  I question models for powering super energetic supernovae (SESNe) with a
magnetar central engine that do not include jets that are expected to be
launched by the magnetar progenitor. I show that under reasonable assumptions
the outflow that is expected during the formation of a magnetar can carry an
amount of energy that does not fall much below, and even surpasses, the energy
that is stored in the newly born spinning neutron star (NS). The rapidly
spinning NS and the strong magnetic fields attributed to magnetars require that
the accreted mass onto the newly born NS possesses high specific angular
momentum and strong magnetic fields. These ingredients are expected, as in many
other astrophysical objects, to form collimated outflows/jets. I argue that the
bipolar outflow in the pre-magnetar phase transfers a substantial amount of
energy to the supernova (SN) ejecta, and it cannot be ignored in models that
attribute SESNe to magnetars. I conclude that jets launched by accretion disks
and accretion belts are more likely to power SESNe than magnetars are. This
conclusion is compatible with the notion that jets might power all core
collapse SNe (CCSNe).
