The Maine Republican Party wants Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), one of the seven GOP senators who voted for conviction in ex-President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, to know that they are Not Happy about her decision — but also they love her and, gosh, thank you for being you!
The committee’s leadership team told Collins in a letter published by the Bangor Daily News on Wednesday that they were writing “to condemn in the strongest possible terms” her vote.
But right after that first line, the leaders immediately made sure to emphasize how awesome she is.
“We also want to be clear that we appreciate very much the time you have taken
to hear from us. We appreciate all the work you do that improves the lives of
hard-working Mainers from all political parties,” they wrote. “We know that your work as a Senator and the work of your staff across Maine in constituent services is unrivaled.”
“We appreciate that all so very much,” they continued.
Then the committee turned back to the issue at hand, claiming that Mainers were “almost universally outraged” at the senator’s vote and “have demanded we take action in response.”
“Among other concerns Mainers have expressed are that they personally, and our
Constitution generally, were betrayed by this process and that impeachment
should not be used against a private citizen,” the leaders told Collins.
And then they showered her with praise again.
“We very much appreciate the thoughtful and deliberate approach you take to the serious issues facing our nation,” the committee gushed. “We also appreciate the considerable support that you have provided for not only the Maine Republican Party, but for our County Committees and our candidates across the state as well.”
“Nevertheless, we vehemently disagree with your vote on this matter and condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” they added.
Devastating!
Collins’ office did not immediately respond to request for comment.
The Maine GOP’s borderline reverent “rebuke” stands in deep contrast to other state Republican committees’ fury over their senators’ vote to convict Trump. Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have been censured by the North Carolina and Louisiana GOP committees, respectively, and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) is facing the same punishment from his state’s Republican Party.
In fact, the letter to Collins struck a much kinder tone than the one Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), who had voted to impeach Trump, received from his own family.
“Oh my, what a disappointment you are to us and to God! We were once so proud of your accomplishments! Instead, you go against your Christian principals [sic] and join the ‘devil’s army’ (Democrats and the fake news media),” the family told Kinzinger.
Read the Maine Republicans’ letter below:
