General Discussion

ShazzieB

(22,960 posts)

102. This is up to the voters in Maine.

Sun May 31, 2026, 02:14 PM

Sunday

I live over 1,000 miles from Maine. If I lived there, I would vote for whatever Democratic candidate ran against Collins. I don't, so it's not my call.

Should the Maine Dems have vetted him more thoroughly? Maybe. Could they have found a candidate with less "baggage"? Maybe, but I wouldn't bet on it. Imo, Platner's "baggage" has been blown way out of proportion, imo, and there's no guarantee of that not happening to anyone else who ends up running against Collins in November.

These days, it's possible to find "dirt" on almost anyone. Right now, there are bots working around the clock to dig up something that can be used against any Democrat who has a chance of flipping a red Senate seat to blue, because the margin there is so razor thin. Republican strategists are worried about the midterms, they're frighteningly skilled at turning molehills into mountains, and they're funded by billionaires with endless resources. They can find a way to tar anybody.

Meanshile, Mainers obviously like this man, and they're the ones who are going to decide this. The rest of us need to keep our eyes on the prize - flipping Collins' seat to blue - and support Platner if Mainers choose to put him on the ballot in November. Priorities, people.

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Highlight:

Re Platner - We can bask in our purity [View all] orangecrush Sunday OP

Replay of Rep. Anthony Weiner. no_hypocrisy Sunday #1

Weiner actually got some prison time LisaL Sunday #17

Weiner went to jail for sexting a 15 year old EdmondDantes_ Sunday #20

Anthony Weiner sent dick pictures while he was IN congress. He was caught, and did it again. And was caught again. Fil1957 Sunday #21

Not to mention when he did it again, he HURT HRC's 2016 Campaign karynnj Sunday #29

As far as I can tell, people who do it, usually can't stop. LisaL Sunday #33

It really cost him everything he most cared about karynnj Sunday #37

Oh yeah, forgot that he might have cost HRC the election. Fil1957 Sunday #39

I could never forget that one. LisaL Sunday #40

Weiner clearly had some mental issues. Fil1957 Sunday #98

We are now to the point where we are DEFENDING Anthony Weiner and his actions ? stopdiggin Sunday #44

As far as I can see the only disqualifier sarisataka Sunday #148

When our measuring stick becomes Trump, everything is permitted. Lancero 23 hrs ago #211

AIPAC money, getting paid to give speeches (only if you are a woman), mcar 21 hrs ago #219

Totally different situation. ShazzieB Sunday #46

Weiner and his pedophilia might've cost us the 2016 election mr715 Sunday #58

This is not the way Boo1 Sunday #161

The oligarchs love to tell the peasants: "Suffering builds character" dalton99a Sunday #2

Look at their standard bearer orangecrush Sunday #3

The comparison will be Platner vs Collins karynnj Sunday #32

Actually Platner's behaviors remind me of Trump. delisen Sunday #53

Are they? Boo1 Sunday #164

All I care about is winning elections and keeping as many filthy MAGATs out of office as possible. BannonsLiver Sunday #4

We dumped Al Franklin for what? Ferryboat Sunday #5

We did not "dump" Al Franken. He resigned, conceded the successful campaign question everything Sunday #9

Franken was pushed out by his fellow colleagues, he was targeted because he was too effective questionseverything Sunday #11

To save the ACA, PERIOD END OF krawhitham Sunday #13

We gained an outstanding senator in that seat. WhiskeyGrinder Sunday #16

I don't think we gained anything from that situation. LisaL Sunday #18

As a Minnesotan, I believe Tina Smith was a better senator than Franken, and a case could be made for Franken's WhiskeyGrinder Sunday #24

Well, that situation with Roy Moore LisaL Sunday #28

It also saved the ACA krawhitham Yesterday #188

lol BannonsLiver Sunday #22

Being unwilling to keep a serial groper in office is a good thing EdmondDantes_ Sunday #30

I give you John Edwards standingtall 21 hrs ago #221

Al Franken made a moral decision mr715 Sunday #59

Ethics and morals had nothing to do with it. DFW Yesterday #192

He isn't my friend. mr715 Yesterday #193

This message was self-deleted by its author BannonsLiver 23 hrs ago #208

Sorry for the double reply mr715 23 hrs ago #215

So true SocialDemocrat61 22 hrs ago #216

Like, it sucks... but he isn't my friend. mr715 22 hrs ago #217

I believe his net worth is over SocialDemocrat61 22 hrs ago #218

I'll tell you what Quiet Em Sunday #6

Thanks for the go ahead on this. I'll concentrate on all of them. All in here -- everywhere. KPN Sunday #8

