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dsc

(53,215 posts)
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 02:50 PM Saturday

The fact that Graham Platner is apparently leading Gov. Mills in the Maine primary is ageism out of control

Mills is the governor of Maine and in that role has repeatedly stood up to Trump, something that everyone claims to want. Platner has a NAZI tattoo, called gays the f word, denigrated rape victims, and has no apparent qualifications for senate. I don't care if Eve is Mills midwife, she is the obvious choice.

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The fact that Graham Platner is apparently leading Gov. Mills in the Maine primary is ageism out of control (Original Post) dsc Saturday OP
Have there been any polls released since he revealed his Nazi tattoo to the world? tritsofme Saturday #1
Isn't it still coming from that one poll? leftstreet Saturday #2
AI lists 4 polls with Mills leading in one of the four womanofthehills Saturday #71
Thanks leftstreet Saturday #73
They aren't the only choices Fiendish Thingy Saturday #3
The woman has won nearly every race she has been in dsc Saturday #8
Not the biggest crime, but age is indeed a very important factor for voters to consider Fiendish Thingy Saturday #19
Hmmm...Pro filibuster vs. Pro Nazi. Yeah. It's still an easy call in my opinion. PeaceWave Saturday #20
There are five other candidates besides Mills and Platner Fiendish Thingy Saturday #22
Feel free to name one "better qualified" than Mills, who has served as both Maine's Governor and Attorney General. PeaceWave Saturday #23
Meh. In today's climate, does it matter? leftstreet Saturday #25
Anyone under 60 Fiendish Thingy Saturday #29
Where are you coming up with this arbitrary age 60 cut off? That's quite literally age discrimination... PeaceWave Saturday #37
I'm 68 myself Fiendish Thingy Saturday #51
According to reality based Wikipedia Mills is 77 not 79. BannonsLiver 21 hrs ago #91
If she's elected, she'll be 79 on the day she's sworn in as a Senator - the oldest first year Senator ever. NT Midwestern Democrat 17 hrs ago #95
Great. But that's not right now. Right now she's 77. BannonsLiver 13 hrs ago #106
I will take a smart, high functioning 79 year old woman with integrity over a Nazi sympathizer any day of the week. PeaceWave 12 hrs ago #107
We can't afford another Fetterman or Sinema or Manchin. travelingthrulife 17 hrs ago #94
This message was self-deleted by its author Melon Yesterday #85
Shenna Bellows, jaymac Saturday #35
Bellows is running for Governor, I believe Easterncedar Saturday #45
you are right of course jaymac Saturday #46
Bellows already ran against Sue Collins marcopolo63 Saturday #57
But no hope in either campaign Easterncedar Saturday #63
Did you intend to leave out the "won" ? ❤️ littlemissmartypants Saturday #32
nope dsc Saturday #48
old and jaymac Saturday #34
So when and how did he go from being callow to someone we should vote for dsc Saturday #41
I don't know how he got there, soldierant Saturday #49
Don't you think voters want and deserve some answer to this dsc Saturday #68
Oh, absolutely. soldierant 8 hrs ago #116
So the white man with the Nazi tattoo and hateful words mcar 23 hrs ago #87
That pretty much sums it up according to some people. PeaceWave 9 hrs ago #112
She is very establishment and not as anti war as he is womanofthehills Saturday #67
His "tattoo" resembles the Nazi SS Totenkopf. sheshe2 Saturday #77
He joined Blackwater (under a new name) karynnj 12 hrs ago #108
Platner's story just gets worse and worse. Was this guy completely not vetted or what? PeaceWave 10 hrs ago #111
I don't think candidates go through a betting process karynnj 8 hrs ago #115
Many polls? Platner supporters don't do themselves any favors by exaggerating like this. Wiz Imp 8 hrs ago #113
there were 8, one dropped out eShirl Saturday #17
The strongest additional candidate, a woman, has now endorsed the former Governor. nt pnwmom Saturday #42
Eight months out from the primary, there is no need to anoint a presumptive nominee Fiendish Thingy Saturday #53
Ranked Choice Voting will apply for this primary, correct? RandomNumbers 16 hrs ago #99
At this point probably not as it greatly complicated everything karynnj 12 hrs ago #109
The Sanders endorsement may mean something to primary voters MichMan Saturday #4
If I "spent months extolling someone's virtues" only to learn that person has done vile things... PeaceWave Saturday #13
By apologizing, explaining, and changing the tattoo? thought crime Saturday #64
He has... sheshe2 Saturday #78
Or is he just Too Progressive? thought crime Yesterday #81
What would be "too progressive" exactly? I'm not familiar with him. Policy? Something else? betsuni Yesterday #82
If you listen to his political speech from way back before Mills entered. A month or two ago. thought crime Yesterday #83
Oh, so you mean now that it turns out he's not so progressive, former supporters have "knives out." betsuni 22 hrs ago #89
No, that's not what I meant at all. thought crime 16 hrs ago #96
