that was that much scandalous and the orange DICKtator has done 1000x worst!


Our MSM sucks.

was a travesty.

New Yorker
The Case of Al Franken
Jane Mayer
July 22, 2019

https://web.archive.org/web/20190829044419/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken

However, barring some twist (that seems unlikely as Mainers seem to be sticking with him,) he's the guy who will be facing Collins.

I don't like the guy. But we need every seat we can get so we can control the committees and start to rebuild our Democracy. And he polls the best against Collins.

I dislike him less than I want to see Collins sent packing and I want to get a Senate majority.

we're now enduring. And I love Bernie, too.

If truly vile people like Derek Black, Christian Picciolini, Arno Michaelis can transform and become leaders in the anti-racist, non-violent movement, I have no problem giving the benefit of the doubt to a man who is effectively advocating for progressive values, but who has previously screwed up big time (and for which he has taken responsibility and whose wife clearly stands by the guy and says they've done, and continue to do "the work" )

It amazes me how this place has gone from "Punch a Nazi!" to "Well, sometimes you just have to vote for the Nazi" so quickly. 🤪

Do you know how many deaths she is responsible for?
Even if Plattner were a Nazi, he would be doing so much less damage than Collins.
No ivory towers in politics.

It's way past time to kick her out the door.

Neither has a totenkopf tattoo or has been known to make misogynistic, racist, or homophobic comments. Neither is known for hanging out on sketchy dating sites or expressing a fondness for masturbating in skiddo cans. We couldn't get behind one of them?

Once he's the official Maine Democratic candidate for Senate he becomes the face of the national party. Democrats are going to have to defend him. There is more dirt to come on this guy and I believe he's going to be a drag on the entire party.

So you'd prefer Susan Collins? Because that's your only other choice right now/

So you have the guy who had a tattoo that he may or may not have known had a nazi association and had covered up (the rest is just hearsay) or the woman who voted to fund the fascists abducting, imprisoning, and killing defenseless immigrants, not to mention brutalizing and killing civilians. Glad you polished your moral compass.

I'm supposed to believe that Platner never saw Raiders of the Lost Ark? Schindler's List? Iron Skies? An episode of Hogan's Heroes? Any media in which Nazis are portrayed? They wear the freaking totenkopf on their hats, fer cryin' out loud!

and I respect your opinion. I hope that you feel free to express it in this thread. I did want this OP to be a place where different opinions can be expressed.

I appreciate that very much. I just feel very strongly that a Platner candidacy is going to have repercussions nationally that aren't being considered. Maine will do what Maine will do, I guess.

It will be decided by people who live in Maine, and I don't live there. I've had my own reservations about Platner to be sure, but again, it's not my state. If I understand you correctly, you are warning against his nomination because you think it will be used against the party as a whole in the general. And given the history of double standard with regard to the way Rs and Ds are judged, you may be right. But after he wins the nomination (I assume he will), will you be able to support him?

I'm in Texas thank God, so I don't have to vote for him if it comes to it. But no, I cannot actively support this man. I will not contribute to his campaign. He's a misogynist, a racist, a homophobe, a philanderer...I refuse to believe that Graham Platner is the best the Democratic party can do.

Yeah.

But they didn't.

They recruited Graham Platner. I put trust in that judgment. And I believe he remains a hell of a candidate.

I don't live in Maine, but I'll do my bit to support his candidacy. And do my bit to just say "NO" to the forces that are trying to incite a mob against him.

I have no doubt that Mr. Platner understands the role his conduct is playing. As far as I can tell he is is taking responsibility for that. And that shows character IMO.

Whether my judgment of him is right or wrong, what I do know for certain is that is that it is:

WRONG for a campaign staffer to leak something his wife revealed as part of the internal vetting process.

WRONG to report that betrayal of trust as if his wife was an accuser, instead of what she was, a part of a couple that has done, and continues to do, the work -- a person who feels deeply betrayed by the breach of trust.

WRONG to report an account of a violent interaction for which there is no concrete corroboration, while offering so-called "support" that amounts to little more than vague innuendo.

WRONG to pile on with reports of "unsettling" behavior as if he had been a rapist.

real threats to the country go unabated. I saw a genuine Mainer saying that the Senate holding dump to account is the most important thing. You “deftly” avoided answering to the idea of Collins being re-elected and the actual fascism on our streets. I get the sense you are concerned as you mull which is worse.

I don't believe Platner will be helpful in the Dems taking power. In fact, I think he hurts the party nationally.

I guess we'll see...

we can ignore the truth, a sure-fire way to win elections. We need more people attacking our party's candidates, in my opinion. It always results in victory.

