five months.

Trump’s insistence of total loyalty of party members is wearing thin, as he alienated many by working against the renomination of Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy; endorsed Ken Paxton over Senator John Cornyn for the Texas Senate nomination that will be decided next week; and most divisive, his plan to set up a 1.776 Billion Compensation Fund, also termed the “Anti Weaponization Fund”, for so called victims of government “mistreatment”, including the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrectionists, who went to prison for their crimes, before being pardoned by Trump on Day One of his second term.

The willingness of many Republican Senators to be openly critical of the idea of paying insurrectionists and convicted criminals compensation, often in the millions of dollars, was made evident after a tumultuous two hour meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Among those who were outraged were Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, Maine Senator Susan Collins, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, North Carolina, Senator Thom Tillis, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, and Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson.

But also there are opponents of the proposed White House Ballroom; the proposed Triumphal Arch; and other spending on vanity projects that Trump has promoted.

With Trump’s public approval ratings reaching an all time low, and with the Iran War continuing without any end in sight, and the abuses of ICE and other government agencies and the horrors of so many Trump government officials, we are finally seeing a disintegration of party support for Trump.

The question is however how far will the revolt against Trump develop over the next months until November, and beyond.

Only Two Senators And One House Member Who Voted For Impeachment Of Trump After January 6, 2021 Remain In Congress

Ronald 15 Comments

After the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrection, incited by President Donald Trump, 10 Republicans in the House voted to impeach Trump, and 7 Republican Senators voted to convict Trump.

Sadly, as we face the Midterm Elections of 2026, only ONE House member, and only TWO Senators remain in Congress for the future, and one of the Senators, Susan Collins of Maine, faces a tough contest against Democrat Graham Platner, for her desired sixth term in the upper body.

David Valadao of California is running for reelection, and while the district lines are likely to change, due to the vote of Californians to promote redistricting to favor Democrats, it seems likely that Valadao will keep his House seat.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska does not face voters again until 2028, but having already beaten back an attempt to defeat her in 2010, when she lost the Republican primary, ran as an Independent, and still was elected again, as she was in 2016 and 2022.

Four of the other five Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump all retired at the end of their term—Richard Burr of North Carolina in 2022; Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania in 2022; Ben Sasse of Nebraska by resigining in 2023; Mitt Romney of Utah in 2024; and now Bill Cassidy of Louisiana has been defeated in the Republican primary yesterday.

This is a sad commentary on the reputation of the Republican Party, as Donald Trump works to wipe out the truth and the facts that led to the impeachment trial, and the first time to have multiple members of his party vote to convict and remove.

Two “Independent” Senate Candidates In Nebraska And Montana Give Hope To Democrats!

Ronald 3 Comments

Presently, there are two Independents in the US Senate–Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Angus King of Maine, who both join the Democratic caucus.

In the upcoming Midterm Congressional Elections of 2026, two strongly Republican states have Independents running who give hope to Democrats that if they were able to be elected, they would clearly join the Democratic caucus, while reserving their independence as Sanders and King have done for many years.

These are Dan Osborn, age 51, in Nebraska, and Seth Bodnar, age 47, in Montana, and if either were to win the Senate seats in their states, it would insure that Democrats would control the Senate majority with their help and support on most issues.

This, along with the many potential Democratic Senate candidates who are in their 30s, 40s, and early 50s, would make the US Senate vastly younger in membership for the near future.

Osborn is a US Navy veteran, industrial mechanic, former labor union leader, who challenged incumbent Republican Senator Deb Fischer in 2024, losing by only 7 points, in a race no one thought would be anywhere near that close.

