Sent off to my Maine senator today, after receiving her letter (below mine), and you are welcome to borrow anything you like:
Dear Senator Collins:
Thank you for your response regarding Rex Tillerson. While I am not surprised that you have not yet taken a stand against this nominee, I find it very, very disappointing and hope that you will come to that position in your vote.
I accept your practice as very fair of looking at the person rather than the nominator,-in ordinary times. But there is abundant, hard evidence that these are extraordinary times when the person who nominated Rex Tillerson should be taken into a different kind of consideration- not because of party affiliation, but because of what he is doing. There are times when the situation is so far beyond the norm that it calls for a reconsideration of common practices.
Even without that, though, I would hope that in considering Mr. Tillerson's experience as well as the current circumstances, you would find that his intimate ties to President Putin and the virtual impossibility that the prospect of a $500 billion deal with Russia by the company he has led/worked for over the last three decades would not weigh too heavily on his judgement to allow him to be impartial on the matter. It is simply not believable. And his selection, out of all the possible nominees who might be chosen, is a glaring confirmation of this problem. Many others with the same or better qualifications could be supported without the extraordinary potential conflict and danger of this nominee.
Given on top of this that the oil Exxon would like to profit from cannot be exploited and burned without significantly contributing to the destruction of the planet, I find it unconscionable to give this nominee support. There is no reasonable explanation for an argument that, together with the gruesome prospect of Scott Pruitt heading the EPA, this is anything less than the political maneuvering for an oil grab of unimaginable scale and destructive potential, in partnership with a known and dangerous enemy. And we must all, Republicans and Democrats alike, take a stand for what is right and against this unspeakable prospect.
Senator Collins, we are all aware of your position as one of the few Senators in a position to make literally a world of difference. It is a heavy responsibility, and the stakes could hardly be higher. I believe there is no easy choice for you, but there is one right one. I appeal to your honor, to your honesty, to your patriotism, to your basic human decency and ability to do what is right. We need you, more than ever before, to make it your top priority to fight during these difficult times for the people of Maine, the country, even the world. In giving 'fair consideration,' I ask you in the strongest terms to be fair to us. Please do not wait. The situation is deteriorating by the day. Put people, the planet and doing the right thing first, and reject this nominee.
In the end, while we appreciate your words, it is your vote that will count. I urge you to support us so that we can continue to support you.
Sincerely, Liz Newman
On Mon, Jan 30, 2017 at 3:53 PM, Senator Susan Collins wrote:
January 30, 2017
Liz Newman
32 Sawyer Street
Portland, ME 04103-3451
Dear Liz,
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about President Trump’s nomination of Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. I appreciate your taking the time do so.
Mr. Tillerson has a strong record in business, including decades of international experience dealing with foreign leaders of both our allies and adversaries. I have also been impressed by the support he has received from former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Robert Gates and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. That being said, I appreciate learning your views as I carefully monitor his confirmation process.
The confirmation of cabinet members is a serious matter and a constitutional duty of senators. Throughout my service in the Senate, I have worked to help ensure that qualified nominees receive fair consideration, regardless of the political party controlling the White House. I exercise great care when considering nominations to the President's cabinet by reviewing each nominee's qualifications, character, and professional experience. I also thoroughly review the viewpoints of all interested stakeholders. One thing I do not consider, however, is whether the nominee is the person whom I would have selected. That is a presidential prerogative and one of the reasons that presidential elections are so important.
Again, thank you for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Susan M. Collins
United States Senator
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