PoliticsDeveloping
Collins and Jackson debate Trump, tariffs and abortion in first Maine Senate debate
By Mantle News
Coverage spectrum
Covered by 12 outlets across the spectrum.
19 articles in total, 6 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias
Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson held their first debate of the Maine Senate race on Tuesday. Jackson tied Collins to President Donald Trump, saying she votes with him 96 percent of the time. Collins said that figure relies on a study covering only 30 percent of votes and that a broader study puts it at 72 percent. The two also clashed over tariffs on Canada. Collins said she had gotten concrete, pulp and road salt removed from the tariff list, and Jackson replied, “We can’t eat road salt.” Jackson criticized Collins’ vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and Collins pointed to her breaks with Trump, including over the war with Iran.
Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works
What happened
Key points
Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.
Collins and Jackson held their first debate of the Maine Senate race on Tuesday.
Across the spectrumReported byFar Left1Left2Center3Far Right3See the outletsHide the outlets
- Far Left
- The New Republic
- Left
- ABC News, Bloomberg
- Center
- Straight Arrow News, PBS NewsHour, The Hill
- Far Right
- RedState, TheBlaze, The Epoch Times
The debate was the first of four televised debates.
Reported byFar Left1Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
- Far Left
- The New Republic
- Far Right
- TheBlaze
Jackson said Collins votes with Trump 96 percent of the time, a figure Collins disputed.
Reported byCenter1Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
- Center
- Straight Arrow News
- Far Right
- The Epoch Times
Collins said she had gotten concrete, pulp and road salt removed from Trump’s tariff list on Canada; Jackson replied, “We can’t eat road salt.”
Reported byFar Left2Left1Center1See the outletsHide the outlets
- Far Left
- MeidasTouch, The New Republic
- Left
- ABC News
- Center
- The Hill
Jackson said he supports Medicare for All.
One outletTownhall· Far Right
Show 2 more pointsShow fewer points
Jackson criticized Collins’ vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and Collins said Kavanaugh assured her it was settled law.
Reported byCenter2Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
- Center
- Straight Arrow News, PBS NewsHour
- Far Right
- TheBlaze
Collins pointed to her breaks with Trump, including over the war with Iran.
Reported byLeft1Center2See the outletsHide the outlets
- Left
- Bloomberg
- Center
- Straight Arrow News, PBS NewsHour
What is contested
Where accounts differ
Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.
How often Collins votes with Trump
Jackson said she votes with Trump 96 percent of the time. Collins said he was misrepresenting her record, that the study he cites covers only 30 percent of votes, and that a study covering 90 percent of votes puts the figure at 72 percent. The New Republic says she has voted five times to extend Trump’s military campaign in the Middle East and has failed to stand up to him.
Who is responsible for Maine’s high costs
Collins blamed electricity rates, housing costs and property taxes on policies passed in Augusta while Jackson led the state Senate. Townhall said property taxes under Jackson were the highest share of income of any state, a claim the supplied text does not show Jackson answering.
Whether Collins has stood up to Trump
Collins said she has broken with Trump on votes, including over the war with Iran, and that she voted against her party more than any other senator. Left-leaning coverage says she has failed to truly stand up to Trump, and Jackson said Congress has given up its authority to him.
Jackson’s health care plan
Jackson said he supports Medicare for All and that Americans should not face bankruptcy from hospital bills. Townhall says his plan would take away private insurance and force people into communist, government-run health care.
How each side tells it
Compare views
the left
4 outlets · 2 opinion
ABC and Bloomberg use neutral headlines such as “spar” and “Heats Up,” while the far-left MeidasTouch and The New Republic declare a winner and mock Collins, as the right’s far-right outlets do in the opposite direction.
As Susan Collins goes for a sixth term, Maine Democrats worry she’s a ‘Teflon candidate’
The 19thLeftAll left-leaning headlines the center
3 outlets
Center headlines are mostly neutral, describing the debate and its main topics, and the PBS NewsHour piece is an Associated Press report so its text is AP’s rather than PBS’s own.
Jackson, Collins tangle on Canada tariffs: 'We can't eat road salt'
The HillCenterAll center headlines the right
5 outlets · 3 opinion
All four right-side outlets are rated Far Right, and three of them (RedState, TheBlaze, Townhall) name Collins the winner with verdict words such as “Stumbles,” “brilliantly shuts down” and “mopped the floor,” the mirror image of the far-left headlines, while Epoch Times uses the neutral “Clash.”
