General Discussion

Emile

(42,991 posts) Thu Apr 30, 2026, 04:14 PM Thursday

Why the 'Nazi tattoo guy' is winning in Maine [View all]

Americans’ contempt for elites is why the ‘Nazi tattoo guy’ is winning!

Platner’s supporters, not surprisingly, do not see these things as automatically disqualifying. His younger backers, in particular, said his missteps remind them of dumb things they did when they were younger, in a world where everything goes online and stays there, no matter how embarrassing.

Whatever his flaws, Platner has tapped into something that elites — especially the tired old hands of Democratic politics — cannot ignore, no matter how hard they try to cover their eyes. Maine is rebelling against the gerontocracy, against a cowed party’s focus-grouped deer-in-the-headlights timidity, and against politicians who cater to the whims of billionaire donors.

https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/attytood/graham-platner-maine-senate-orban-trump-pope-leo-20260414.html

111 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Why the 'Nazi tattoo guy' is winning in Maine [View all] Emile Thursday OP

"Elites" is a sure tell for shallow thinking Easterncedar Thursday #1

A Senator serving 30 yrs is perceived as elite leftstreet Thursday #2

Is Bernie Sanders perceived as "elite"? whathehell Thursday #7

Yes! Yes yes yes yes yes. mr715 Thursday #8

What is your definition of "elite"? whathehell Thursday #12

A person invited to special parties mr715 Thursday #14

I tend to think of 'elites' as people whathehell Thursday #67

Ehhh I usually agree. mr715 Thursday #71

We see things a bit differently, then. whathehell Thursday #73

I hear you. mr715 Thursday #76

I'd probably view someone like LBJ as whathehell Friday #93

Power elite. Sanders, due to being a US Senator, & also being the unofficial but widely acknowledged national leader of Celerity Thursday #25

If Bernie was actually a power elite we would have nationalized healthcare for all questionseverything Friday #104

The American system (all things to do with humans included) is far too complex for one single human to have that level Celerity Friday #107

"serving 30 years" Norrrm Thursday #36

Okay, then tell us why you think he's winning. Emile Thursday #11

You got that right,.... magicarpet Thursday #38

Platner will get votes from 2nd district chelsea0011 Thursday #45

Yes.. Yes,.. Maine does not need a return of Paul LePage. magicarpet Thursday #85

I agree with you! Easterncedar Thursday #86

Hell, I did some really stupid things when I was younger. Ferrets are Cool Thursday #3

I pulled a lawnmower over my foot EdmondDantes_ Thursday #13

Your post reminded me of a recent Onion article I read Blue Owl Thursday #75

Yeah man Polybius Friday #97

Isn't he from means? AStern Thursday #4

of course! Skittles Thursday #19

None of that stuff ever comes up. Stories about Platner consistently say he's a working oysterman, a harbormaster, sop Thursday #44

He, like all of us, contains contradictions. mr715 Thursday #65

I suppose I should cross my fingers hoping nazi tattoo guy wins Torchlight Thursday #5

Guy comes from money, tries and fails various roles (scholar, Marine, private military contractor) and now wants to try WhiskeyGrinder Thursday #6

Elite and entitled are independent, though. mr715 Thursday #9

TY! "Elite" is just a buzzword. Who is suppose Cha Thursday #61

Exactly what is it in his military service record that makes you say he "failed "? questionseverything Friday #98

. WhiskeyGrinder Friday #99

I think you are mistaken but even if it were true questionseverything Friday #100

Here's his DD214, fwiw. WhiskeyGrinder Friday #102

No comment on the rats? AIPAC will throw anything and everything at him questionseverything Friday #103

felt like a non sequitor so I ignored it WhiskeyGrinder Friday #106

Israel's attitude of treating Palestinians as less than animals is exactly why questionseverything Friday #109

I could be wrong, but I think there are a few on here who would find your effort to paint me as a centrist or friend of WhiskeyGrinder Friday #110

