Washington Examiner columnist Guy Benson said Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) “outclassed” her opponent Troy Jackson during their latest senatorial debate, schooling him in government knowledge.
“It did seem like Troy Jackson was trying to attack Senator Collins on one large federal program when the actual attack would be on another large federal program, and he did that a few different times across these debates,” Benson said Wednesday on Fox News’s America’s Newsroom.
Benson pointed out that Collins and Jackson have engaged in three debates leading into the midterm elections, a stark contrast to races like Texas, where Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton and Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico haven’t held a single debate.
“Susan Collins sort of patiently is explaining to Troy Jackson how the government works,” Benson said. “What’s ironic is some of his attacks against Collins, saying, ‘Why haven’t you fixed this’ or ‘[Why haven’t you] done that at the federal level,’ she’s like, ‘Well, actually that’s the province. That is role of the state government.’”
Benson said Collins reversed the argument, pointing to Jackson’s role as the state Senate president, where he held the ability to make changes within the state from 2018 to 2024.
“She wasn’t rude about it; she has sort of her halting form of talking, but she was just kind of nailing him to the wall,” Benson said. “I think overall she kind of outclassed him on knowledge.”
Polls have shown conflicting opinions on Collins’s reelection bid.
A Suffolk University poll released on Wednesday showed Jackson leading Collins by a razor-thin margin of 49% to 47%, with 4% of voters undecided. The survey of 500 likely voters was conducted Oct. 8-11 with a margin of error of +/-4.4% at a 95% level of confidence.
Meanwhile, a Coefficient poll from Sept. 28-30 showed Collins leading 48% to 46% with 6% of voters undecided, taking into account 1,240 likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.77%.
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However, Benson said polls haven’t always reflected the outcome for Collins, who has proven her resilience. In 2020, Collins was down in every poll, but came out on top by nine points, Benson added.
Collins’s campaigns, prior and current, have been independent from outside influence and consistent. While other Republicans have adamantly clung to President Donald Trump’s support, Collins has remained in her own lane. Campaigning with Trump wouldn’t be “part of her brand,” Benson said, as the Republican senator has supported legislation both in favor of and opposing Trump’s agenda.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
