Maine's Middle Woman

In 1971, Caribou High School senior Susan Collins traveled to Washington, D.C., as a member of the U.S. Senate Youth Leadership program. She’d never been on a plane before, and never been to the nation’s capital—but the highlight of her trip was a two-hour meeting with Sen. Margaret Chase Smith.

“I walked out of her office so impressed, and so convinced that I could do anything if I put my mind to it,” Collins says. “I don’t think I’d be here without that meeting.”

“Here” is the U.S. Senate, and the seat once held by Smith, which Collins won in 1996. Not unlike Smith, Collins’ centrist political philosophy, a willingness to take on her own party and to work with the other, has—along with fellow Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe—made her a powerhouse in Washington. She’s been touted as a potential secretary of homeland security, and even named by a national magazine as one of six women who could be president. She plans to run for reelection to the Senate in 2008, to keep representing the people of Maine.

And why not? Collins is, at heart, a Mainer. Her family owns and operates S.W. Collins, the fifth-generation Caribou lumberyard and building-supply center that first opened its doors in 1844 and is now run by two of her brothers. Her parents, Don and Pat, both served as Caribou mayor, while her dad served in the state Senate and her mom chaired the University of Maine System Board of Trustees. Senator Collins travels home to Bangor nearly every weekend, gets back to Caribou as often as she can, and likes nothing more than visiting her lakeside camp in West Enfield.

Bangor Metro talked to Senator Collins about Senator Smith, Maine, the Senate, and her passions during her limited downtime.

You have said meeting Margaret Chase Smith in Washington as a high school student changed your life. What did Senator Smith say to you?

She taught me the importance of standing tall for what you believe in. She did not talk to me about being a woman in the Senate, or anything along those lines. She just stressed speaking out for what you believed. She also told me about her famous declaration of conscience, when she took on a fellow Republican, Joseph McCarthy, at the height of the Red Scare. She was so strong, a real role model. Just seeing a woman serving on the Armed Services Committee and playing such a huge role in the world made me realize I could do anything. I truly believe that was the first step on my journey, because her powerful inspiration remains with me, and 25 years later I hold her seat. I remember thinking, women can do anything. This was 1971, and that was not the common wisdom back then.

Tell me a little bit about Caribou, and how growing up there in a family with small-business and political roots made you who you are today.

Caribou is a place of caring people and has such a strong sense of community. Much of my family still lives there, and they each have pretty large families. I like to think I learned that sense of community there, from a family that believed strongly in working for the community for four generations. I also learned from them that your voice would be heard if you spoke up and got involved. I remember my mother once telling me that you had no right to complain if you weren’t willing to get involved. That was very motivating for me, and still is.

I’m told that your first job was at the Caribou library, and that you’ve visited 155 Maine schools, often reading to younger children. Why do you like to do that so much?

My very first job other than picking potatoes was reading for story hour. I loved reading to children, and I still do. I particularly love reading to second graders because they are at such a delightful age. I’ll read Miss Rumphius, by [Maine author] Barbara Cooney. I read Antlers Forever [by Maine author Frances Bloxam] to first graders. I want to share with them my delight in reading. I’m proud to be the only U.S. senator who has read all of the Harry Potter books. [Laughs.] I read weightier tomes, too. I recently read Fiasco [a Thomas Ricks book about the Iraq war]. I’m a voracious reader, and I want to share my love for reading and emphasize the importance of education.

You’re often praised for your moderate politics and bipartisanship. Where does that come from, and how does it serve you and the state?

That reflects the tradition that Maine has had for some years in the Senate. We’ve had a tradition of sending senators who have made a difference and who have been able to work with all sides: Muskie, Cohen, Senator Smith. Olympia and myself are continuing that tradition.
But it also comes naturally to me. My political philosophy is pragmatic and moderate, and that’s reflected in my approach. I think that’s what Mainers want: commonsense solutions as opposed to a partisan approach. I’m very proud that virtually every bill I’ve sponsored has had bipartisan cosponsors. It’s one big reason I’ve been able to get so much done.

How do you find a balance between representing the people of Maine and—if there’s a difference—doing what’s best for the country?

The first question that I always ask myself is, “What is in the best interest of Maine?” The people of Maine only have two senators, and if we don’t represent their best interests, no one else will. The second question is the impact on our country, and that is a factor. But I always put the interests of Maine first and I think that is the right thing to do. That’s my primary responsibility, to the people who elected me.

You’ve also taken some heat for being a moderate. How do you feel about being called a RINO [Republican in name only], or having your party loyalty questioned?

When people do that, I always say that my DNA is moderate Republican. I reflect the mainstream Republican Party of the northeastern United States, and I think I’m very much in tune with that. I know that more conservative-thinking people want to apply these strict ideological ideas to the issues, but we’re the party of Lincoln, the party of the big tent. Our ideals should be personal liberty, less government, strong national defense. I respect people who think differently, and I think it’s unfortunate when labels get tossed around.

How have you changed since you’ve been in the Senate?