Yes, nothing says "Progressive" like a SS Death Camp Guard tattoo on your chest for 18 years. nt EX500rider 16 hrs ago #97
No kidding. I get that Platner's supporters were blindsided by his true nature, but... PeaceWave 16 hrs ago #98
Give it time. Mills just entered the race which is't til next June Jersey Devil Saturday #5
Thank you! CBHagman Saturday #7
Thank you.😊 sheshe2 Saturday #12
Exactly. Platner has been running for Senate. Mills was not Raven123 Saturday #31
Given some of the comments seen even on DU, count me unsurprised. Better a NAZI-devote' who is young, white, male hlthe2b Saturday #6
Bingo. The out in the open disdain for seniors has no place anywhere in our Party. PeaceWave Saturday #11
This message was self-deleted by its author Melon Yesterday #86
She should drop out and give Jared Wood and better chance Renew Deal Saturday #18
What's his story...? hlthe2b Saturday #24
Not a Maine resident but I looked the other day ... cliffside Saturday #66
He seems like a good possibility dsc Saturday #70
That was my thought as well, plus he wants to limit money in politics ... cliffside Saturday #75
OP is 100% correct. If Platner wins simply because he's younger, we will have embarrassed ourselves... PeaceWave Saturday #9
Could be because MorbidButterflyTat Saturday #27
sorry peace wave jaymac Saturday #36
It's not really about age but him being a white man JI7 Saturday #69
If Susan Collins wins, we will have embarrassed ourselves. thought crime Saturday #74
I've been... 2naSalit Saturday #10
In US politics markodochartaigh Saturday #14
It's happening here, too. Easier to talk about age or tattoos than their political positions. thought crime Saturday #76
The only thing obvious is that the establishment hasn't learned anything from 2016 and 2024 Renew Deal Saturday #15
Care to elaborate? PeaceWave Saturday #16
The only thing obvious is that "progressives" haven't learned anything mcar 23 hrs ago #88
There is a huge backlash against feminists and lgbt right now JI7 Saturday #21
Don't forget sexism! MorbidButterflyTat Saturday #26
Are they polling just Dems or anyone? IronLionZion Saturday #28
It appears for the Democratic Primary they polled Registered Democrats, Green Party Wiz Imp Saturday #33
There are currently 6 candidates running. Wiz Imp Saturday #30
Same made up Status Quo Establishment vs Progressive war to divide Democrats. Myth that old means conservative, betsuni Saturday #38
Yup. Not to mention a convenient disregard for Bernie being all of 84. PeaceWave Saturday #40
Oh, that's consistency and authenticity. Totally different. betsuni Saturday #47
What you said! Tarheel_Dem 21 hrs ago #90
Scary shit. Joinfortmill Saturday #39
I'm solidly behind Platner Akakoji Saturday #43
The party is fucked when Nazi views are excused nini Saturday #59
I can't say it'll make me give up. But, it certainly makes me suspicious as to the agenda of certain people. PeaceWave Saturday #61
Have you even researched his Reddit anti gay slurs? sheshe2 Yesterday #79
It's not all ageism Easterncedar Saturday #44
I'm not gonna get into the ageism debate Samael13 Saturday #50
"Should he never be allowed that opportunity to show hes not the same person that did those things." WhiskeyGrinder Saturday #55
Platner had more than 1,800 posts on Reddit between 2009 and 2021. He posted under the handle P-Hustle... PeaceWave Saturday #56
I don't care as long as a Democrat wins oldmanlynn Saturday #52
We're talking about a primary here. We have a right to reject anyone who dabbles in Nazi symbols and hate speech... PeaceWave Saturday #54
Platner is a warrior! marcopolo63 Saturday #58
Perhaps given that information he knew the origins of his tattoo is coming out you will rethink that EdmondDantes_ Saturday #60
. WhiskeyGrinder Saturday #65
Why not run them? marcopolo63 20 hrs ago #92
"integrity and strength of character" yeah that's definitely what I think of when a guy suddenly demands that his WhiskeyGrinder 15 hrs ago #102
Demand? marcopolo63 14 hrs ago #103
"It's not as if he..." what? The excuses for Platner appear to be losing steam. PeaceWave 14 hrs ago #104
"It's not a lie if you believe it" -- that fits. betsuni 12 hrs ago #110
What would be a dealbreaker for you? WhiskeyGrinder 14 hrs ago #105
It really takes some nerve to be younger, healthier, better looking, etc. AND want older folks to just disappear... PeaceWave Saturday #62
Hysterics over OMG what if they die or get sick! Like when you're little and think about what if you were an orphan, betsuni Yesterday #80
Then they can replace her with someone who's alive. Iggo 7 hrs ago #117
I think it has more to do with the fact that she only just entered the race, while Jack Valentino Saturday #72
Here is some more recent polling that makes me smile LetMyPeopleVote Yesterday #84
Thank you, LMPV! sheshe2 17 hrs ago #93
In this case, at least with those 2, Mills seems like an easy choice. Let Platner prove himself on a smaller role first themaguffin 16 hrs ago #100
Maine has Ranked Choice Voting RandomNumbers 16 hrs ago #101
People are ignoring the one poll of the general election so far. Wiz Imp 8 hrs ago #114