Fine but stop swinging your hammer at our basket please questionseverything Sunday #12

Oyah, if we losing Maine, we are definitely winning Ohio. mr715 Sunday #60

We can bask in our purity or rise up and kick Trump's fat ass. Those are our choices. flashman13 Sunday #7

We can also bask in our stupidity. Irish_Dem Sunday #10

Yep. We are doing it really well. LisaL Sunday #14

I don't think Democrats are stupid. orangecrush Sunday #64

That's what is so frustrating. Irish_Dem Sunday #68

yes Skittles Sunday #99

Skittles from the lectures I am receiving today, integrity is a quaint old fashioned notion. Irish_Dem Sunday #107

yup, I am a vet, grew up in a military family Skittles Sunday #121

Now we see how self-defeating all the purity attacks on a Nixie Sunday #15

Yes. And it's interesting that many of the people mcar Sunday #56

Exactly! As if we wouldn't notice the switcheroo and amnesia Nixie Sunday #156

Yeah, I noticed. Cha Sunday #169

*poof* all the dramatic vote-my-conscience moral purity turns into pragmatism, big tent, think of the majority. betsuni Yesterday #181

Clicks duckworth969 Sunday #19

When I saw the headlines orangecrush Sunday #69

So sh*tty behavior now becomes "nothing to see here". 'Cause - 'purity' stopdiggin Sunday #23

Hardly Red Mountain Sunday #26

Personally think that the latest round of 'concern' is primarily click bait media stuff stopdiggin Sunday #67

Totally admit it Red Mountain Sunday #129

and, in turn - I will not be arguing at all that there isn't occasion when it is appropriate (perhaps imperative?) stopdiggin Sunday #163

Fair enough Red Mountain Yesterday #184

Accusing Democrats of being bought and paid for ('corporate Dems') is the worst purity test and not true. betsuni Sunday #25

THANK YOU!! Cha Sunday #170

As a woman, Platner creeps me out jmbar2 Sunday #27

That's how I feel. LisaL Sunday #31

This opposition research comes from Collins main supporter, AIPAC questionseverything Sunday #36

But do you really think it's all there is? LisaL Sunday #38

Yes, where are the women? MorbidButterflyTat Sunday #62

Probably going to vote for Graham Platner. mr715 Sunday #106

Same go for Bill Clinton? orangecrush Sunday #76

He was a sleaze, but had a track record and a weak opponent. jmbar2 Sunday #92

thank you for framing this with such clarity and perspective. needed to be said! - - - - - -(nt)- stopdiggin Sunday #88

Agreed pinkstarburst Sunday #130

Anyone concerned about a candidates personal life over their ability to push the party agenda... TheSphinx Sunday #34

Republicans clearly aren't concerned. LisaL Sunday #35

Americans as a whole arent concerned either.. TheSphinx Sunday #45

Yea, well, how is it working out? LisaL Sunday #52

Trump couldnt care less. But guess what? He WON TheSphinx Sunday #77

Yes, I am sure Trump is happy he won. LisaL Sunday #82

The goal of the election is to win the election. mr715 Sunday #101

I don't vote for candidates in the general election because I like them, I vote for candidates who will push the sop Sunday #54

there's "personal life" and then there is a misogynistic creep with a nazi tattoo Skittles Sunday #65

I really hate this attitude. Trump is not "winning" - TBF Sunday #72

Tom Massie said he's going to identify more individuals whose names were redacted from the Piggy/Epstein files MorbidButterflyTat Sunday #120

I'm sorry but, you cant take down an enemy if you are unwilling to match or exceed their energy TheSphinx Sunday #131

That is absolutely not what I said, but nice try Ace TBF Sunday #132

Yea and the Epstein files are almost completely out of the news cycle right now.. TheSphinx Sunday #136

"the news cycle" is owned by Trump's billionaire friends TBF Sunday #138

Welcome to DU sarisataka Sunday #87

lol TBF Sunday #133

Considering no one has said what the texts say or who they were actually sent to -- and Im sure Nanjeanne Sunday #41

