Collins Campaigns With Manchin in Maine, Opposes Trump Russia Diesel Deal and Sanctions Waiver

2.0 · 10d ago · US

The Facts

  • Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) had breakfast with independent former Sen. Joe Manchin and Maine voters in Lewiston on Wednesday as part of her reelection campaign. CBS News only
  • Collins is running for a sixth term and is the only Republican senator up for reelection in a state Trump lost; CBS News rates the race a toss-up. CBS News only
  • In 2020 Collins won by more than 8 points while Trump lost Maine by 9 points. CBS News only
  • Collins said she does not support Trump's decision to waive new sanctions on Russia and strike a deal to import Russian diesel, arguing it will give Russia more funding to attack Ukraine. CBS News only
  • Asked about Trump envoy Steve Witkoff calling Vladimir Putin a 'humanitarian' for releasing a jailed U.S. citizen, Collins answered 'no' and called Putin a 'warmonger, a thug.' CBS News only
Dive deeper · 3 more factsShow less
  • Collins has criticized Trump's handling of the Iran war, saying in debates he lacked a good plan and the conflict should end. CBS News only
  • Democratic opponent Troy Jackson, a former state Senate president, said at a debate last week that as appropriations chair Collins could cut off war funding if she wanted to end the war. CBS News only
  • Protesters outside the event called for Collins to retire and held cutouts of Brett Kavanaugh's face, referencing her vote to confirm him; supporters chanted 'six more years.' CBS News only

Context

Collins, who has a record of splitting with her party and outperforming other Republicans in Maine, appeared with Manchin, who left the Democratic Party and retired from the Senate in 2024. Manchin said Collins represents Maine rather than a party. Jackson and a protester, former legislator Elaine Makas, argued Collins disagrees with Trump only when her vote does not matter; Collins says she often votes against his wishes.

How the Agent Panel Scored This

Independent AI personas each scored importance 1–10; the story's score is a trimmed mean (highest and lowest votes dropped). Vote spread: 0.

2 Informed Citizen This is campaign appearance coverage where the concrete events are a breakfast event and a senator's statements opposing a Trump policy without any new binding action, so it scores low despite the policy backdrop.
2 Business Analyst This is a campaign appearance with statements and criticism of Trump's Russia diesel waiver and Iran war, which are rhetoric rather than new concrete policy actions by Collins, so it scores low.
2 News Editor This is a campaign appearance with a senator's statements and criticism of Trump's Russia and Iran policies, with no new concrete government action, so it is mostly rhetoric and routine electoral news.

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