tritsofme

(19,620 posts)
1. Have there been any polls released since he revealed his Nazi tattoo to the world?
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 02:55 PM
Saturday

And voters heard about his litany of racist, misogynist, and anti-LGBTQ rants?

It would have been understandable for voters to pick a fresh face before it was apparent that he is a fatally flawed candidate with Nazi problems. Now his campaign is in a death spiral.

womanofthehills

(10,529 posts)
71. AI lists 4 polls with Mills leading in one of the four
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 10:43 PM
Saturday

Looks like young progressives are for Platner and Seniors and college educated women are for for Mills.


### Key Recent Polls (Democratic Primary):
- **University of New Hampshire Survey Center (UNH)** (Oct. 16–21, 2025; n=506 Democratic likely voters; ±4.3% MOE): Platner 58%, Mills 24%, undecided 14%, others 4%. *Conducted mostly before the tattoo revelation.*

- **National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC)** (Oct. 22–23, 2025; n=647 Democratic likely voters; ±3.5% MOE): Platner 46%, Mills 25%, Jordan Wood 3%, undecided 26%. *Post-controversy; Platner favorables at +50 among Democrats.

- **Informed Ballot** (Oct. 21–25, 2025; n=500 likely voters; unstated MOE): Unprompted—Platner 36%, Mills 41%, undecided 20%. Prompted on tattoo—Platner 29%, Mills 59%. *Shows controversy impact, with Mills leading among older voters, women, and college grads.*

- **Emerson College Polling** (Oct. 21–23, 2025; n=935 likely voters; unstated MOE for primary subsample): Platner 47%, Mills 31%, Wood 3%. *Post-controversy crosstabs not detailed publicly.*

### Prediction Markets (as of Oct. 24–25, 2025):
- **Kalshi**: Platner 53% chance of winning primary (up 27 points in a day), Mills 43%.
- **Polymarket**: Platner 56% chance (up 30 points in two days), Mills 41%.

leftstreet

(37,743 posts)
73. Thanks
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 10:47 PM
Saturday

Thanks for posting those

It's interesting, given that Mills only announced a couple days before the first poll started gathering.

It'll be interesting to see if/how/when polls change

Fiendish Thingy

(21,171 posts)
3. They aren't the only choices
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:01 PM
Saturday

There 1 or 2 others running for the Dem nomination, and the primary is several months away.

Nothing says voters must choose between two weak candidates.

dsc

(53,215 posts)
8. The woman has won nearly every race she has been in
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:08 PM
Saturday

Last edited Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:16 PM - Edit history (1)

losing only two. But I know she is old, which is apparently the biggest crime on earth now.

Fiendish Thingy

(21,171 posts)
19. Not the biggest crime, but age is indeed a very important factor for voters to consider
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:36 PM
Saturday

Also, She is pro-filibuster, which means continued gridlock and no chance at expanding the court to dilute the current corrupt fascist majority, or to pass legislation undoing the damage of the Trump era.

Just because she is the best known candidate doesn’t mean she is the best choice.

Fiendish Thingy

(21,171 posts)
22. There are five other candidates besides Mills and Platner
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:41 PM
Saturday

And surely numerous others better qualified who could jump into the race with plenty of time before next June’s primary.

Voters don’t have to choose between the two with the most name recognition.

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
23. Feel free to name one "better qualified" than Mills, who has served as both Maine's Governor and Attorney General.
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:46 PM
Saturday

leftstreet

(37,743 posts)
25. Meh. In today's climate, does it matter?
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:18 PM
Saturday

Qualified to serve vs qualified to win

Like it or not, that's where we are

Fiendish Thingy

(21,171 posts)
29. Anyone under 60
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:21 PM
Saturday

Who doesn’t have Nazi tattoos, Reddit posting scandals, and is willing to kill the filibuster and expand the court.

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
37. Where are you coming up with this arbitrary age 60 cut off? That's quite literally age discrimination...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:44 PM
Saturday

The Constitution sets the parameters for age eligibility for elected office. In the employment arena, the ADEA applies. If you don't like it, work to amend the Constitution and/or get rid of the ADEA - and see the horrendous backlash you'll get from senior citizens. Until then though, folks over the age of 60 possess the same rights to run for elected office and have access to employment as do any other qualified Americans.

Fiendish Thingy

(21,171 posts)
51. I'm 68 myself
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:31 PM
Saturday

We’ve seen for too much inertia and business as usual from congress, especially the senate, having a high percentage of geriatric members.

I picked the age of 60 arbitrarily; my point is, surely Dems can do better than a 79 year old pro-filibuster centrist?

If a young, populist candidate with serious flaws has attracted this much buzz, attention and support, then imagine how far we could go with a young populist candidate without serious flaws or scandals.

Eight months out from the primary, voters don’t have to settle for the candidate with the best name recognition.

There is plenty of time to recruit a qualified candidate who will fight and win.

95. If she's elected, she'll be 79 on the day she's sworn in as a Senator - the oldest first year Senator ever. NT
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 10:26 AM
17 hrs ago

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
107. I will take a smart, high functioning 79 year old woman with integrity over a Nazi sympathizer any day of the week.
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 02:57 PM
12 hrs ago

If the best attack against Mills that you've got is her age, it ain't working.

travelingthrulife

(3,620 posts)
94. We can't afford another Fetterman or Sinema or Manchin.
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 09:39 AM
17 hrs ago

Just please vet these people carefully.

Response to PeaceWave (Reply #37)

marcopolo63

(83 posts)
57. Bellows already ran against Sue Collins
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:53 PM
Saturday

in 2014 and lost badly. The Governor’s race is the one she can win!

littlemissmartypants

(30,498 posts)
32. Did you intend to leave out the "won" ? ❤️
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:33 PM
Saturday

Ageism affects the young, too. Children have been disenfranchised forever. It's all just discrimination.

Seniors, children, women, black, brown, LGBT+, et. al.