Give it time. LisaL Sunday #42

AIPAC has unleashed millions to defeat platner questionseverything Sunday #48

Or we could develop better red flag detectors, because they were jumping out at me several months ago. FascismIsDeath Sunday #43

I don't have a vote in Maine snd not telling those that do how to vote. surfered Sunday #47

And he is only been married for 3 years, for crying out loud. LisaL Sunday #51

surely there is some common ground between creep-with-nazi-tattoo and the perfect candidate Skittles Sunday #49

lol Renew Deal Sunday #50

For sure, let men be sexual deviants. Boys will be boys. Irish_Dem Sunday #55

non sequitur orangecrush Sunday #89

So married men sexting strangers is the same as just having an affair? Irish_Dem Sunday #100

Strangers? orangecrush Sunday #105

He was on KIK, online site for teens and tweens. Irish_Dem Sunday #111

So he was sexting minors? orangecrush Sunday #119

He used KIK. LisaL Sunday #171

Please don't quote right wing sources here orangecrush Sunday #172

You asked for a source. I got you a source. LisaL Sunday #173

It is against DU terms of service orangecrush Sunday #174

Here. I am not sure what qualifies as not a right wing source, LisaL Sunday #175

Some people really want to stick their heads in the ground even when everything is on the line. Exultant Democracy Yesterday #187

Mills dropped out of the race. Unless Emile Yesterday #191

Yes hence the stupid money already pissed away the best chance, but David Costello is a fine backup Exultant Democracy Yesterday #204

"I admire your optimism. It's completely unfounded, but I admire it." Emile Yesterday #205

Exceptions are permitted if you provide a clear reason for doing so that is consistent with the values of this website. Exultant Democracy Sunday #176

This message was self-deleted by its author orangecrush Sunday #177

Quoting a right wing think tank to attack a Democratic candidate orangecrush Yesterday #183

Its okay -- purity test for thee not for me. mr715 Yesterday #194

Nothing says "class" or "dignity" like a headless mirror selfie MorbidButterflyTat Yesterday #203

But he is wearing a towel. LisaL 23 hrs ago #209

Post removed Post removed Sunday #117

And I wonder how much AIPAC oppo research paid that aide orangecrush Sunday #109

Enough to hoodwink stalwart Democrats on DU mr715 Yesterday #195

Being a rape apologist does. niyad Sunday #167

According to Platner women need to take responsibility for being raped mcar 21 hrs ago #220

Message auto-removed Name removed Sunday #57

Yup orangecrush Sunday #84

She is concerned that all her support comes from a Democratic message board. mr715 Sunday #97

Did he have an affair RandySF Sunday #61

Yeah, how does a guy just start sexting random women? MorbidButterflyTat Sunday #75

It happens every day in the country RandySF Sunday #83

Well, first a man and woman say they like each other... mr715 Sunday #96

So he had affairs with all these women? MorbidButterflyTat Sunday #123

His wife seems to love him. mr715 Sunday #125

I wouldn't bet the farm on that. TBF Sunday #140

Open relationships are a thing. mr715 Sunday #142

It's Maine, not my state so I'll let the voters decide - TBF Sunday #144

I don't want to reduce anyone's agency. mr715 Sunday #146

I pray she is not in an abusive relationship - whether mental or physical TBF Sunday #152

What if they are only open on one side? LisaL Sunday #145

Yup it is. mr715 Sunday #147

Yep, and it's called cheating, as far as I can tell. LisaL Sunday #149

Yep! mr715 Sunday #150

Like I said, I am glad I don't have to vote for him. LisaL Sunday #151

My hunch is that ALL of their shared assets are wrapped up in his campaign jmbar2 Sunday #154

I wouldn't be surprised - TBF Sunday #155

Oh please MorbidButterflyTat Sunday #165

How many in this thread even vote in that state? MineralMan Sunday #63

He is running for Senate so this affects all of us. LisaL Sunday #66

And yet, you do not vote there. MineralMan Sunday #71

Why do we focus on any elections? LisaL Sunday #73

I can tell you why I focus on elections in Minnesota. MineralMan Sunday #93

You have a particularly interesting governor to elect. mr715 Sunday #168

Post removed Post removed Sunday #103

And the primary in Texas (et.al.) was not of national significance? I think stopdiggin Sunday #113

this is a POLITICAL BOARD Skittles Sunday #70

Exactly. LisaL Sunday #74

This message was self-deleted by its author Skittles Sunday #80

You know what is POLITICAL? MineralMan Sunday #78

LOL Skittles Sunday #79

I'm pretty sure you and I Ishoutandscream2 Sunday #116

Lol Lifeafter70 23 hrs ago #206

If you are only concered about your own state, why use a discussion board LisaL Sunday #85

