Republican sources have confirmed what Pine Tree Politics earlier reported: That Senator Collins is not thrilled with the Senate Finance Committee bill, and her statement reflects that.
Local and national media, aided and abetted by the Associated Press, have interpreted the tepid statement from Senator Susan Collins as signaling possible support for a healthcare reform bill. However, our sources indicate that Senator Collins has deep misgivings about the Baucus bill, and would be unlikely to support it in its current form.
Given that, it is difficult to imagine Senator Collins supporting the final product, although of course anything is possible. If one examines her statement in detail, this becomes clear, as she expresses concern about how the Baucus bill would affect the elderly and small business owners – two key areas of concern throughout her career. Her phrasing throughout the release casts the bill in a negative light, saying that it “..falls short…” “…could lead to onerous financial penalties…” “… would adversely affect…” and finally, that she is “disappointed.”
These are not words you use about legislation you’re looking to support, but rather the opposite.
