I just got a call from Senator Susan Collins, doing a live conference call (live blogging)

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She is taking questions from people all over the state. Wonder why she called me.

One topic just brought up was a woman from Bangor who said stem cell research is "Nazi medicine" Collins is explaining why she supports stem cell research... She's having a lot of trouble with this woman. It's very uncomfortable.

Susie is like a tape recorder, "I appreciate you expressing your views"

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1. Next question: will the commissary in Topsham remain open...

Collins says she has been working with the DoD to preserve the commissary.

Anyone want me to get in line to ask a question? :D

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2. Next caller from Rockland

Supports stem cell research. Wants the troops to come home within six months. Says Bush is NOT supporting the troops.

This should be a comfortable moment for Susan...

She pivots nicely, saying the treatment of soldiers is "terrific" on the front lines (HA!) and she is working on a bill to better screen soldiers for traumatic brain injury when they return from Iraq. Says she is as eager to for the troops to come home as anyone, is waiting for the results (August) of the new strategy (which she says she opposed even though she voted for it).

She says all the experts are against withdrawal!

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3. Call from York Beach is proud of the president

and is proud of Senator Collins and wants our troops to stay in Iraq so the fight stays "over there" rather than come over here...

Susan points out she has been to Iraq three times.

Caller says people have forgotten 9/11 and that the president won't allow another one to happen. If the troops pull out we will see another 9/11.

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4. Retired military officer from Cumberland

served in WW2, Korea and Vietnam. Says TOGUS is not receiving the funding it needs. He supports Susan's stand in Iraq (whatever that is this week). Says the president is GOOD for not "ignoring" the National Guard and using them in Iraq!

Susan says she is proud of National Guard members, but is afraid we are asking too much of them.

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5. Call from Caribou

Wants the troops home - too much like Vietnam. Brothers were in Vietnam.
Believes in stem cell research.

Question: Gas prices. Why are they so high? 2.95 in Caribou. Susan was in Caribou last weekend and the prices are extremely high (because you know Susan pumped her own gas).

"We need to do a number of things to lower the price of gas and oil: We need federal legislation to increase fuel efficiency. We need a mandate in this area." Says she has co-sponsored a bill with Snowe that will save a million barrels/day.

Also thinks the tax subsidies for oil company should be abolished. Use the funds for LIHEAP and to help weatherize homes.

Need to reduce dependence on Middle East oil. Points to price shock over the "illegal" capture of British sailors by Iran. Wants to improve conservation efforts.

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6. Susan is now pointing out that she has 6 offices throughout Maine

and her website. She will be on the line until 7:30.

Next caller from South Berwick.

Wants to commend her for stem cell research initiative.

Concerned about the ads on TV. Wants to know if Susan will do something to counter the ads, to clarify her record. Says they are "negative."

Collins says she is frustrated with the ad, says it was totally paid for by out of state groups. That is the type of negative tactic that Maine people have always rejected and she hopes they will this time too. Says her speech was taken out of context.

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7. Collins is using Youtube to spread her message

Says she is too busy as senator to get involved with the campaign this early. Doesn't want to spend money buying TV time to refute the ad.

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8. Caller from Winslow

He has a question on Medicare: His friend had an accident in Canada and Medicare wouldn't cover it. He called Augusta office and got the run around, also got the run around from her DC office.

He also thinks they need to renew the sugar beet program and get into the ethanol business.

She says he has raised some "interesting" issues. Says Medicare will not cover things that happen outside the US. Says he should call the Augusta office...she was obviously listening to this guy when he said he had ALREADY DONE THAT!

Says she is a big supporter of ethanol.

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9. Gary from Falmouth

thanks Susan for her service to the state and country. :puke:

Wants to know if it will be possible to convince Congress to negotiate prices for drugs for seniors.

She says the law "has never made any sense" to her and she doesn't understand why the government shouldn't be allowed to negotiate prices. Says there is legislation coming that would allow the HHS secretary to negotiate prices. She thinks it will bring savings to the government. Says American taxpayers are paying for all R&D for drugs.

Didn't Susie support this bill when it passed?

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10. Next caller from Falmouth as well

Jock?

No, a woman who has written in the past and is grateful for Susie's responses in the past. She wants Susie to stand behind the president more than she is! She knows a man who served in Iraq and was badly burned and was waiting to heal because he wanted to go back and serve "so they won't come to our shores."

Susie says it is a very moving story.

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11. Two more questions...

Next call from Portland. A disabled vet. Why do we always have to fight with the VA when we have a third party providing the services?

Susie says they shouldn't have to. Says veterans' services are funded to allow these things. Wants him to call Portland office with details so they can help him. "I have very capable staff in my Portland office."

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12. Last caller

Will hold another conference call again "soon." Hope I get included in that! :p

On to the last call, from Augusta.

Retired Korean/Vietnam veteran who supports "the troops" - it would devastate the morale of the troops to withdraw them before they can succeed in their mission. (what is the mission again?)

Susan thanks the caller and is now wrapping up. "It's a great honor to be your senator."

[luckyleftyme2]

15. exactly

WHAT IS THE MISSION:this man asked the right question and also gave the right answer at the
same time. their is no mission except to stall as long as possible. like the holy man who was allowed to escape to IRAN this has been a keep alive conflict!

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13. I tried to get the quotes as much as I could

while holding a phone to my ear. In all, the calls seemed to be from the 30% crowd. I do wonder how I ended up on her call list though...

[crim son]

14. Thanks for posting this.

I cannot stand that woman but it is good that you had an opportunity to put in your two cents'

[mainegreen]

16. Interesting. Thanks for the thread.

To bad Collins is such a war hawk and can't take a real stand on national health insurance. Sure sounds like she had opportunities there to make a stance.
She just didn't.