Oh, dear! Well, you see, there are also national Politics. MineralMan Sunday #95

That's who he is Ishoutandscream2 Sunday #104

Yep Lifeafter70 23 hrs ago #207

This is a different Democratic Party sarisataka Sunday #81

That about sums it up. LisaL Sunday #86

... orangecrush Sunday #91

Did Bill Clinton recount his homophobic jokes sarisataka Sunday #112

sounds a bit like a, "but Mussolini made the trains run on time .. " type of argument stopdiggin Sunday #118

Don't forget Blackwater merc and to me, questionable finances EX500rider Sunday #126

100% Blue Full Moon Sunday #90

They will. orangecrush Sunday #94

AIPAC buying an election again. Blue Full Moon Sunday #110

Spot on. orangecrush Sunday #115

This is up to the voters in Maine. ShazzieB Sunday #102

Thread winner orangecrush Sunday #114

"Platner's "baggage" has been blown way out of proportion" EX500rider Sunday #127

It wasn't an "SS" tattoo. ShazzieB Sunday #139

This guy is 41 years old. LisaL Sunday #143

Yeah, no, it was (and he does not deny it) a SS Totenkopf, no doubt about that EX500rider Sunday #157

Yes, he found out what it was because people recognized it and told him. ShazzieB Sunday #162

The tattoo really pesters me LetMyPeopleVote Sunday #159

No, not "a long time ago." TommyT139 Sunday #178

I don't live there so i dont have a vote or voice there Samael13 Sunday #108

People talk like they are voting for the person, or not. The reality of how Congress works RockRaven Sunday #122

This. mr715 Sunday #128

OK, I will explain w/an example. MAGATS embrace the party - TBF Sunday #135

or, conversely - do we now endorse the notion that our star football player stopdiggin Sunday #124

I will let Mainers worry about him. I ain't donating to him. LymphocyteLover Sunday #134

I know the woman who brought up the sexting. She did GPV Sunday #137

So far I am impressed by McDonald, if that is who you are referring to. delisen Sunday #141

Whatever happened to vote blue no matter who Bluestocking Sunday #153

Good question. I would vote for Costello, other dem in the race. delisen Sunday #158

This or that gibraltar72 Sunday #160

Support democrats DoBW Sunday #166

Thanks orangecrush Yesterday #180

Many of Platner's earliest and most fervent supporters are ones that started this purity bullshit. W_HAMILTON Yesterday #179

The original recipe purity test of Medicare for All or you're a corrupt corporate shill who hates universal health care betsuni Yesterday #182

"We can bask in our purity As we sit in places like Delaney Hall, after they round us up." WhiskeyGrinder Yesterday #185

I get Linda Tripp vibes re Genevieve McDonald. Do I give a shit about "sexting"? Not one bit as long as Nanjeanne Yesterday #186

Marmishness mr715 Yesterday #196

For the record, Genevieve McDonald didn't leak this to rightwingers Quiet Em Yesterday #197

For the record there isn't much on the record. No actual texts have been seen so we have zero info Nanjeanne Yesterday #198

I have no idea what the WSJ has or doesn't have Quiet Em Yesterday #200

No one does. But doesn't stop all the speculation and conjecture. Nanjeanne Yesterday #201

Would you say the same thing if it was a GOP'er with an SS tattoo?? WarGamer Yesterday #189

Looks like the GOP better worry about losing the Senate orangecrush Yesterday #190

Nazi tats, has treated women badly and talked about them worse, and was a RW mercenary obamanut2012 Yesterday #199

Thanks for posting orangecrush Yesterday #202

Platner getting the Al Franken treatment from the RW trolls we have on DU. Kingofalldems 23 hrs ago #210

If I was in Maine I would vote for Mills, I do not trust Platner obamanut2012 23 hrs ago #212

I don't trust him either. LisaL 23 hrs ago #213

Did not say you were--just a recognizable few. Kingofalldems 23 hrs ago #214

I definitely remember the Franken situation here standingtall 21 hrs ago #222

Yup orangecrush 20 hrs ago #223