I thought he was sorry for that nazi shit............... Lovie777 Thursday #10

Sure he is mercuryblues Thursday #16

Why do you think he's winning? Emile Thursday #17

Maybe, it's the MorbidButterflyTat Thursday #21

Didn't realize the incumbent Senator was a male. mr715 Thursday #56

Because he has convinced people mercuryblues Thursday #58

I was originally for Mills because she's proven she could win statewide aeromanKC Thursday #15

aeromanKC Upthevibe Thursday #20

White male gets a pass mercuryblues Thursday #18

Sorry but I think this guy is gonna be a problem. tazcat Thursday #22

Same here. 2MuchNoise Thursday #23

Why do you think this democrat is winning? Emile Thursday #24

He fucking better not be another John Fetterman DinahMoeHum Thursday #26

Do you prefer Fetterman to Oz? mr715 Thursday #48

He does look like a hillbilly Beringia Thursday #27

Just why is he running around shirtless at someone's wedding anyway? MichMan Thursday #43

It gets hot in a suit. mr715 Thursday #49

Where is the picture of a shirtless bride? MichMan Thursday #51

That is just absurd. mr715 Thursday #53

His populist message resonates for many people and I hope he can beat Collins. walkingman Thursday #28

LOL Skittles Thursday #47

I'm leaving this to Maine voters, just hope he doesn't turn into another turncoat like the infamous dual man and sin yaesu Thursday #29

I've seen this guy ThreeNoSeep Thursday #30

I hope you're right. I forgot about Elizabeth Warren's background. NNadir Thursday #31

Mills stood up to Trump over transgender rights, and sued when they tried to block child nutrition funds muriel_volestrangler Thursday #32

I'm supportive and just hoping he has truly changed mvd Thursday #33

With the suspension of Mills campaign, does DU consider the primary to be over? Prairie Gates Thursday #34

Do Maine Dems hold an endorsing convention? Or just go straight to primary? There are other Dem candidates still as well WhiskeyGrinder Thursday #35

Oh, great Prairie Gates Thursday #37

doesn't answer my question, but ok WhiskeyGrinder Thursday #40

Oh, were you asking me a question about no-name candidates also on the Maine Dem ballot? Prairie Gates Thursday #41

My understanding is they have ranked choice? mr715 Thursday #50

You know... i gave him a listen in the jon stewart interview and was also quite impressed SSJVegeta Thursday #39

It is Maine, so we are allowed to feel "concerns" mr715 Thursday #52

Well said and I wholeheartedly agree! SSJVegeta Thursday #55

I like you. mr715 Thursday #57

I listened to one and a half hours with him and Jon Stewart bluestateboomer Thursday #42

So once the primary is over Red Mountain Thursday #46

these two Skittles Thursday #54

Complicated question. mr715 Thursday #60

I hear you Skittles Thursday #62

My wish is to get rid of Susan Collins... mr715 Thursday #64

yeah Skittles Thursday #81

I can't believe the party was pushing a 79 year old candidate. Call me ageist all you like, but Scrivener7 Thursday #74

I agree Skittles Thursday #80

He is winning because of the steady inundation TheProle Thursday #59

He is winning because he is doing the foot work. mr715 Thursday #63

"...there is a strong desire (nationally) for a loud mouth, though not necessarily white guy." MorbidButterflyTat Friday #101

AOC, for one. mr715 Friday #105

Exactly. MorbidButterflyTat Friday #111

There's that Easterncedar Thursday #87

He himself is an elite, he went to a fancy boarding school. He's a poseur Blues Heron Thursday #66

Not exactly a working class hero. DinahMoeHum Thursday #79

I have misgivings about him MustLoveBeagles Thursday #68

I agree with this posture. mr715 Thursday #72

I'll be voting for Janet Mills in the primary. OAITW r.2.0 Thursday #69

why even bother eShirl Thursday #82

Why is he winning? Seems it is right there in the first line. Behind the Aegis Thursday #70

Well, since Fetterman seems to be on the wrong side of an awful lot these days...... Red Mountain Thursday #77

I support elites in government lapfog_1 Thursday #78

This message was self-deleted by its author Emile Thursday #83

He was pretty impressive on Jen Psaki tonight. Emile Thursday #84

Some people on DU can get upset if you say Democrats have abandoned the working class... biocube Thursday #88

Two of the most progressive Democrats Locutusofborg Thursday #89

The fact that we can't tell Nazis to fuck all the way off is why we're here. Initech Thursday #90

It is very disheartening and disappointing to see all the focus niyad Thursday #91

don't they pretty much go hand-in-hand? Skittles Friday #94

Pretty much. niyad Friday #95

but.....he's CHANGED, he's a new man! Skittles Friday #96

Platner and Fetterman Locutusofborg Friday #92

Susie Concern should have jumped off the GOP ship years ago Zambero Friday #108