Does Collins Have the Cards?

Trump’s favorite way of keeping GOP legislators in line is a threat of a primary. But Murkowski has already beaten a Trump-backed opponent, Tillis is not running for re-election, and Susan Collins is probably the only Republican who can win a Senate seat in Maine. She is effectively the Joe Manchin of her state. Defeating her in a primary would mean losing the seat to a Democrat, as both Collins and Trump well know.

And so, the answer to the question is yes. Does she have the will and the nerve to play them? TBD.