It is either put up and support Platner or shut up an accept Collins. Your choice.

In my mind, those are the “we” who count. I think every state has its own culture. I have read that Platner has put in the foot work, meeting people and gaining their support.

Besides a tattoo, what's your proof?
I thought we support Democrats here on DU.

Are the racist, misogynistic, homophobic comments that Platner has admitted to making enough? Are his comments about rape survivors enough?

We got a pretty tight Senate race going here in Texas and frankly, Platner ain't helping. So yes, I will speak up. Whether you like it or not.

There is no doubt that Platner is the biggest issue facing the people of Texas. He's all that the citizens are talking about. Thy don't want to hear meaningless things about the war in Iraq, or the economy. Those are mere distractions from the role Platner is playing in Texas politics.

Believe it or not, Texans are aware that there are other states, and that things that happen in other states can affect Texas. The economy here is good and getting better, gas is down to 3.45 a gallon at the station down the street, and a lot of folks here are all in on the Iran war. Those are the facts on the ground. The Democrats have an uphill battle here, and forcing Talarico to defend Platner's crap is not helpful.

Bet he would wipe the floor with him.

running for anything in another state? He's smart enough to answer " I'm focused on helping the people of Texas be able to afford the things they need to live in the great state of Texas!"

I will again recall back to Mamdani, when asked where he would visit as mayor, said he would stay in New York.

When pressed about visiting Israel, he said he would reach out to Jewish communities in NYC, which at the time he aspired to be mayor of.

That framing of local politics and local responsibilities probably won him the election.

If Talarico is going around defending Platner, he isn't making a positive case for himself or a negative case against Ken Paxton. There is plenty going on in Texas, and they aren't going to worry about Maine politics.

Senators represent their state first. It is absurd to think people that otherwise would vote for Talarico would vote for Paxton because of the decision of primary voters in Maine -- an electorate they share only some similarities with.

almost never post show up and post when there's a Democrat to kick while he's down. That's amazing, too.

Platner is not yet the nominee. I think selecting him as the nominee will be a drag on the party nationally. Every candidate in every race everywhere is going to have to answer for him. We'll be hearing about his racism, misogyny, and homophobia from now until November. We'll be very fortunate if we don't get pictures of his junk or some racy chat logs with a fifteen year old before the election is over, and Dems at the national level will have to speak to all of this because Republicans will be blasting every bit of dirt they have 24/7.

If the voters in Maine really want this guy they'll have him, but I think it's a bad idea and I'm not afraid to say that.

Thank goodness that we have a brave voice, not afraid to talk about how Platner's campaign is influencing Texas's politics. Way too many people on DU have fallen for the silly distractions such as the war in Iran, the economy, and the need to elect Democrats to the House and Senate. Come on, people! Do not ignore the fact that my 30-year old water heater shit the bed last week, definitely a result of Platner's campaign.

If you choose to believe that Platner won't be hung like an albatross around every Democratic candidates neck I can't stop you. But the only things I'm holding Platner responsible for are his own admitted actions.

that you are whistling. I had agreed 100% with you that Platner is the single largest issue facing not only our country, and to the republic for which it stands, but the world. I am convinced it is the stumbling block to a resolution to the war in Iran. Thus, it is essential that you keep whistling that song. It's more than Mineral Man talking about you, I suspect. I am speaking not about Platner's past, in any sense of the word. For his campaign is surely less important than the valuable information you are providing the DU community with on how he is hurting Democrats in Texas! It's not like we could expect the media, from corporate to pod cast, to dare to address or undress this issue. It's up to you!

The truth is rarely welcome here, and I expect to receive my pizza shortly.

What truth? You don’t like Platner? Got it.

He's also a horrible human being. By his own admission. No, I do not like him.

All those things are true.

Except you don’t like him.

I hold her responsible for funding kidnapping and murder on the streets. But while you keep running with the tabloid-inspired news, real people are being hurt all over the country.

In my opinion Platner makes it more difficult for the party nationally.

This is not a national election, and I don’t believe people consider candidates in other states when voting in their own state. The polls in Maine favor Platner.

All elections, especially those for Federal office, are watched by people in every state. Has everyone here forgotten Christine O'Donnell? We smeared her as a witch and made every single republican answer for her. Painted the whole party as crazy. You think the Republicans aren't looking to return the favor?

And full of other things unmentionable.

You're the one supporting the racist, misogynistic, homophobic, horn dog with the totenkopf tattoo, not me.

that he is the only viable candidate who can defeat Collins, which has to happen. She is an enabler for much worse people than Platner who have done irreparable harm. You seem to ignore this fact and are revving up the attack machine you are so worried about.

