Rep. Poliquin takes aim at Sen. Collins in speech to conservative crowd

Few politicians are as tight-lipped to the public and media about their policy positions and political beliefs as Maine Second-District Congressman Bruce Poliquin, but occasionally, usually in remarks to a purely conservative audience, he explains how he really feels. That was the case on Tuesday, when Poliquin spoke at a cocktail reception in Bangor organized by the right-wing Maine Heritage Policy Center.

An attendee of the event, perhaps their heart melted by the personal health care concerns shared by protesters outside the venue, was kind enough to share a recording of Poliquin’s remarks. Among the many illuminating comments he makes on the tape, which we’ll have plenty of time to discuss, one recurring and striking theme is the congressman’s thinly-veiled attacks on his congressional colleague, Senator Susan Collins.

Early in the speech, Poliquin defends his vote for the House’s draconian health care repeal bill and laments that it hasn’t passed in the Senate.

“It’s the Senate’s turn. It is the Senate’s turn. How can anybody vote not even to start debate on an issue this important?” asked Poliquin. “We’ve got to fix this and we did in the House. The Senate couldn’t get it done. That is shameful.”

Collins and Senator Lisa Murkowski were the only two Republican senators who voted against opening debate on the legislation.

“So where do we go now?” continued Poliquin. “We have done what we needed to do in the House. Pray for our Senators. Reach out to whoever you think you should.”

This statement was greeted with laughter from the crowd and a sarcastic “Who are you referring to, Bruce?” from Maine Heritage Policy Center head Matt Gagnon.

Then, Poliquin pretty much called her a liar.

“Now for some people to say ‘well the reason I can’t support this, Bruce, is because it cuts Medicaid,’ that is a flat out untruthful statement,” said Poliquin.

Collins has been vocal in opposing the Medicaid cuts in the health care repeal plan.

“This bill would make sweeping and deep cuts in the Medicaid program, which has been a safety net program that has been on the books for more than fifty years, ensuring that some of our most vulnerable citizens, our disabled children, our low-income seniors, receive the health care that they need,” said Collins on ABC’s This Week in mid-July. “It would also jeopardize the very existence of our rural hospitals and our nursing homes, which not only provide essential care to people in rural America but also are major employers in the small communities in which they are located.”

In this assessment, she is supported by virtually every independent health care expert and every patient, provider and senior advocacy group in the country.

While some of Poliquin’s own criticisms were oblique, the audience was much more direct in their attacks on Collins, and he did nothing to tamp them down.

One questioner, apparently named Bill, asked what the strategy was for defeating Collins, who he repeatedly described as a “swamp creature,” in a Republican primary.

Far from objecting to the insult, Poliquin responded “I hear ya, Bill,” and launched into a defense of working with Collins (and Sen. Angus King and Rep. Chellie Pingree) in order to get things done for the state.

“But she doesn’t work with us!” said Bill.

“Here’s what I’d tell you is that Maine is a winner take all primary state, and folks have an opportunity and a responsibility to go out and express yourself at the voting booth,” responded the congressweasel.

“She needs to go,” said Bill

“I cannot advise what to do or what not to do,” said Poliquin.

It is stunning to me that Poliquin couldn’t summon even a single kind word for Collins, not even a McCain-esque “she’s a decent person” defense of a colleague who endorsed him, raised money for his campaigns and appeared in ads supporting him. Instead, he repeatedly threw her under the bus.

In contrast, Poliquin was quick to defend President Donald Trump from audience criticism, touting the president’s regulatory rollbacks and (unlike the Senate) his willingness to support House-passed conservative legislation.

These remarks and exchanges are the latest sign of the difficult road Collins would face in a Republican primary for governor. If her Republican colleague in Maine’s congressional delegation is speaking about her this way in front of conservative audiences, you can imagine how heated a campaign could become.

It’s also a sign of how much Poliquin has staked his reputation and political future on his health care repeal vote. He obviously feels left out in the cold by Collins on a deeply unpopular policy.

We’ll have more analysis of Poliquin’s speech coming up.

Video still via official Poliquin campaign video.