Outraged Susan Collins demands apology after rival Troy Jackson accuses her of ‘making money’ off Iran war during Maine Senate debate
New York PostRightAll right-leaning headlines
The words they chose
Language to notice
Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.
Left6
looked out of touch with Americanstried to brag aboutBragshumiliating
Center1
mysterious lab death
Right10
StumblesSmokes Himdeftly fended offdamaging counterpunches
In the outlets’ own words
Sensational language
mysterious lab deathMore neutral: death at a lab
“Mysterious” implies a suspicious circumstance that the description does not establish.
presses Russia for answers over a mysterious lab death.
Used byStraight Arrow News (Center)
Loaded modifier
looked out of touch with AmericansMore neutral: was challenged by Jackson over her record on the tariff
The description presents a judgement about Collins as fact instead of reporting the exchange.
Collins looked out of touch with Americans during a debate with Jackson
Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)
Loaded verb
tried to brag aboutMore neutral: described
“Brag” frames Collins’ remarks as boasting rather than reporting them.
Susan Collins tried to brag about having road salt removed from Trump’s tariff list, and Jackson asked what else…
Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)
Loaded verb
BragsMore neutral: says
“Brags” frames Collins’ statement as boasting rather than reporting what she said.
Susan Collins Brags About Ending Tariffs on Road Salt, Troy Jackson Responds: 'We Can't Eat Road Salt'
Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)
Show 13 more phrasesShow fewer
Loaded verb
StumblesMore neutral: was criticized in
“Stumbles” presents a verdict on Jackson’s performance as fact.
Troy Jackson Stumbles in Debate, Then Susan Collins Smokes Him on His Record
Used byRedState (Far Right)
Sensational language
Smokes HimMore neutral: responds to him on
“Smokes” is slang that declares a winner rather than describing the exchange.
Troy Jackson Stumbles in Debate, Then Susan Collins Smokes Him on His Record
Used byRedState (Far Right)
Loaded verb
deftly fended offMore neutral: responded to
“Deftly” is a judgement on how Collins performed rather than a description of what she said.
Susan Collins of Maine deftly fended off rhetorical attacks from her Democrat challenger and even threw some damaging…
Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)
Sensational language
damaging counterpunchesMore neutral: counterattacks
“Damaging” asserts an effect on Jackson that the excerpt does not show.
…off rhetorical attacks from her Democrat challenger and even threw some damaging counterpunches in their debate Tuesday night.
Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)
Sensational language
brilliantly shuts downMore neutral: responds to
“Brilliantly” is an evaluation of performance presented as fact.
Susan Collins brilliantly shuts down attacks from Troy Jackson in heated Maine debate
Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)
Sensational language
humiliatingMore neutral: difficult
“Humiliating” is a judgement about how the debate went rather than a description of events.
…Susan Collins, one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the midterms, faced a humiliating reality check Tuesday night during her debate against Democratic challenger Troy…
Used byThe New Republic (Far Left)
Loaded modifier
disastrous policiesMore neutral: policies
“Disastrous” is an evaluation of Trump’s policies that the description presents as fact.
…Collins struggled to defend her efforts to rein in President Donald Trump’s disastrous policies.
Used byThe New Republic (Far Left)
Loaded verb
Crashes and BurnsMore neutral: was challenged in
The idiom presents a verdict on Collins’ performance as fact.
“We Can’t Eat Road Salt”: Susan Collins Crashes and Burns in Debate
Used byThe New Republic (Far Left)
Sensational language
absolutely mopped the floorMore neutral: was judged by this outlet to have performed better than
The phrase is a partisan verdict on the debate presented as fact.
…her Democrat opponent Troy Jackson in a debate last night, and Collins absolutely mopped the floor with Jackson, who did nothing but prove how out-of-touch with Maine voters…
Used byTownhall (Far Right)
Loaded modifier
out-of-touch with Maine votersMore neutral: whose positions differ from many Maine voters
The description presents a judgement about Jackson as fact.
…absolutely mopped the floor with Jackson, who did nothing but prove how out-of-touch with Maine voters he is, and how he's utterly unfit for the U.S.