We just suck at being inclusive now, apparently.

dsc

(53,215 posts)
48. nope
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:17 PM
Saturday

I had thought she had won all her races and found out she hadn't so my edit was sloppy.

jaymac

(70 posts)
34. old and
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:39 PM
Saturday

one of the "third way" democrats who thought they were hot tickets in the 80's. That has been the downfall of the Democratic Party.
he is surely as qualified as Mills or Jordan.........my guess is, his life experience has taught him how to tell a liar from a truth teller. and that is something Collins has no grasp of. In this age of everything you've ever said on social media is subject to intense scrutiny even what you wrote as a callow young man cannot the only criteria a man is judged by. I found ole Charlie Kirk much more offensive, not to mention the last batch of more recent "young" republicans revelations.
being old is not the biggest crime......but Mills does not deserve to win or place.

dsc

(53,215 posts)
41. So when and how did he go from being callow to someone we should vote for
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:51 PM
Saturday

He was a full fledged adult when he posted much of that.

soldierant

(9,073 posts)
49. I don't know how he got there,
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:19 PM
Saturday

but I do know that converts are often more devout that many people who have held the same beliefs all their life. And that this is apparently true outside of religion. See Eric Hoffer's book "The True Believer." it's not new, but neither is the phenomenon, and Hoffer explains it better than anone else I've seen.

soldierant

(9,073 posts)
116. Oh, absolutely.
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 07:28 PM
8 hrs ago

But there may well be a good answer. I just wouldn't write him off just yet.

mcar

(45,424 posts)
87. So the white man with the Nazi tattoo and hateful words
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 04:01 AM
23 hrs ago

has learned from his "youthful errors" (in his 30s), but the highly successful woman can never be forgiven for opinions she may have held in the 80s?

Got a couple "isms" going there, IMO.

womanofthehills

(10,529 posts)
67. She is very establishment and not as anti war as he is
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 10:28 PM
Saturday

Also, almost twice his age. Seems like those who are very outspoken about the genocide are doing better in the polls. In many polls he is polling way ahead of her. If the young show up to vote, the more progressive candidate often does better. Interesting to see if his tattoo affects the current polling.

sheshe2

(94,536 posts)
77. His "tattoo" resembles the Nazi SS Totenkopf.
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 11:45 PM
Saturday

He also has more to explain with his vile LGBTQ slurs, some of which were posted a few years ago.

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner admits using ‘indefensible’ antigay slurs in unearthed Reddit posts

https://www.advocate.com/politics/graham-platner-homophobic-posts

karynnj

(60,604 posts)
108. He joined Blackwater (under a new name)
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 03:04 PM
12 hrs ago

That is not like someone who joined the military for patriotic reasons. AFTER fighting in the military and coming back to go to college, he became a mercenary. How can you say he more antiwar than others without ignoring much of his past.

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
111. Platner's story just gets worse and worse. Was this guy completely not vetted or what?
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 05:02 PM
10 hrs ago

karynnj

(60,604 posts)
115. I don't think candidates go through a betting process
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 07:24 PM
8 hrs ago

I think that people like Bernie should do more to vet people before endorsing them. I think the primaries are the normal process of vetting

I believe it is typical for a campaign to do opposition research on itself to know what is findable. Here, this was either the media or another candidate.
.

Wiz Imp

(7,804 posts)
113. Many polls? Platner supporters don't do themselves any favors by exaggerating like this.
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 07:04 PM
8 hrs ago

There haven't been "many" polls of this race. ONE poll had him polling "way ahead of her"

And the one and only poll of the general election so far showed Mills with a 5% lead over Collins, while Platner was tied - and that was before all of the negative info surfaced about Platner.

https://perfectunion.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/More-Perfect-Union_-Maine-Senate-General-Election-Benchmark-Poll.pdf

Fiendish Thingy

(21,171 posts)
53. Eight months out from the primary, there is no need to anoint a presumptive nominee
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:33 PM
Saturday

Plenty of time to recruit a better candidate who will support killing the filibuster in order to expand the court and save democracy.

RandomNumbers

(18,964 posts)
99. Ranked Choice Voting will apply for this primary, correct?
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 11:22 AM
16 hrs ago

If I'm correct, I would propose that anyone familiar with that fact, mention it whenever they post about this race. It's a game-changer.

Are polls taking RCV into account? (not sure if or how they would, haven't thought about it much yet since my state doesn't have it, sigh)

karynnj

(60,604 posts)
109. At this point probably not as it greatly complicated everything
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 03:12 PM
12 hrs ago

Now in the UNH poll, he was over 50 so it wouldn't matter, but that poll 's earliest responders probably did not hear any of these negatives and might not even be aware that Mills was running.

From what I have seen of RCV, I suspect that he would be the second choice of very few because of his bad negatives. I also suspect that over the next several months, people originally for him might align themselves with someone new. I also think that the strongest candidates will each be polled against Collins. That could have major impact.

MichMan

(16,156 posts)
4. The Sanders endorsement may mean something to primary voters
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:04 PM
Saturday

Some have spent months extolling his virtues, so not surprised about the polling.

