Please do not make excuses for Troy Jackson | Letter
Senate Debate Incident Sparks Letter‑to‑Editor Debate
A verbal clash on a recent Senate debate stage has prompted a heated response from an Auburn resident. During the televised debate, Maine Democratic State Sen. Troy Jackson confronted Republican Sen. Susan Collins by telling her to “shut up.” The outburst, captured on camera and replayed on social media, drew criticism from both sides of the aisle and led to a commentary column by former New Hampshire Senator Steve Collins in the Press Herald on October 19.
The column, titled “Politicians have a rich history of telling each other to zip it,” argued that Collins should have responded to Jackson’s insult and that her failure to do so “puts the onus on her to defend herself each time she is insulted.” Steve Collins suggested that Collins’ silence effectively made her complicit in the slight, a claim that many found unhelpful and mischaracterized.
In the Press Herald’s letters section, Auburn resident Joanne Lebel fired back at Collins’ article. Lebel, who identified herself as a “lady” and a citizen of Auburn, contended that Collins’ decision to remain silent was a professional choice and that Jackson was not a victim. She wrote that Jackson’s claim that Collins was “talking down to me” was an exaggeration and that “the only person who can make you feel inferior is yourself.” Lebel also noted that many similar incidents involving male politicians telling colleagues to “shut up” have occurred, yet she argued that the focus should remain on maintaining decorum rather than assigning blame.
The debate stage incident itself followed a night of heated exchanges between the two senators. Jackson’s comment was captured on live video as he interrupted Collins’ remarks. While Collins did not respond on the air, the event has spurred a broader conversation about civility in political discourse, especially in a context where women’s remarks are sometimes met with dismissal.
The Press Herald’s column, published in the October 19 issue, was itself part of a series of editorials exploring the evolving etiquette of debate. Steve Collins, a former U.S. senator and well‑known political commentator, has long written about the importance of respectful dialogue, and the column was no exception. His piece suggested that Collins’ silence could be interpreted as acquiescence to the insult, a view that Lebel found both inaccurate and dismissive of Collins’ agency.
While the debate itself was part of an upcoming election cycle, the fallout from the incident underscores the ongoing tension between partisan rhetoric and the expectations of professional conduct in public office. The incident has also reignited discussions about how politicians handle insults or interruptions, especially when those insults target women or minority group members.
Maine legislators and political observers continue to weigh in on the issue. Some argue that a senator’s choice not to respond is a sign of restraint and dignity, while others suggest that speaking out can be a powerful form of self‑advocacy. Regardless of the differing viewpoints, the exchange between Jackson and Collins, and the subsequent letters and commentaries, illustrate the delicate balance that lawmakers must strike between robust debate and respectful engagement.