Used byTownhall (Far Right)
Loaded modifier
utterly unfitMore neutral: unqualified in the writer’s view
The phrase is an opinion about Jackson presented as fact.
…who did nothing but prove how out-of-touch with Maine voters he is, and how he's utterly unfit for the U.S.
Used byTownhall (Far Right)
Partisan shorthand
communist, government-run healthcareMore neutral: a government-run health care system
“Communist” is a political label that prejudges a health care proposal that Jackson described as Medicare for All.
…wants to take away their private health insurance and force them into communist, government-run healthcare.
Used byTownhall (Far Right)
Loaded verb
Lost BigMore neutral: Debated
The headline presents a verdict on the debate as fact.
Troy Jackson Lost Big in Last Night's Debate With Susan Collins
Used byTownhall (Far Right)
See for yourself
Side by side
What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.
From the left
4 outlets · 2 opinionLeads with
- Collins’ road salt tariff claim and Jackson’s rebuttal
- Collins’ record of voting with Trump
- Collins’ votes on the Iran war
- Collins’ seniority and appropriations work
Leaves out
- Collins’ dispute of the 96 percent figure
- Collins’ blame of Maine’s high costs on Augusta policy under Jackson
Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.
See the 6 headlines from the leftHide the headlines
- The 19thLeft
As Susan Collins goes for a sixth term, Maine Democrats worry she’s a ‘Teflon candidate’
BATH, Maine — Election after election, Republican Sen. Susan Collins has defied national political winds to return to office, representing a state that has backed Democrats in every presidential contest since 1992. …
- CBS NewsLeft
Susan Collins and Troy Jackson clash in Maine Senate debate
Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson faced off in a debate on Tuesday night. Alex Seitz-Wald, deputy editor of Maine's Midcoast Villager, joins "The Takeout" to discuss.
- BloombergLeft
Maine Senate Race Heats Up as Collins, Jackson Debate Trump, Abortion
Maine Senator Susan Collins sought to distance herself from President Donald Trump in her first debate with Democratic challenger Troy Jackson in a pivotal US Senate race.
- ABC NewsLeft
Maine Senate debate: Collins and Jackson spar over Trump, trade and abortion
Sen. Susan Collins drew on her seniority in Congress to counter Troy Jackson, who portrayed her as ineffective in pushing back against Trump’s agenda during their debate.
“We Can’t Eat Road Salt”: Susan Collins Loaded verb“Crashes and Burns”The idiom presents a verdict on Collins’ performance as fact.More neutral: was challenged inDisagree with this highlight? in Debate
Maine Senator Susan Collins, one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the midterms, faced a Sensational language“humiliating”“Humiliating” is a judgement about how the debate went rather than a description of events.More neutral: difficultDisagree with this highlight? reality check Tuesday night during her debate against Democratic challenger Troy Jackson. …
Susan Collins Loaded verb“Brags”“Brags” frames Collins’ statement as boasting rather than reporting what she said.More neutral: saysDisagree with this highlight? About Ending Tariffs on Road Salt, Troy Jackson Responds: 'We Can't Eat Road Salt'
Collins Loaded modifier“looked out of touch with Americans”The description presents a judgement about Collins as fact instead of reporting the exchange.More neutral: was challenged by Jackson over her record on the tariffDisagree with this highlight? during a debate with Jackson
From the center
3 outletsLeads with
- Trump’s presence at the center of the debate
- Collins distancing herself from Trump
- The Kavanaugh vote and abortion
- Canada tariffs and road salt
Leaves out
- Maine’s high costs and the Augusta record
- Jackson’s Medicare for All position
Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.
See the 3 headlines from the centerHide the headlines
- The HillCenter
Jackson, Collins tangle on Canada tariffs: 'We can't eat road salt'
Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson tangled over the Trump administration’s tariffs on Canada during the first debate of their battleground Senate race. …
What happened in the first Maine Senate debate between Collins and Jackson
Republican Sen. Susan Collins distanced herself from President Donald Trump during her first Maine Senate debate with Democrat Troy Jackson, arguing she has maintained her political independence by repeatedly voting against Trump's agenda and saying that she's "not exactly his …
- Straight Arrow NewsCenter
Susan Collins, Troy Jackson spar over Trump, abortion and ICE in first Senate debate
The two also clashed over abortion, with Jackson going after Collins for her vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
1 more from Straight Arrow News
From the right
5 outlets · 3 opinionLeads with
- Collins’ seniority and appropriations record
- Jackson’s record on taxes and property taxes
- Jackson’s Medicare for All position
- Maine’s costs blamed on Augusta policy
Leaves out
- Collins’ road salt and Canada tariff claims
- Collins’ dispute of the 96 percent figure
Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.