Osborn is now challenging Senator Pete Ricketts, former Governor, who is finishing out the term of former Senator Ben Sasse, who resigned in 2023. Osborn is running as a “rugged guy”, portrayed in similar terms as Graham Platner, who is running for the Maine Senate seat race as a Democrat against Maine Governor Janet Mills, for the opportunity to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Osborn is running on a populist platform, promoting small businesses, family farmers, and workers, and the Democrats, who have not run candidates in recent times in Nebraska, decided they would support him informally, and not have a Democrat in the race. Early indications show a nip and tuck race in polls, so Osborn just might win as an Independent, and bring relative youth to the Senate.

In Montana, Seth Bodnar, age 47, former President of the University of Montana, is running as an Independent, with no strong Democratic opponent for what will be an open seat, as Republican Senator Steve Daines decided not to run for reelection, and endorsed former US Attorney Kurt Alme minutes before the primary deadline.

Bodnar is a US Military Academy graduate who served in Iraq, and was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. He was encouraged to run as an Independent by former Democratic Senator Jon Tester.
So there is a reasonable chance that Bodner could win the Senate race as an Independent, but with leanings toward the Democratic Party agenda, and would likely join the Democratic caucus in the Senate as an Independent.

US Senators 70 And Over: Most Ever!

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The US Senate has 16 members over 75, more than ever before in US History.

They include:

Chuck Grassley (R) Iowa—92
Bernie Sanders (I) Vermont—84
Jim Risch (R) Idaho—83
Angus King (I) Maine—82
Richard Blumenthal (D) Connecticut—80
Ed Markey (D) Massachusetts—79
Peter Welch (D) Vermont—78
Mazie Hirono (D) Hawaii—78
Jack Reed (D) Rhode Island—76
Elizabeth Warren (D) Massachusetts (76)
Ron Wyden (D) Oregon—76
Patty Murray (D) Washington—75
Chuck Schumer (D) New York—75
John Boozman (R) Arkansas—75
Deb Fischer (R) Nebraska—75
Jim Justice (R) West Virginia—75

Risch, Markey, and Reed are running for reelection this fall, which means they would be in their early to late 80s over the next six years term.

This list does not include the following, who are retiring at the end of this year:

Mitch McConnell (R) Kentucky—84
Dick Durbin (D) Illinois—81
Jeanne Shaheen (D) New Hampshire—79

And there are four US Senators who range from age 70-75, and will be in the high 70s during their term if reelected this fall.

Susan Collins (R) Maine
John Cornyn (R) Texas
Shelley Moore Capito (R) West Virginia
Lindsey Graham (R) South Carolina

So one fifth of the US Senate (20), not counting the three Senators who are retiring, fit the definition of “senior citizens”, over the age of 70!

Nine are Republicans, nine are Democrats, and there are two Independents (Sanders and King)

Clearly, there is a dire need for a “youth movement” in the US Senate, as well as in the House of Representatives!

Four Challenging Senate Races For 2026 For Democrats

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Several states with Republican Senate seats up for 2026 will be a challenge for Democrats, with them needing at least a gain of four seats, assuming the party keeps all of the seats they have coming up for reelection, in order to regain control of the US Senate in 2027.

This includes the states of:

Alaska
Iowa
Kentucky
Maine
Nebraska
North Carolina
Ohio
Texas

Today, there will be examination and analysis of the first four races listed above, with a later article on the latter four states.

In Alaska, native American former Congresswoman Mary Peltola is challenging Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, and this is believed to be a potential gain for Democrats, who see her race as the crucial one on the road to a Democratic majority in the Senate.

In Iowa, Senator Joni Ernst is retiring, and Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is favored as the Republican nominee, seen as having an edge in a state that has trended Republican in recent times.

However, there are two Democrats who have drawn interest—Zach Wahls, who became noticed 15 years ago when he openly supported his lesbian parents, and would end up in the Iowa state legislature, as a liberal activist; and Josh Turek, born with spina bifida, but while being in a wheelchair for his lifetime, has been a competitor in wheelchair basketball sports, along with service in the Iowa legislature. Wahls is seen as more progressive, while Turek is seen as more moderate in views.