Actually, she had a history of dabbling in bizarre stuff when she was younger. I seem to recall that she pushed back by insisting that she never pledged a coven, or something like that.

I don't think we smeared her that bad. We mostly focused on her right-wing politics in that race, and how they were out of step for Delaware. The witchcraft stuff was mainly a source of amusement.

In any event, I don't remember Republican candidates across America being forced to answer for her or scrambling to distance themselves from her. They all had their own races with their own issues. Besides, the Republicans won big in the 2010 midterms, minus Christine O'Donnell, who lost. Clearly the rest of her party were not being held to account for the words or actions of some random Senate candidate in Delaware.

It's a conspiracy, no doubt.

not working is huge news in Texas. Platner's obvious role in this puts Texas elections at risk!

And the consensus appears to be that you may need to change the battery in the garage door remote.

Texas is always ready to help!

He's been called every other slur under the sun so sure, why not a Nazi too? The worst of the worst. But maybe we can go further and just call him Lucifer. A new twist on the old demonization trick.

Susan Collins thanks us for our service.

Good read on the Nazi shit here:

https://archive.is/gMNpr

but he was on the Grassy Knoll. Texas races are at risk. Plus he was the bad guy at My Lai, and the baddest guy at Wounded Knee. If that's not bad enough, he dropped the bomb on the Iranian little girls' school. He murdered Marilyn Monroe, too.

I thought that I would post these dire "facts" before anyone else decided to scare us with them.

But, what do I know?

Forget it, Jake. It's Maine.

rethinking past decisions and making a change for the better, Is admirable to my thinking. That said I would weight heavily, recent relationships over a time.

Good luck Mainers.

I'm not necessarily talking about the religious kind. But Mainers will have to be the ones to judge if he's sincere or not. At least he has tried to make amends, unlike trump and other Rs.

SERIOUSLY

Kinda sad, really

and the space between 0 and 1.

In the first case, it is a difference of magnitude.

In the second case, it is a difference of magnitude and a change of category.


I want Susan Collins to lose. I also want good policy.

If he's still being abusive towards his partners I'm 2021 and then sexting on his wife right after marriage, to me it either looks a lot like he fundamentally doesn't respect women and/or he hasn't done nearly enough work on himself to really change.

And walking back his apology on that stupid tattoo doesn't help. He went from acknowledging it looked like a totenkopf and getting it covered to saying it wasn't that at all. And now we have a second source saying he called it his totenkopf so his apology that he walked back looks shakier.

Saying he's learned when his actions don't demonstrate it is easy. Words are cheap. If I tell you I can run a 3 minute mile are you going to believe me just because I said it?

You have a habit of taking an accusation and presenting it like it’s true when it’s not

And you have a habit of believing unfounded conspiracy theories even when all the evidence says otherwise and refusing to change your mind when presented with evidence. So I don't give your admonishment much weight that I'm too gullible.

Do you have an example of 3 women independently accusing a guy of being abusive and it's false? Or are you just pretending that dismissing one means dismissing all of them?

What looks like a duck and walks like a duck is often not a duck at all.

New Yorker
The Case of Al Franken
Jane Mayer
July 22, 2019

https://web.archive.org/web/20190829044419/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken

Start with a drip drip, then pile on everything you can possibly dig up without looking past the surface. Release in rapid succession so there's no time for individual reports to be scrutinized. Cue outrage at "nothing terrible in isolation, but look at the number of them!"

The goal is to incite a mob mentality. Cue the pitchforks and torches.

It sure looks like some entity is orchestrating the smear of Platner following the same playbook.

From Maine, one must perforce "leave it up to" the voting residents.

Even commentary. Or so I've read on DU.

We continue to be in an era where too many people identify as victims and have a compulsive need to express their outrage. I would suggest that we need to be strong now, which includes recognizing that there never has been, is not now, nor ever will be a perfect person. And if there ever is, they sure as fuck are not going to become a politician.

Sometimes I wonder how I made it this far.

Try to look at the big picture and not look too far back.

was forced out of the Senate!!!!

So, there's that. Are you really worried that he gets away Scot free if elected. I'm not.

Now If you're planning to defend Platner no matter what, then you might as well join the Trump loonies.

prosecutable, and don’t see your point.

If you plan to shit on him no matter what, you might as well join the Trump administration.

About him that just makes him unelectable.But then I remember the Dominant Culture voted for Trump 3 times . . . so anything can happen.

"Platner is certainly flawed. But he's admitted it and apologized. Equating his situation with trump, who has never admitted anything, even when he is found guilty by a jury, is not fair. Trump has not apologized or said that he has learned from his misdeeds."

The Apprentice (2024) - Trump's 3 rules for life - ending scene