Susan Collins Enlists Joe Manchin

What happened

Updated Oct 21, 4:57pm ET

Former Sen. Joe Manchin campaigned with Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine, including at a Lewiston event, as Collins seeks a sixth term. Collins used Manchin’s endorsement and their record of bipartisan work to support her argument that she is independent and willing to cross party lines. The race against Democrat Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate president, is closely watched because Democrats are trying to flip the seat and argue Collins has backed President Trump too often. Manchin called Collins “the soul of the Senate” and said Democrats were “crazy” to target her. Maine AFL-CIO President Cynthia Phinney called the appearance “mystifying and insulting.” Jackson was scheduled to campaign in Portland with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets framed the stop as Collins trying to protect her independent brand while facing a tougher race than usual. The Los Angeles Times emphasized that Collins was using Manchin to highlight cross-party work, while Jackson’s campaign had gained force despite starting late. Raw Story centered the Democratic argument that anger at Trump, and at Collins for going along with him, is driving the challenge.

How the right told it

Right-leaning outlets split between Manchin’s defense of Collins and labor criticism of his role in the race. The New York Post leaned on Manchin’s view that Chuck Schumer was “crazy” to target Collins, casting her as a valued bipartisan colleague. The Washington Examiner focused on the Maine AFL-CIO’s charge that campaigning with Manchin insulted workers, and on Democratic unease about Jackson’s campaign style.