Kentucky, a strongly Republican state, is choosing a successor to long term Senator Mitch McConnell, who had been both Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader. The Republican favorite is former State Attorney General Daniel Cameron, but challenged by Congressman Andy Barr, one of the most extreme right wing members of the Republican Party in Congress.

Democrats have two former contenders for the Senate—Amy McGrath, former Marine fighter pilot; and Charles Booker, former state legislator. Sadly, it would be a major upset if either Democrat won the Senate seat.

The state of Maine will have the most hotly contested election for the Senate, with Republican incumbent Susan Collins, in her 30th year in the Senate, and having a moderate image, but under attack by both her own party, including Donald Trump, but also Democrats who see a great opportunity to take this seat.

Collins is in her mid 70s, and her two Democratic opponents are sitting Governor Janet Mills, who would be, at 79, the oldest first term US Senator in history, if she won; and Graham Platner, oyster farmer, harbor master, and military veteran, who has become controversial for his past statements, his chest tattoo, and his perceived extreme utterances on a multitude of issues.

Polls indicate a very close competition between Mills and Planter, and between either of them and Collins, and this could be the tipping point election for control of the Senate in 2027.

At this point, the states of Alaska and Maine seem potential gains for the Democrats, with some possibility in Iowa, but unlikely any chance to win in Kentucky!

The Issue Of “Age” In Upcoming Midterm Elections In 2026

Ronald 21 Comments

The US Congress, in both chambers, is the oldest in age of any period of American history, and the issue of whether it is time for members in their 70s, 80s, and beyond to move on, and allow a younger generation better able to relate to the future, to be replacing them.

David Hogg of Florida, who was a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, caused controversy in promoting such change, and he was pushed out, and is working with others to challenge many older, longer serving members in upcoming primaries for the 2026 Congressional Elections.

And the issue has come to the forefront, particularly, in the state of Maine, where Democratic Governor Janet Mills, age 77, is challenging sitting Republican Senator Susan Collins, who will have served for 30 years in the upper chamber, and is presently 72 years old.

So Graham Plattner, age 41, an oyster famer and Marine Corp veteran, is challenging Janet Mills, with the issue of age being a crucial one.

And Maine already has Senator Angus King, who just won reelection at age 80 in 2024, and Vermont has Bernie Sanders, who won reelection in 2024 at age 83.

But there are other such cases, as with Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massacusetts, age 80, who has served a half century combined in the House of Representatives until 2013, and since then in the Senate. Congressman Seth Moulton, age 47, is arguing that while Markey has been an excellent leader for Massachusetts, it is time for change.

Other Democratic Senators of advanced age are retiring, including Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, and New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Also Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is retiring in 2026.

But there are others who are over 70 and choosing to run for reelection, or planning to when the next elecion for their seat takes place, including Ron Wyden of Oregon and Chuck Schumer of New York in 2028.

Also, in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi of California, Steny Hoyer of Maryland, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, and Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, the fist three past leaders in the chamber, are running again in 2026, despite their being in their 80s. And Republican Senator and President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley also could run for reelection in 2028, although at present, he is 92 years old!

It would seem legitimate that these older political leaders would finally give up their positions, and allow for the future generation to take over Congress.

Republican Senate Critics Of Trump “Big, Beautiful” House Bill!

Ronald 32 Comments

Now that the “Big, Beautiful” Donald Trump House bill has passed by the bare margin of 215-214, it is up to the US Senate and Republican majority to have its role in the process.

This bill is so horrendous, that it is hoped that the Republican Senate will balk at it, but hard to imagine that it can be stopped.

Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Josh Hawley of Missouri all have registered problems with the bill, for different reasons.

To count on these four objectionable legislators to, somehow, save the day, and prevent the horrors of this proposed legislation, causes a sense of despair.

If all four, along with Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine, and were to ally together, it could possibly occur, assuming no Democrat would join the majority.

But that is even assuming that Murkowski and Collins would not disappoint which is no certainty!

