Senator Collins Changes Her Mind?

Or did she evolve? No matter...

We've been wondering how long it would take Senator Collins to change her stance on Iraq, given that most in the state of Maine want us out of Iraq yesterday. We still haven't made up our minds as to who we're voting for, but the Senator's stance on Iraq has made both of us far less likely cast our votes her way. It's been especially disappointing that she's held out far longer than other less moderate Senators on this matter.

Now USAToday reports that:

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a co-sponsor of Salazar's legislation on the Iraq Study Group, wants to go further: binding legislation that would order Bush to restrict the mission of U.S. troops to counterterrorism, training Iraqis and protecting U.S. assets.

The goal, she says, is to "set the stage for a significant but responsible withdrawal of American combat troops over the next year."

For most of these lawmakers, their decision to embrace change is colored by politics.

Collins is seen by Democratic challengers as particularly vulnerable in the 2008 elections because of the overwhelmingly anti-war sentiment among Maine voters.

Ayeuh. (emphasis mine)