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
13. If I "spent months extolling someone's virtues" only to learn that person has done vile things...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:19 PM
Saturday

I would drop that person in a heartbeat. Period. We aren't talking about a stock you're hoping will rebound. We're talking about Nazi tattoos and expressed vile comments about women and the gay community. How the hell do you rebound from that?

thought crime

(910 posts)
64. By apologizing, explaining, and changing the tattoo?
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 09:28 PM
Saturday

This isn't Hegseth, charging along with unchanged beliefs. Platner has said many things that reflect progressive beliefs.

sheshe2

(94,536 posts)
78. He has...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 11:53 PM
Saturday
Platner has said many things that reflect progressive beliefs.


And he has also said things that is against everything our party stands for. He is no progressive.

thought crime

(910 posts)
81. Or is he just Too Progressive?
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 01:30 AM
Yesterday

I suspect Platner may be running into a lot of flack because he is too progressive for some. Oh well.

betsuni

(28,496 posts)
82. What would be "too progressive" exactly? I'm not familiar with him. Policy? Something else?
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 01:56 AM
Yesterday

thought crime

(910 posts)
83. If you listen to his political speech from way back before Mills entered. A month or two ago.
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 02:14 AM
Yesterday

He sounded like a pretty progressive candidate. Bernie Sanders endorsed him. Somebody called him the "Mamdani of Maine". Now it's knives out from the usual suspects.

betsuni

(28,496 posts)
89. Oh, so you mean now that it turns out he's not so progressive, former supporters have "knives out."
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 04:37 AM
22 hrs ago

thought crime

(910 posts)
96. No, that's not what I meant at all.
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 11:06 AM
16 hrs ago

For the most part, the people attacking him are not former supporters. They are the usual suspects. To find out what his political positions are you have to go back before all the controversy began (just after Mills announced).

EX500rider

(12,066 posts)
97. Yes, nothing says "Progressive" like a SS Death Camp Guard tattoo on your chest for 18 years. nt
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 11:13 AM
16 hrs ago

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
98. No kidding. I get that Platner's supporters were blindsided by his true nature, but...
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 11:19 AM
16 hrs ago

Trying to defend the man at all costs isn't the answer. Through his own actions and words, Platner has politically wounded himself. Like they say in sports...Next man (or, in this case, woman) standing.

Jersey Devil

(10,538 posts)
5. Give it time. Mills just entered the race which is't til next June
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:06 PM
Saturday

Platner built his lead when Mills appeared uninterested in the race and before all his stumbles surfaced. Everything needs time to stew and settle and then we discuss it much more intelligently.

Raven123

(7,210 posts)
31. Exactly. Platner has been running for Senate. Mills was not
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:32 PM
Saturday

Now that’s they are both candidates, we will see. IMO way too soon to assert ageism.

hlthe2b

(111,883 posts)
6. Given some of the comments seen even on DU, count me unsurprised. Better a NAZI-devote' who is young, white, male
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:06 PM
Saturday

than an almost 78-year-old female in apparent good health and mind (I shouldn't have to remind some how differently statistically men and women age, but I digress), who has given her adult life to public service.

Might we go with someone younger who had likewise committed to years of public service and experience if they were in the primary? Maybe. But one with the baggage of this NAZI tattoo-bearer who likewise has said the most revolting things about women, downplayed rape, and gender equality?

If we do, how are we different from the MAGA women-hating NeoNazis? Do tell?

Response to PeaceWave (Reply #11)

cliffside

(1,454 posts)
66. Not a Maine resident but I looked the other day ...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 10:28 PM
Saturday

United States Senate election in Maine, 2026 - The candidates who have raised at least 100k
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220744517

https://electjordan.com/about/

"Jordan earned his degree from Calvin College and moved to Washington, D.C. to begin a career taking on the establishment and battling corruption. He served as Vice President of End Citizens United (ECU)–an organization dedicated to getting big money out of politics. At ECU, Jordan took on special interest groups and stood up to leaders and candidates, including in his own party. Jordan spearheaded the No Corporate PAC Pledge, a national effort to get members of Congress and candidates to disavow corporate PAC money as campaign contributions. Because of that work, today, 20% of Democrats in Congress refuse corporate PAC donations — up from just 1% when Jordan started.

"Jordan went on to serve as Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Katie Porter, known for taking on powerful Wall Street banks and powerful financial interests. He was on Capitol Hill, barricaded in the office with the Congresswoman, on January 6. He saw first-hand the crisis facing our democracy and understands the dangerous threat posed by far-right political extremists aligned with Donald Trump. He went on to co-found and lead democracyFIRST, a cross-partisan pro-democracy organization dedicated to combating growing threats to the free and fair administration and certification of our elections.

Jordan and his husband, Jake, moved home to Maine and settled in Bristol, where today, they are raising their daughter, Ella.

At a time when Washington needs leaders who are willing to take on bullies, stop corruption, and protect our democracy, Jordan Wood will be a Senator who stands up for Maine families like his–and yours..."



dsc

(53,215 posts)
70. He seems like a good possibility
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 10:41 PM
Saturday

I am not sold on Mills, her filibuster position is close to a deal breaker for me to be honest. But a man who sported a NAZI tattoo for years and posted comments that will be beyond problematic in a general election race, isn't a good alternative. Jordan's position on the filibuster is the right one. I don't know if his being gay would be a problem in ME or not but I suspect it wouldn't be. He seems like a good alternative if he can gain traction.

cliffside

(1,454 posts)
75. That was my thought as well, plus he wants to limit money in politics ...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 10:54 PM
Saturday

which, as we know, is a Major reason we are where we are today. My thinking is we need to look beyond Platner, considering all that has been revealed, and see who else might be a candidate.

