Progressive groups increase pressure on Collins before Kavanaugh's vote

Progressive groups are stepping up pressure on Susan Collins, including sending hangers, organizing rallies, social media campaigns, calling offices, sending emails and raising funds for a future opponent.

The hangers symbolize the return to women who receive abortions "behind the scenes" before the 1973 Supreme Court ruling legalized abortion.

Collins praised Kavanaugh for her qualifications and said she was encouraged by the fact that Kavanaugh considered Roe v. Wade as "established law" and "previous precedent". Abortion rights groups say they are skeptical of a reliable vote to overthrow Roe or decisions that severely limit women's right to choose.

Collins, who remains undecided, is a pro-choice Republican in a tightly divided Senate, and with Republican Senator Alaska, Lisa Murkowski, are targeted as possible "no's" on Kavanaugh. Collins, Murkowski and the late Senator John McCain, of Arizona, were the only Republican senators to vote against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act in 2017. The ACA vote failed by a vote in July 2017.

Waiting for a potential opponent for Collins – who is expected to be re-elected in 2020 – represents funding of nearly $ 900,000 if she votes to confirm Kavanaugh.

The money would be turned over to the Democratic opponent of Collins if she voted in favor of Kavanaugh.

Annie Clark, a spokeswoman for Collins, said that "anyone who thinks this kind of tactic works does not know Senator Collins."

"This crowdfunding money to pressure Senator Collins is based on a counterpart – you vote the way we want and we'll keep over $ 1 million from your opponent – vote against us and give it the money. It's basically a bribe. These tactics will not work – Senator Collins will decide on the merits of the candidate. Threats or other attempts to intimidate will not be a factor in his decision-making, "Clark said in a statement.

The lobbying campaign, coordinated by the national Be A Hero group and Maine's progressive groups, Mainers for Accountable Leadership and the Maine People's Alliance, exceeded expectations, organizers said.

"It's kind of inconceivable," said Marie Follyater Smith, of Mainers for Accountable Leadership. "It's a sign of people's frustration and commitment, and the importance of voting for them."

About 500 people attended a rally in front of Portland City Hall on August 26 to encourage Collins to vote "no" on Kavanaugh, said Follyater Smith. A new exchange.org petition is encouraging people to boycott Maine businesses if Collins votes to confirm a Supreme Court judge before the new convention takes office in 2019.

Meanwhile, a television commercial aired this weekend urged Collins to vote "yes" on Kavanaugh, extolling the qualities of the judge.

Collins said Friday at an event in Scarborough that she would be looking closely at Kavanaugh's situation, given his duties, his qualifications, his record as a federal judge and his responses to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"I attended confirmation hearings for six Supreme Court justices. I have always waited until the hearings were over and until I examined the documents and records, et cetera, "Collins said.

Collins voted for Supreme Court candidates nominated by Democratic and Republican Presidents, including Liberal Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor and Conservatives Neil Gorsuch, John Roberts and Samuel Alito.

The Supreme Court is currently divided 4-4 between liberal and conservative judges.

This story will be updated.

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