I’d say that I’ve gained an enormous amount of knowledge. I’ve learned so much in 10 years, about national security, foreign affairs. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to and learn from some of the top people in their fields in the world. Equally important, I’ve learned how to get things done. This is a group of 100 people, and personal relationships and the ability to work well within the arcane rules of the Senate really matter. I’ve learned how to get things done.

What do you see as your most important accomplishments, legislatively?

The work that I did writing the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act in 2004 was probably the most important piece of legislation that I helped author. That bill incorporated the primary recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and made some sweeping changes that are very important. That’s where [Sen.] Joe [Lieberman, D-Conn.] and I really forged a bond, and it was truly landmark legislation. No. 2 would be a law from 2003, when I worked with [Sen.] Ben Nelson [D-Neb.] to provide $20 billion to the states to prevent cutbacks in healthcare programs when states were running deficits. I got $116 million for the state of Maine over 18 months, and we helped prevent cuts in Medicare.

How has your role changed after the 2006 election?

Of all the Republican committee chairmen, my role as chair of Homeland Security has changed the least. I have such a close relationship with [Sen.] Joe Lieberman, who’s now chair, that the day after the election, he told me, “Susan, the only thing that’s going to change is where we sit.” That’s not quite true, but he has treated me as an equal partner, almost like we’re comanaging. I kept forgetting at times, and I would jump up when I should’ve been deferring to him. But it’s a real partnership.

I read that the president calls you Sweet Suzy.

I think it was Sweet Sue. Lately, he’s taken to calling me “Sues,” which is funny, because the only other person to call me that was Fred Thompson, the senator who’s now an actor on Law and Order [and Republican presidential candidate]. There’s sort of a club mentality in the Senate, and that’s why the relationships you develop are so important.

Yet you come home to Bangor just about every weekend. Why?

Going back home every weekend helps keep me grounded and reminds me of what is most important to the people I represent. It’s easy to get caught up in the Washington whirlwind and start thinking that the issue that we’re fighting about is the most important thing in the world. But when I go home and go to the grocery store and church, I get a really good sense of what Mainers care about. People stop me, and they give me very useful feedback, insights, and information, and that’s really helpful to me. It’s also soothing in some ways to get away from Washington and back to the commonsense values of people in Maine.

What do you look forward to when you’re coming home?

I love my house in Bangor [Little City neighborhood]. I spend a lot of the weekend doing events around Maine, but whenever I can get home, I love it. I have a lot of good friends in Bangor. I enjoy everything from cooking dinner for friends to going out to a restaurant to just being at home and reading. I have a very demanding schedule, and those are the moments where I can really relax.

Tell me about your camp on Cold Stream Pond. What do you like to do there?

It’s a tiny place, strictly seasonal, with water from the lake. Come Columbus Day, I get the pipes drained and reopen it in June. A friend of mine calls it my $3,000-a-night camp, because I don’t get there very often. But when I do, it’s really wonderful. It’s right on the water, at the end of the road, and it’s a beautiful lake. I enjoy kayaking there. I’m not very good at it, but I really enjoy it. I really enjoy cooking, so that’s another chance for me to barbeque and bake. There is nothing more relaxing than going out in the kayak in the late afternoon. I also think Gillmor Farms [in Lincoln] has the best ice cream in the world. Their pumpkin chocolate chip ice cream is to die for.

What is it that you like so much about cooking?

I enjoy spending the time that is involved in cooking. Many of my friends don’t understand why I would find it so satisfying, but I do. I like doing everything from lobster when friends are in from out of state to cooking chicken on the grill.

What’s your specialty?

I’m very eclectic. Growing up in Caribou, there was a significant Lebanese community, so I love Lebanese food and I enjoy making it. I have a wonderful recipe with shrimp and tomatoes, with Middle Eastern flavors. My mother is the best cook that I know of and she taught me a lot. And I use a lot of recipes from Marjorie Standish, who used to be the cooking columnist for the Portland paper.

What have you given up in order to be a senator?

I give up a lot of free time. I have very little free time. But it’s worth it, in part because I so enjoy what I do. I don’t feel that it’s a great sacrifice. I feel that it’s a great honor. The only thing that gets me, once in a while, is when friends of mine are traveling to Washington; they’ll call a couple weeks ahead and say, “Could you have dinner on this night?” I have to say, “I have no idea.” I’m often in late, and on the Senate floor every day, all day long, say, managing the homeland security bill. It’s tough and long but I really enjoy it. I don’t think of what I’m missing.

What do you see yourself doing when you do leave the Senate?

I’m not sure. It’s difficult to predict. I’ve always been interested in education and would like to do some teaching. I don’t know for certain, but I’m sure that when this phase of my life is over, there’ll be another exciting opportunity. I’m hopeful of being reelected in 2008, so that decision is a ways off.

Is there still part of you, the little girl from Caribou, Maine, that finds it amazing where you are today?

Absolutely. When I look out the window of my office, I have a beautiful view of the Capitol. It’s lighted at night, and when I look at it, I still feel such a sense of honor and I’m thrilled that I’ve been chosen to represent the people of Maine. If I ever find that I don’t get that thrill, then it’s time to not be a senator anymore. I’m glad that I still have that sense of wonder.