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
9. OP is 100% correct. If Platner wins simply because he's younger, we will have embarrassed ourselves...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:09 PM
Saturday

Ageism is a form of hate. Period. Mills is more than qualified to do the job. She's up against a man with a Nazi tattoo on his body who has expressed evil views towards women and the gay community. The choice is clear. If Platner wins, it'll be a slap across the face of seniors everywhere.

jaymac

(70 posts)
36. sorry peace wave
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:44 PM
Saturday

it's not a slap, Mills is too deep into corporate dem territory. she has said she's be a one term senator...big deal, I don't for one minute believe that!

thought crime

(910 posts)
74. If Susan Collins wins, we will have embarrassed ourselves.
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 10:48 PM
Saturday

Last edited Sun Oct 26, 2025, 01:31 AM - Edit history (1)

I think ageism is bad in the normal workplace and as a programmer I probably experienced it to some extent. But politics is a little different. We are betting on voters' perceptions and after Biden's debate debacle and the sad spectacle of Diane Feinstein's last days in the Senate, many voters have some legitimate concern about a "gerontocracy", and want a younger generation to be more represented. Is ageism a form of hate? I don't really know. But I do know I hate being old.

2naSalit

(98,378 posts)
10. I've been...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:09 PM
Saturday

Driving around the central part of the state quite a bit and I see more of his campaign signs than I expected to but he's the only one with yard signs so far. I saw a lot of "RESIST!" signs too, especially down by the shore. I went to Bar Harbor yesterday just so see how long it would take and to touch the ocean, it's been a while.Last time I touched the Atlantic was back in the late '90s and I was on Cape Cod that time.

I wonder how this will shake out with ranked choice and all. It's early..?

Can't register until I have my new ID and an appointment takes a while but I'm working through the process, I don't want to miss this.

markodochartaigh

(4,493 posts)
14. In US politics
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:25 PM
Saturday

division not only works, it is one of the old standards of political campaigns.

If a politician or political party can campaign on division they can avoid talking about actual issues.

And in today's society, which is changing more rapidly than ever, age is one of the most effective ways to divide the population.

Renew Deal

(84,551 posts)
15. The only thing obvious is that the establishment hasn't learned anything from 2016 and 2024
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:30 PM
Saturday

mcar

(45,424 posts)
88. The only thing obvious is that "progressives" haven't learned anything
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 04:06 AM
23 hrs ago

between 2016 and 2024. There, fixed it.

IronLionZion

(50,166 posts)
28. Are they polling just Dems or anyone?
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:21 PM
Saturday

A lot can happen between now and June 9, 2026. Other candidates could join the race or drop out. Maine has ranked choice voting for both the primary and general election.

Wiz Imp

(7,804 posts)
33. It appears for the Democratic Primary they polled Registered Democrats, Green Party
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:37 PM
Saturday

and no party (independents). They did not poll registered Republicans, but some of the poll respondents did identify as Republicans. Those people chose Platner by a much larger margin than Democrats did (but his lead amongt Democrats was still very large).

Platner had a 60% favorable rating in this poll to just 8% unfavorable (amongst self identified likely Democratic Primary Voters). You can be sure those numbers will change significantly by the next poll.

Wiz Imp

(7,804 posts)
30. There are currently 6 candidates running.
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:22 PM
Saturday

3 others had declared but have since dropped out. There are at least 4 others who may join the race:

Declared
Natasha Alcala: fashion designer
David Costello: former deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment, and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024
Tucker Favreau: cybersecurity professional
Janet Mills: governor of Maine (2019–present)
Graham Platner: Sullivan harbor master
Jordan Wood: former chief of staff to U.S. Representative Katie Porter

Withdrawn
David Evans: former Department of Defense policy writer (endorsed Wood)
Dan Kleban: brewery owner (endorsed Mills)
Daira Smith-Rodriguez: former civilian contracting officer for the U.S. Air Force (endorsed Mills)

Filed paperwork
Andrea LaFlamme: adjunct professor at the University of Maine

Publicly expressed interest
Cathy Breen: former state senator from the 25th district (2014–2022)
Ryan Fecteau: speaker of the Maine House of Representatives (2020–2022, 2024–present)

Potential
Aaron Frey: Maine attorney general (2019–present)

Complete results of Poll released Thursday can be found here: https://scholars.unh.edu/survey_center_polls/897/

betsuni

(28,496 posts)
38. Same made up Status Quo Establishment vs Progressive war to divide Democrats. Myth that old means conservative,
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:46 PM
Saturday

centrist, terrified of change, diabolically clinging to power, no concern about climate change and the future because they won't be here, wealthy and oblivious. Combine that with myth Democrats are corrupt. Erase an entire life and career of liberal public service. Kill the workhorses.

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
40. Yup. Not to mention a convenient disregard for Bernie being all of 84.
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 04:51 PM
Saturday

You'd think these folks calling for anyone over the age of 60 to be disqualified from office would take issue with Bernie literally being born before the U.S. entered World War 2. But, nope. Crickets on that score. It's all very arbitrary and, quite frankly, discriminatory.

betsuni

(28,496 posts)
47. Oh, that's consistency and authenticity. Totally different.
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:15 PM
Saturday

And being in Congress for decades doesn't make one part of the establishment. Somehow.

