The Collins Campaign Knows What They're Doing

Normally the endorsement of the MEA, the union representing 25,000 public school teachers and educational staff would be big news in a campaign, as it was recently for Chellie Pingree. In the senate race, however, the endorsement was framed differently in the press. Suddenly, rather than Allen gaining an important endorsement, "Allen, Collins, both claim education endorsements".

Collins managed this neat trick through some good preparation. First, she fought hard for the MEA nod, according to Tom Major, president of the South Portland Teacher's Association, who writes about the process on his blog. In the end, Allen won on a divided ballot.

When that didn't work, the Collins campaign had Plan B ready to go. They had scrounged up 70 teachers willing to support the campaign and had a press release and a website page written and waiting. Suddenly, on the day of the MEA endorsement, Educators for Collins was born and its 70 members were getting just as much ink as the MEA's 25,000.

There have been many complaints of media bias towards Collins, including today in the PPH, and this might be placed in that category. With the recent cutbacks at news outlets, however, bias isn't even required. All that's needed is overworked reporters and a campaign with some decent media manipulation skills.

It's up to the Allen campaign to inoculate the press and make sure they expect these tactics and know the real score. This isn't exactly a hard tactic to predict. In fact, it seems awfully familiar.

"The union representing Maine teachers on Tuesday endorsed Democrat Chellie Pingree in her Senate bid. Republican Sen. Susan Collins responded by announcing the formation of an "Educators for Collins" group independent of the Maine Education Association."
- AP July 23, 2002

2 responses to “The Collins Campaign Knows What They're Doing”

#1Submitted by Stephen (not verified) on July 22, 2008 - 12:19pm.

Snob Nose, Better than thow, Susan Collins.....

Susan's Fifth time and she has no more concern for our youth than a lion has for swimming! She is the most stuck up, uncaring, get out of my face political person I have ever TRIED to meet, not for me, but for my SON who has huge political aspirations. My son has tried with my help to meet her with yesterday's John McCain appearance being the fifth and I can tell you final time....!!
I've heard her speak so many times I've lost count. She is a hollow, shallow, NO PERSONALITY, useless waist of tax payers money..!!
It's TIME FOR COLLINS TO GET OUT AND STOP "PRETENDING" SHE'S A QUALITY POLITICIAN....!!

Yesterday my son and I went to see John McCain, our NEXT President..! Should the uniformed, hypnotic, smooth and TOTALLY misinformed AMERICAN's vote for Osama, this country will be taken back to a time of DARK days of our country. I have heard, watched, listened to Osama's YoYo like campaigning and have found NOTHING but another "Slick Willy" trying to pull the wool over American Lamb's eyes.

Mr John McCain however, is a MAN who has the knowledge, First hand long term experience, the balls to go against the majority when he feels it is right for OUR country and comes out on TOP. A man gracious enough to not say "I told You so". I can also say this about Mr McCain, he looks younger in person, he's incredibly energetic, is polite, has an approachable demeanor, willing to listen and also willing to take command should the need arise. One time my life depended on reading a person's body language, expressions, speech and tone and most importantly the person's eyes. It's quite simple to know when a person is lying and when one is not, Mr McCain is NOT....!
On the other hand, watch, listen and hear the body movements, eyes, tone of voice and reactions of Osama when he is asked a question in which he does not know how to answer or a question he had answered just a few days or weeks prior completely opposite of his present stance! Watch his eyes, body movement and reaction, especially in the tone of his voice........and where he looks and also his pupils. He looks towards the way one looks who is trying to make up an answer and his body language shifts to that of a trying to defend himself, and his tone changes dramatically as well as his style of interrupting and not letting the other finish!
We just had one of these type "Slick Willy Liars" not long ago....! He brought disgrace to the White House and a laughing stock of politics in the US.
Then came another who restored the integrity. Now we have a Man and Woman who has and will continue to keep the integrity and graciousness that our fore fathers would expect. who you ask.......

John McCain and Mrs McCain(< my choice for VP, put michelle's resume up against Mrs McCains and michelle comes out looking like a kindergartner).

John McCain and Olympia Snowe are two who have contributed and DONE a great deal for our state and country.

SUSAN COLLINS ------- AS USELESS AS RUNNING OUT OF Toilet Paper.....!!!!!!!

#2Submitted by Stephen (not verified) on July 22, 2008 - 12:41pm.

Susan Collins <<< Stuck up Snob

Susan Collins, what a waiste. She is no more interested in Maine people than the Elephant Seals who lounge around during the day on the West coast !!!!!!

Five, yes 5 times my son who is a National Honour Society inductee, past boy scout, VP of student council, numerous time paige at the State house in Agusta, a scholar in American History who just earned 3 college credits by scoring the highest one can on his AP History exam. He is a living, walking breathing, teaching civil war historian and a member of the 3rd Maine Infantry. He's assisted our local State Rep's, met past Governor Angus King, is his High Schools unoffical political liason, cum laude student, received a paid scholarship and chosen to attend the 2008 Boy's State held in Waterville, ME., was the sole winner of the prestigious Boyle five hundred dollar scholarship, has been nominated FOUR, that's 4 times by 4 different teachers two of which he never had for any classes to attend the NYLC. National Youth Leader's Council and two other similar exlusive courses for youth who show potential to be tomorrows leaders. **Note** Most students are nominated by ONE teacher, some TWO, None THREE and FOUR is just unheard of, this from the people who run this program! He has yet to attend do to financial reasons, but he will prior to graduating.

My son has tried to meet and at least say hi or talk with SUSAN COLLINS.........? It's always she's too busy or in a hurry, the TRUE fact in my opinion is, she could care less about some pion kid..! Why would I say this, three times now I have personally witnessed his attempt, three times now I have heard Collins and her so called aide tell my son she is too busy we'll take your name and she will send you a picture? WHO wants a frigin picture of her first of all? Second, she never has! She's NEVER returned any calls or email, wow, just the type of person I want representing our state.
Yesterday she gave my son the same old crap, yet John McCain was able to say hi, shake his hand while Susan "I'm too busy" Collins is seen in the background standing there looking like she is completely out of her element. In other words, she was around regular Maine people who were in T-shirt and jeans, while she was in her HIDEOUS most likely non fitting designer dress.
SUSAN COLLINS WILL NEVER GET MY VOTE AND I HOPE MAINE WAKES UP AND DOES NOT GET YOURS.

Susan Collins needs to leave Washington, she has no idea of what it means to our future leaders to at least take a moment with them. She is nothing more than an empty Puppet. By the way, when she spoke yesterday among the three, she was speaking, but NOTHING was being said........She said NOTHING remotely interesting or helpful to Mr Mcains campaign!

POOR, POOR SUSAN........You have my word, I'll do whatever it takes to get you out of your LUXURY life you lead in Washington!

To sum her up in one word..........USELESS