See the 8 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
- New York PostRight
Outraged Susan Collins demands apology after rival Troy Jackson accuses her of ‘making money’ off Iran war during Maine Senate debate
An outraged Sen. Susan Collins demanded an apology from Troy Jackson at the Maine Senate debate Thursday after the Democratic candidate accused her of profiting off the war in Iran. …
- Washington ExaminerRight
Troy Jackson got his viral moment in Tuesday’s debate. Will it move the needle?
Maine Senate nominee Troy Jackson is riding a political high following his first debate against Sen. Susan Collins, finally gaining the viral momentum his campaign has struggled to capture since he became the Democratic nominee in July following Graham Planter’s withdrawal. …
- TownhallFar Right
'Troy Doesn't Know Ball': Social Media Reacts to Maine Senate Debate
During Maine’s Senate debate between Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson on Tuesday, Collins put on a masterclass of how to scorch an opponent on a debate stage. The internet took notice.
1 more from Townhall
- PJ MediaFar Right
Democrat Troy Jackson Chokes in Debate With Sen. Susan Collins
Troy Jackson never wanted to be a U.S. senator, and his first debate against Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) proved it.
- The Epoch TimesFar Right
Sen. Susan Collins, Democrat Troy Jackson Clash Over Trump and Abortion in First Maine Debate
Jackson tied the Republican senator to Trump and her Kavanaugh vote, and Collins blamed Maine's high costs on Jackson's state Senate record.
Dem Senate Candidate Troy Jackson Accidentally Attacks Himself While Trying to Score Debate Points Against Susan Collins
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson demonstrated how ignorant he is of both federal and state law while trying to attack incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins during a Tuesday night
Susan Collins Sensational language“brilliantly shuts down”“Brilliantly” is an evaluation of performance presented as fact.More neutral: responds toDisagree with this highlight? attacks from Troy Jackson in heated Maine debate
Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins of Maine Loaded verb“deftly fended off”“Deftly” is a judgement on how Collins performed rather than a description of what she said.More neutral: responded toDisagree with this highlight? rhetorical attacks from her Democrat challenger and even threw some damaging counterpunches in their debate Tuesday night. …
Troy Jackson Loaded verb“Stumbles”“Stumbles” presents a verdict on Jackson’s performance as fact.More neutral: was criticized inDisagree with this highlight? in Debate, Then Susan Collins Sensational language“Smokes Him”“Smokes” is slang that declares a winner rather than describing the exchange.More neutral: responds to him onDisagree with this highlight? on His Record
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and her Democrat opponent for Senate in Maine, Troy Jackson, squared off for their first debate in Portland on Tuesday.
Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?
The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.
Who reported it when
How the coverage built up
Left
4 min later
Its first report, Oct 7, 7:34 AM EDT
Center
First to report
Straight Arrow News, Oct 7, 7:30 AM EDT
Right
4 hr 33 min later
Its first report, Oct 7, 12:03 PM EDT
See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
- Straight Arrow NewsCenterOct 7, 7:30 AM EDT
- ABC NewsLeftOct 7, 7:34 AM EDT
- BloombergLeftOct 7, 9:56 AM EDT
- PBS NewsHourCenterOct 7, 10:13 AM EDT
- The Epoch TimesFar RightOct 7, 12:03 PM EDT
- PJ MediaFar RightOct 7, 12:09 PM EDT
- The HillCenterOct 7, 4:36 PM EDT
- TownhallFar RightOct 7, 5:20 PM EDT
- CBS NewsLeftOct 7, 5:56 PM EDT
- Washington ExaminerRightOct 7, 6:01 PM EDT
- The 19thLeftOct 8, 7:00 AM EDT
- New York PostRightOct 8, 9:21 PM EDT
Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.
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