Akakoji

(424 posts)
43. I'm solidly behind Platner
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:03 PM
Saturday

He will win. It's your opinion that she's the obvious choice to you. Not to every Mainer I've spoken with.

nini

(16,810 posts)
59. The party is fucked when Nazi views are excused
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 06:15 PM
Saturday

This may be what makes me give up on it.

This isn't even up for debate in my opinion

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
61. I can't say it'll make me give up. But, it certainly makes me suspicious as to the agenda of certain people.
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 06:42 PM
Saturday

sheshe2

(94,536 posts)
79. Have you even researched his Reddit anti gay slurs?
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 12:17 AM
Yesterday

If not, you should. He is not seeking a job at Target; he wants to become a United States Senator in the State of Maine.

Easterncedar

(5,121 posts)
44. It's not all ageism
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:04 PM
Saturday

She has been a strong and decent governor, but Mills is very much a pragmatic centrist, not a progressive. She did have that “see you in court” moment, but she wasn’t trying to position herself as a leader of opposition, and did not intend to be seen as defending trans students. That role got thrust upon her.

She has very strong entrenched negatives. She is not universally admired. I wish I believed she could beat Collins. Maybe I am wrong and the blowback from the current horror show in DC will be enough to defeat Collins and sweep Mills in, but I would love to be able to support a genuine progressive.

Samael13

(62 posts)
50. I'm not gonna get into the ageism debate
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:22 PM
Saturday

I get the dude said some shitty things and has that tattoo but has he changed from who he was when those things took place. Should he never be allowed that opportunity to show hes not the same person that did those things. If not then we will end up alienating alot of people .

WhiskeyGrinder

(25,899 posts)
55. "Should he never be allowed that opportunity to show hes not the same person that did those things."
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:37 PM
Saturday

Not during a senate run, no.

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
56. Platner had more than 1,800 posts on Reddit between 2009 and 2021. He posted under the handle P-Hustle...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:45 PM
Saturday

Many of the posts were vile in nature. These are just the posts we're aware of. He alienated himself from consideration for political office.

oldmanlynn

(743 posts)
52. I don't care as long as a Democrat wins
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:33 PM
Saturday

We can’t keep talking about who farted or who burped in the Democratic Party and not vote for them. You gotta go with the person who looks like they can win.

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
54. We're talking about a primary here. We have a right to reject anyone who dabbles in Nazi symbols and hate speech...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:35 PM
Saturday

Aside from the fact that such a person would pose a tremendous liability come the general election is the fact that rejecting hate is the moral thing to do.

marcopolo63

(83 posts)
58. Platner is a warrior!
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 06:09 PM
Saturday

He’s not perfect and the fact that he has made mistakes, even bad ones like these are things a modern soldier and jarhead might do! Everyone on this platform that hasn’t served, and has never made any mistakes of bigoted speech or sketchy behaviors of their own has no idea what it is to serve, especially in combat.

Platner is a decent person and has lived a good life, perhaps not as good a life as many of his detractors on this site have lead, but for the warrior that he is - a good, productive and community-oriented life.

Platner is a great candidate and I believe is THE BEST candidate to defeat Susan Collins in 2026!! Platner has my vote and my wife’s vote and Gov. Mills age has nothing to do with our choice to support him and his campaign.

EdmondDantes_

(1,047 posts)
60. Perhaps given that information he knew the origins of his tattoo is coming out you will rethink that
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 06:38 PM
Saturday
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/sure-sounds-graham-platner-knew-202926723.html?guccounter=1

I could have believed he didn't know the origins, but between him being a military history buff and allegedly describing it by the German name, I'm not willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

WhiskeyGrinder

(25,899 posts)
65. .
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 09:46 PM
Saturday
He’s not perfect and the fact that he has made mistakes, even bad ones like these are things a modern soldier and jarhead might do!
There are plenty of soldiers -- even Marines -- who serve, get drunk, raise hell, and simply do not get nazi tattoos about it. Why not run them?

Everyone on this platform that hasn’t served, and has never made any mistakes of bigoted speech or sketchy behaviors of their own has no idea what it is to serve, especially in combat.
A person doesn't have to serve in combat to know that getting a nazi tattoo, working for Blackwater and talking shit about minorities are fucked up moves and show a huge lack of discernment and common sense, over a long period of time.

Platner is a decent person and has lived a good life, perhaps not as good a life as many of his detractors on this site have lead, but for the warrior that he is - a good, productive and community-oriented life.
Could be! His sense of judgment is also for shit though! Not a great look for a senator!

marcopolo63

(83 posts)
92. Why not run them?
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 06:50 AM
20 hrs ago

Last edited Sun Oct 26, 2025, 08:43 AM - Edit history (1)

Who’s running who? Platner is stepping up to run, warts and all, and is willing to take the hits like the warrior he is. I don’t see any other warriors running, just politicians. This election I’m going with the warrior and not the life-long political veteran (Mills) or the SuperPac millionaire (Wood), or the other lesser known candidates.

The Dems need some Jack Reachers to run for higher office everywhere and not just purist Boy or Girl Scouts who toe the party line, are incrementalists and serve to perpetuate the corporate status quo. Platner has the energy, integrity, and strength of character to win and I think win big! His imperfections may be a glitch but are not a fatal defect as I see it.

