Regardless of what assurances he gives to the Senate, it should be obvious to everyone that Todd Blanche lacks the requisite independence to be our next AG. Will Susan Collins agree? After all, she voted to confirm Pam Bondi and Kash Patel. And, of course, she supported Bret Kavanaugh, scolding the doubters along the way. We all know how that turned out.
Collins doesn’t have any good options; she’s either going to offend MAGA supporters or the center left in Maine with her vote. My guess is that she stands more to lose by voting to confirm Blanche, but that remains to be seen. Graham Platner and I will be watching with keen interest.