In Two Days, Trump Has Destroyed Tens Of Millions’ Economic Security!

Ronald 11 Comments

In just two days, Donald Trump has destroyed tens of millions’s economic security, with his Tariff Wars on the entire world, except, interestingly, for such authoritarian governments as the Russian Federation, Cuba, North Korea, and Belarus!

People’s retirement accounts and economic well being, regarding Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and so much else, are being systematically destroyed by the extremist right wing assault headed by Elon Musk, with Donald Trump’s endorsement.

THe nation and the world are in the grips of a maniacal, dangerous tyrant, who seems to have no concern for the damage he has wrought!

One of his unnamed White House aides used the F word, to say Donald Trump did not give a F—-about anyone who opposed what is doing, and that he is not going to change course.

This is a massive domestic and worldwide crisis that undermines everything decent that the United States has promoted and believed in!

Democrats, including Cory Booker, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Murphy,—and Republicans, including Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz, Thom Tillis, Chuck Grassley, Don Bacon—are sounding the alarm, and Congress must unite with Democrats and a handful of Republicans to stop the dangerous, destructive tariff wars that are undermining the American economy and well being of its citizens, as well as the world at large!

Trump Tariffs Cause Biggest Stock Market Decline In Five Years!

Ronald 8 Comments

Donald Trump’s lunatic tariffs have caused the biggest Stock Market decline since March 2020, in the early days of the COVID 19 Pandemic!

Stocks declined about 4 percent, and the effects of Trump tariffs are reverberating all over the globe.

But a few Republicans are starting to revolt against them, including Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and even President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

A movement is starting to take away the President’s assertiveness to control tariffs, when historically, it was Congress that determined tariffs.

The question is, though, will House Republicans revolt in enough number with Democrats to join the Democrats and the few recalcitrant Republicans mentioned above in the Senate, to bring action?

If not, America is on the road to a potential Second Great Depression, and total disarray in international affairs, as Trump makes NATO nations, Asian allies, and China, Mexico, and Canada victims of his maniacal behavior!

It is time for joint action to restrict and limit Donald Trump, and prevent him from becoming a totally authoritarian dictator!

Gutless Wonders, And NOT Profiles In Courage: Republican Senators Who Allow Themselves To Be Controlled!

Ronald 8 Comments

A very disturbing development is the reality that several Republican Senators, who have expressed concern and doubts about various Donald Trump Cabinet Appointments and other nominees who require Senate approval, have shown they are NOT “Profiles in Courage”, but instead “Gutless Wonders”!

The threat of Elon Musk promoting opponents in upcoming Senate primaries has led to these Senators bowing to pressure, and making themselves look unprincipled, and without any morals, ethics, or scruples.

The need for these Senators, all of whom have great financial assets and earlier careers where they did well financially, to cave in to pressure is astounding.

Even if they lost their seats in the Senate, or chose not to run for reelection, they would not be in any kind of financial straits that would pressure them to be cowards, but they are precisely that!

I am referring to those Senators I had written about that might be barriers to Trump’s nominees, including:

Joni Ernst of Iowa
Thom Tillis of North Carolina
Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
Susan Collins of Maine
James Lankford of Oklahoma
John Curtis of Utah

Additionally, a newer Republican Senator, Todd Young of Indiana, after having doubts about Tulsi Gabbard, bent to the pressure from Vice President JD Vance to back her for Director Of National Intelligence!

With upcoming confirmation votes next week, it looks quite hopeless that any nominee will be stopped by four Republican votes against such nominee.

Subject to change, it seems as if only Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky might vote NO, beyond Pete Hegseth, and who can be sure that even those two Senators will be consistent.

This is all very exasperating and disillusioning, as we are on the road to the worst ever Presidential Cabinet of advisers in American History, people in many cases outrageously horrible to be in their positions and guaranteed to conduct themselves in illegal, unethical, and immoral ways!