Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) acquitted Trump, then retooled her rationalization.
On Tuesday, she said she would vote to acquit him because “he had learned a lesson” from being impeached.
On Wednesday, after the vote, “Collins told a reporter from Maine outlet WGME-TV that she used the wrong verb” to explain her thinking and meant she “hopes” his behavior will change. She amplified to Fox News that this is “aspirational on my part.”
So Collins, after voting to “exonerate and vindicate” Trump (in his press secretary’s words), now “hopes” he’ll behave. These are the weasel words of a hack who lacks the spine to stand up for principle, a replay of when she voted to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
OK, boomer. (From one boomer to another).
She will not be voted out of the Republican caucus, which could make reelection difficult than it already is for the incumbent Senator.