Collins: Anti-Kavanaugh Opponents Try to Buy Votes and Acquire Positions

Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsTrump, GOP, wants to arm Kavanaugh's vote before November Daines' son shares the father's video watching Kavanaugh Trump's vote: Murkowski's vote on Kavanaugh was "really unacceptable" (R-Maine) Sunday criticized progressive Maine groups who promised millions of dollars to his opponent in 2020 to oppose his vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Collins, in the CBS Sunday's "60 Minutes" broadcast, called the crowdfunding operation "an attempt to buy votes and positions." She said that it did not influence her decision to vote for Kavanaugh.

"It's a classic compromise as defined in our corruption laws," Collins said. "They are asking me to perform an official act and if I do not do what they want, two million dollars and more will go to my opponent."

"I think if our politics has come to the point where people are trying to buy votes and positions, then we are in a very sad situation," she said.

The groups started raising funds several weeks ago, hoping to encourage Collins, a Republican majority vote, to vote "no" against Kavanaugh for his record on women's rights. Crowdfunding efforts have been overshadowed by Collins' reluctance to face allegations of sexual misconduct against the Supreme Court's choice.

The effort hit $ 3 million in contributions over the weekend Collins voted "yes" for Kavanaugh. He was confirmed as judge on Saturday.

The campaign was hosted by the Be A Hero team, the Peoples Alliance of Maine and Mainers for Accountable Leadership.

They say their goal is to remove her when she is elected in 2020, given her vote for Kavanaugh.

"Maine deserves a senator who would shrink from the idea of ​​confirming before the Supreme Court a proven liar, an emotionally unstable supporter," said the groups in a statement. "Maine deserves a senator who will believe the survivors, who will listen to their stories, and who will represent them with honor." Susan Collins is no longer capable of doing so.

Collins has previously described this effort as a "bribe".

The September campaign revealed in a statement to The Hill that Collins' corruption charges were "the worst of politics".

"We absolutely have the right to prepare to overthrow it, given all that Justice Kavanaugh would do in the Supreme Court to worsen the lives of Maine women, people with pre-existing illness, and people who care about the content of our lives. Democracy "-Director of Mainers for Accountable Leadership, said in a statement to The Hill.

Although some have launched the opportunity to challenge Collins, no one has officially announced a campaign to oppose it.