In this race to decide who faces off against Sue Collins - in the primary I’m betting on Platner! I had my doubts originally and am trusting his words and actions now, versus perseverating on the mistakes he’s made over time, some that I consider abhorrent (as he does) and dumb, but that are IMHO not unforgivable because of the person he has become and is striving to be.

WhiskeyGrinder

(25,899 posts)
102. "integrity and strength of character" yeah that's definitely what I think of when a guy suddenly demands that his
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 11:53 AM
15 hrs ago

campaign staff sign NDAs

marcopolo63

(83 posts)
103. Demand?
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 12:57 PM
14 hrs ago

Not all NDAs are bad, and it matters what is covered in the agreement. I haven’t seen the language in the Platner campaign’s recent NDAs, but read they were issued as requests to his paid staff - who could refuse to sign. In the cut throat world of political campaigning - I get it that he doesn’t want to be cut down by his own staff if it can avoided! The Dem establishment apparatchiks are good at what they do, but if they turn coat - I think a NDA is at least a little protection perhaps from a dissenter! This too is not a deal breaker for me!

It’s not as if he

PeaceWave

(2,255 posts)
62. It really takes some nerve to be younger, healthier, better looking, etc. AND want older folks to just disappear...
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 07:05 PM
Saturday

Youth brings with it so many advantages. There is absolutely no need to treat folks in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s as something lesser or - even worse - something to be afraid of. "Oh, but they might die or get dementia." How many times have we heard that one? Life is a process. It takes a while for you to get up to speed and it takes a while for you to slow down. Just because you've got more days behind you than you've got ahead of you doesn't mean that you're done. Seriously. This nonsense - which appears to be unique to our Party - needs to stop. It's extremely off putting. If you don't like older people, if you can't sympathize with them, if your agenda is to shove them aside, then how in the hell do you expect them to trust you with matters relevant to them - things like Social Security and Medicare? If we don't put a stop to this, we're essentially rolling out the red carpet to the other party to absorb an entire demographic group.

betsuni

(28,496 posts)
80. Hysterics over OMG what if they die or get sick! Like when you're little and think about what if you were an orphan,
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 12:33 AM
Yesterday

your mom dies, your whole life would change. Who would take care of you? Who would love you?

No no no, it's like when your kittycat dies and you go out and get another kittycat. There will always be another kittycat.

Also, the paranoia that the old guard is out to get them makes all the talk about being fighters and standing up to things seem pretty silly.

Iggo

(49,329 posts)
117. Then they can replace her with someone who's alive.
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 07:44 PM
7 hrs ago

I really don’t see the problem here.

Jack Valentino

(3,738 posts)
72. I think it has more to do with the fact that she only just entered the race, while
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 10:44 PM
Saturday

Platner has been running hard for three months, and seemed to have caught fire
with Democratic voters in Maine---

and lot of those Democratic voters in Maine still haven't heard about the negative Platner stuff,
which only started coming out in the past few days, when these polls were already being taken....

However, 30-some percentage points is a hell of a lead for him to have
over a statewide vote winner, at this stage of the game...

I'm not any "ageism bigot", I vehemently supported President Biden
for renomination despite his age and possibly age-related flukes---
but there is a legitimate concern with her age that Mills might not survive
that one term in the Senate.... We've already had a lot of Democratic House members
die in office over the past few years from old age, often leaving their seats empty for extended periods....

There is likewise a legitimate concern over Platner's past,
and my initial enthusiasm for him has cooled over the past few day's revelations...

I myself had hoped that Gov. Mills could be persuaded to run for this Senate seat,
before Platner entered the race and seemed to catch fire!

Now I think it ought to be left up to the Democratic primary voters in MAINE,
which I am not one and suspect are few and far between on this forum....
and I think that 'outsiders' from Maine on this forum,
ought NOT to be attacking ANY of the DEMOCRATIC Senate candidates in Maine....

From the huge polling lead he seems to have established, it seems to me
that he may not be denied the nomination in the end, without a relentless negative campaign
against him, which would SPLIT the Democratic primary voters in Maine, and result in
another Senate term for 'concerned Susan Collins' !



sheshe2

(94,536 posts)
93. Thank you, LMPV!
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 09:30 AM
17 hrs ago

This makes me smile. A new poll AFTER she entered the race a week ago shows her in the lead. What a difference a poll can make!

themaguffin

(4,789 posts)
100. In this case, at least with those 2, Mills seems like an easy choice. Let Platner prove himself on a smaller role first
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 11:24 AM
16 hrs ago

that is if he's fit at all given what he said and the fucking tattoo.

RandomNumbers

(18,964 posts)
101. Maine has Ranked Choice Voting
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 11:25 AM
16 hrs ago

should be very interesting. Given there are several candidates, it is unlikely that anyone will win an outright majority in the first round. Mills may not be first choice for the majority, but she probably will do very well in subsequent rounds.

https://www.maine.gov/sos/sites/maine.gov.sos/files/content/assets/rcv-faq.pdf

Wiz Imp

(7,804 posts)
114. People are ignoring the one poll of the general election so far.
Sun Oct 26, 2025, 07:11 PM
8 hrs ago

It was a poll done by Zenith Research from October 7 thru 10 (so before all the negative info on Platner came out). It showed Mills with a 5% lead over Collins, while Platner was only tied.

https://perfectunion.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/More-Perfect-Union_-Maine-Senate-General-Election-Benchmark-Poll.pdf

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