(CNN) - It's been three hours and Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, is already getting hammered from the right over her vote to increase the debt ceiling.
Scott D'Amboise, a conservative Republican who's vying for Snowe's Senate seat, e-mailed his supporters Tuesday accusing the moderate three-term senator of having "lied to us."
"Just 25 days ago, Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe told us she would vote for a debt plan with a balanced budget amendment," D'Amboise writes in the fundraising letter. "However, today Snowe betrayed us by voting with the Democrats for a debt deal that gives President Obama a blank check in exchange for only token spending cuts and no promise for a balanced budget amendment."
Snowe and South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint co-authored an editorial in the Wall Street Journal last month calling for a balanced budget amendment to be included in a debt ceiling deal. Forty-five other senators signed on to their call.
But Snowe voted on Tuesday to raise the debt ceiling, approving a bill that did not include a balanced budget amendment. Snowe was the last senator to vote on the deal and was seen huddling with Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, the Republican whip, and other Republicans before voting aye.
While Snowe is clearly on record in support of a constitutional amendment that would require Congress to balance its budget, she's never said that she would not vote for a bill without such an amendment attached.
Still, D'Amboise's campaign consultant, Tyler Harber, says Snowe's vote for a debt ceiling proves her earlier statements were disingenuous.
"She either lied or willingly mis-held how she was going to vote," Harber told CNN.
Snowe, a figure in Maine politics for more than 30 years, has more than $2.7 million of cash in the bank as of her June 30 filing with the Federal Election Commission. D'Amboise, who announced his candidacy earlier this year, has just $111,000.
Neither Sen. Snowe's office nor Sen. DeMint's office returned CNN's requests for comment.
–CNN Congressional Producer Ted Barrett contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Snowe has always been one of the most liberal Republicans. No surprise here.
Hang in, Senator Snowe... There are a lot MORE of us who respect you for doing the right thing! Don't let the whackos get you down!
As a Mainer, if this guy snags the R nomination, there isn't a chance the republicans will hang onto that senate seat.
Sen. Snowe I would let your constinuantes know that extremist groups will not hold our legislative process hostage. That the compromise is the only way our government can function.
Seems D'Amboise and his consultant are "grasping at straws." Wouldn't even mention him in the same sentence with Sen. Snowe.
Sorry, but DeMint is an idiot. Totally consumed by lust for power at any price. Fabricator of opponent. Relevant only in SC.
Nothing happening here- move along.
Just remember who votes for you and what is best for them. If the popularity of our Governor is any indication of how Mainers think this guy doesn't have a prayer.
Don't you love it when politicians lie to tell you that others have lied?
What would happen to America if we had a National Security Crisis or a Natural Disaster or an Economic Catastrophe But we couldn't respond because of a Balanced Budget Amendment ? The Repubs. got all bent about Evil Union First Responders.
and so it begins the eating of their own – the devouring – the pointing of fingers – I am more of a conservative than you are – this would make a great story and or movie if for the fact that the whole debt fiasco wasn't such a farce! Politics at it's utmost worst!
The right can attack Sen. Snowe all they want. It won't stop her from being reelected. She represents a liberal state and votes the way her constituency expects her to vote. The same goes for the other New England senators.
I live in Maine for several years and I have got to say that Senator Snowe is deeply respected on both sides of the aisle. She is one of the most thoughtful representatives in the Senate and isn't afraid to reach across the aisle when it is good for Maine and good for America. Yes, the guy running against her said she lied, but look at their cash on hand and you will clearly see that Maine supports Senator Snow. There is a reason she's been representing the state for 30+ years and, fingers crossed, will be for the next 30.
The right wing nut jobs are starting their moves again. I am a Democrat, but have great respect for Senator Snowe. I hope the great state of Maine ignores the crazies and sends them packing.
yeah Sen Snowe you should have voted NO and hoped the country went into default.....especially since I am sure you know that the debt ceiling being raised has NEVER been a big deal until now that Obama is in the White House. Don't worry there are many of us out here that are NOT blinded by the right and know what is really going on here.
We must save our Country from the tea-terroists. They will overthrow our Government unless we all vote against them in 2012. There are more sane Americans than tea-terrorists. We must stand together and take our country back from tea-terrorists.
Senator Snowe voted for what she considered to be in the best interest of the country. The far right doesn't like that. "TOUGH". Get over it. You can Primary her if you choose to do so but as a Democrat, I will move to Maine and vote for her if necessary. Even though she is not a Democrat, I still consider her to be a voice of reason and I am convienced that she has the best interest of the country at heart. I don't always agree with her position but I respect her convictions.
need more moderates thats for sure on both sides....sanders is a left wing radical old fool and and enzi is a right wing zealot...
I'm a Democrat and don't live in Maine so even though I can't vote for your Ms. Snowe, I sure will contribute towards your campaign. Not only are your right for Maine, you're right for the country. Keep up the good work!
Liberals commenting on what the republicans should think? CNN posts are now the biggest joke out there.
This legislation is a joke. It doesn't fix anything. Basically, it is a bandaid for a government that refuses to live within its means. Obama has spearheaded irresponsible spending and was supported by the likes of Pelosi, Reid, Waxman, Frank, Dodd, Boxer, Frankin, and even McCain. Kick the sludge out of Washington. It's time to live within our means.
Who moderates these boards? I'm embarrassed by a lot of the garbage and slander that gets on here.
Frankly, Senator Snowe is in an excellent position to emerge as a leader in the New up and comming Republican Party ... the one that survives after cutting off the Cancerouse Tea Party wing.
Typical lying teab@gger spin.
She never said she wouldn't vote for a bill that didn't contain a balance budget emendment.
Got to make sure that ideological idiot doesn't get the nomination.
Time to toss these teabags into Boston Harbor.
I know it isn't much but Thank You for voting the way you felt not what the party wanted you to vote.
Ah, the GOTP, putting party ahead of the people. As usual.
Thank you Senator Snowe for not listening to the nonsense.
When did "live within your means" become code for "Give tax breaks to the rich" ?
Is THAT what all that flag-waving patriotic hubris from the far right is all about? How embarassing.
I'd rather show my patriotism by helping to keep America an economic superpower – and that means ignoring the short-sighted astroturf nonsense from the "Tea-Party chapter of Deluded Fruitcakes Anonymous".
She'll be "primaried," and long overdue.