Let's say you're a Republican incumbent who is sitting on a substantial war chest, and deemed invincible by the Conventional Wisdom pundits before the race had scarcely begun. Yet certain friends keep looking for more ways to give you more money than you can possibly use for your own re-election campaign, especially in your cheap-media state. What do you do?
If you're Susan Collins (R-ME), you quietly collect money for your PAC. You hit up some of your most loyal corporate partners, like General Dynamics and Raytheon. And you welcome help from organizations that appreciate the rosy veneer of bipartisanship you can provide, like the Human Rights Campaign.
Then you quietly dole that money back out to some surprising recipients. The kind of Republicans your supporters back home might not associate with your carefully groomed "moderate" image.
Not-so-moderate Republicans like Mike Enzi. And James Inhofe. And that guy you'll vote for as Majority Leader if, with your help, your party takes over the Senate next year: Mitch McConnell.
Who are these fortunate recipients of Susan Collins' Dirigo PAC? Follow below the fold for a run-down, and some thoughts on why should Maine voters (and progressives everywhere) should care how Susan Collins directs her largesse.
(Spoiler: It's about the hypocrisy.)
Collins' Dirigo PAC has passed out over $105,000 so far this cycle. The full list of recipients through July is available at OpenSecrets.org.
Collins has built her "moderate" reputation by highlighting her "better than average... for a Republican" votes in certain areas- in particular, reproductive rights, environmental issues, and LGBTQ rights. It is her votes in these areas that get attention at home- at least, when she bucks her party. Her supporters (especially those organizations that need to justify backing her over a progressive Democrat like Shenna Bellows, who would support their causes on principle, without the need for lobbying and compromises) argue that she shows "leadership". Presumably this means she can bring along others of her party on crucial votes. The evidence of this actually happening is scant, but the image persists.
What is striking about Collins' PAC list is that few of the recipients stand out as natural allies in these areas.
For simple comparison, the scores below are the Progressive Punch ratings based on critical votes on Collins' "signature" issues. Collins herself is near the middle of the pack for most of them- less conservative than most Republicans, but far less progressive than Democrats, with the occasional exception of Blue Dogs like Manchin and Pryor. On these specific issues, she scores 60% for Family Planning (including abortion rights and contraception access); 39.77% on Environment, and 50% on Gay Rights (which is a subcategory of Human Rights and Civil Liberties in Progressive Punch's ratings).
Here's how some of her PAC recipients score on those issues:
Lamar Alexander (R-TN): Family Planning 0%, Environment 1.67%, Gay Rights 0%.
Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS): Family Planning 6.67%, Environment 4.55%, Gay Rights 0%.
John Cornyn (R-TX): Family Planning 0%, Environment 0%, Gay Rights 0%.
Mike Enzi (R-WY): Family Planning 0%, Environment 1.14%, Gay Rights 0%.
Lindsey Graham (R-SC): Family Planning 0%, Environment 5%, Gay Rights 50%.
James Inhofe (R-OK): Family Planning 0%, Environment 1.15%, Gay Rights 0%.
Mitch McConnell (R-KY): Family Planning 0%, Environment 1.15%, Gay Rights 0%.
Pat Roberts (R-KS): Family Planning 0%, Environment 3.57%, Gay Rights 0%.
Collins' "leadership skills" don't seem to have made much of an impression on this bunch when they vote on the issues she claims to lead on.
In addition to the incumbent senators, Collins' PAC has donated to a number of Republican Senate candidates, including Steve Daines (MT), Terry Lynn Land (MI), and of course, Scott Brown (CarpetBag).
It's clear what sort of Senate Susan Collins is trying to help create. What's less clear is why it's the sort of Senate that groups like the HRC would want to help fund.
Or why Maine voters should encourage this kind of "Leadership."
If you agree, show some love for progressive challenger Shenna Bellows. She's not taking any corporate PAC money- or doling any out to Republican candidates.