U.S.THE INTERVIEW

Collins 'outclassed' Jackson in Maine Senate debate, columnist says

The columnist's claim comes from a Maine Senate debate in which Jackson allegedly aimed at the wrong large federal program; the race is closely watched.

On air: Hank Ledger on The Five O'Clock
Published 5:16 PM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Washington Examiner: “Susan Collins ‘outclassed’ opponent Troy Jackson on knowledge during debate: Guy Benson”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 5:16 PM ET on The Five O'Clock, by Hank Ledger.
Topics: Maine Senate, Susan Collins, Troy Jackson.
BBN covered this story before: A Trump backlash endangers Susan Collins in Maine (October 14).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Washington ExaminerSusan Collins ‘outclassed’ opponent Troy Jackson on knowledge during debate: Guy Benson

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWashington Examiner columnist Guy Benson says Susan Collins outclassed Troy Jackson in their Maine Senate debate, because Jackson attacked one big federal program when the real target was another.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorJoining us from an undisclosed wellness retreat is life coach Zephyr Oyelaran. Zephyr, did Jackson lose on knowledge?
Zephyr OyelaranHank, nobody loses on knowledge. He lost on energy. He picked the wrong program because he never visualized the right one.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the wrong federal program was a manifestation problem.
Zephyr OyelaranPrograms respond to intention. The universe already scored this, and I'm told it was Collins by a comfortable margin.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe columnist reached that score by listening to the debate. Did you watch it?
Zephyr OyelaranI felt it from the retreat. Between a sound bath and a cucumber, the vibrations told me everything I needed to know.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorCucumber.
Zephyr OyelaranThe point is that Jackson's blockage is fixable. I could clear it in one session, and I'm offering the same to Senator Collins.
Zephyr OyelaranIt's only fair.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorYou'd coach both candidates, in a race where one just got called outclassed. Isn't that a conflict of interest?
Zephyr OyelaranConflict is just two people manifesting at the same microphone. The universe loves a debate, Hank, and so does my invoice.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorLet me ask you something. When did you last win an argument yourself?
Zephyr OyelaranI don't see how that's relevant.
Zephyr OyelaranArguments are an old paradigm, and I was voted out of my book club for reasons that are still being processed.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorVoted out. So the universe scored that one too.
Zephyr OyelaranPlease don't make me strike the bowl.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThat's the ninth time you've struck it, and you've yet to answer a question.