About this episode

Sen. Susan Collins discusses her reelection fight, the Trump administration, and the future of the Republican Party in a conversation with Jonathan Martin.

Sen. Susan Collins joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Perry’s Lobster Shack in coastal Maine for a wide-ranging conversation about her reelection fight in the senate, President Trump’s second administration and the future of the Republican Party.     The Maine Republican also discusses Canadian tariffs, immigration enforcement, her independent record and the challenge of appealing to voters in an increasingly nationalized political environment. Collins makes the case for bipartisan governing — and argues that there is still room for a political middle.     Plus, Jonathan and Collins dig into a classic Maine meal of lobster, steamers and clam chowder. 

People in this episode

Host: Jonathan Martin

Guest: Susan Collins

Topics covered

• reelection
• Trump administration
• Republican Party
• bipartisan governing
• political middle
• Canadian tariffs
• immigration enforcement

Keywords

• Susan Collins
• Trump
• Republican Party
• bipartisan
• Maine
• Canadian tariffs
• immigration

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: POLITICO, Republican Party, Canada

Places: Maine, Perry’s Lobster Shack

More episodes of The Playbook Podcast

• Can Trump’s convention kickoff compete with the NFL? · September 9, 2026 · 26 min
• Why a Nebraska Senate candidate flipped on Trump’s border wall · September 8, 2026 · 26 min
• ‘What the hell is going on with the Democratic Party?’ (with Stephen A. Smith) | The Conversation · September 6, 2026 · 48 min
• The GOP’s fifth stage of grief · September 4, 2026 · 19 min
• Harris’ red state blues · September 3, 2026 · 28 min
• Trump’s data center defense · September 2, 2026 · 24 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Playbook Podcast podcast page.