Graham Platner: We should shut down Big Pharma, not our hospitals.

[demmiblue]

Our new ad speaks to one of the most urgent issues I hear on the campaign trail: our healthcare system is collapsing.

Hospitals are closing. Maternity wards are disappearing. People wait a year just to see a primary care doctor.

We should shut down Big Pharma, not our hospitals.

— Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine.bsky.social) 2026-03-24T19:25:03.478Z

Graham Platner has an ad tying Maine hospitals closing to "Big Pharma." As a person who follows health policy closely, I have no clue why and how he thinks Big Pharma is related to hospitals closing. No one with health policy expertise would say that's the cause of hospital closures. 1/ #mepolitics

— Amy Fried (@asfried.bsky.social) 2026-03-25T12:09:23.704Z

Moreover, I have no idea what specific policies relating to pharmaceutical costs Platner backs or how and why he thinks they'd stop hospitals from closing. As a person who cares about providing health care for Mainers (+), it's quite troubling how badly framed and ignorant the ad is. #mepolitics

— Amy Fried (@asfried.bsky.social) 2026-03-25T12:09:23.705Z

One key thing to help rural hospitals would be to reverse Medicaid reimbursement rate cuts. The Big Beautiful Bill made it worse. Collins brags about a small grant program for rural hospitals but it's totally inadequate. #mepolitics Backgrounder: kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

— Amy Fried (@asfried.bsky.social) 2026-03-25T12:27:42.057Z

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. This ad sounds one sip of raw milk away from going full RFK Jr

[yardwork]

4. Worse than Fetterman.

Just dumb.

[rogue emissary]

117. "You never go full RFK Jr!"

[rampartd]

2. "big pharma" needs to be regulated

but opening a hospital without the antibiotics and chemo drugs seems pointless.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. So he wants to put

112,000 people in NJ out of work?

Because that's what they will hear when this starts making the rounds. There are only 1.4 Million people in Maine. 8% of the population of the state.

So I'm game. Their top two industries are transportation equipment and lumber and wood products. Shut down lumber and wood and we have a deal.

[sheshe2]

8. I just read all the comments on bsky.

He is being taken to the cleaners over there.

[JustAnotherGen]

131. Good

This is not the year to pop off at the mouth.

[sheshe2]

132. agreed.

[betsuni]

10. Lose their jobs, but it's totally the mean old Democratic Party "ignoring the working class."

All the whining about the Obama administration bailing out the auto industry during the Great Recession and whose jobs were saved? Lots of those white working class men in swing states that Democrats supposedly "turned their backs on."

[everyonematters]

5. This seems like nit picking to me.

Everyone knows that the cost pharmaceuticals is a big problem. The hospitals have to pass that cost on to the patients. When he says shut down big pharma, it's obvious he does not mean it literally.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

6. Cost of pharmaceuticals has nothing to do with whether hospitals stay open or not. It's simply a populist word salad.

When he says shut down big pharma, it's obvious he does not mean it literally.

So what does he mean?

[everyonematters]

83. Politicians do it all the time. You going to put out a post every time someone does it.

His point was that pharmacal costs are too high.

[Ilikepurple]

91. I agree. I'm no fan of deceptive, reductive, or meaningless sloganeering

They hate big pharma and like hospitals? I know what will get their attention. Complain about high price of cereal but live in food desert.? Let’s shut down big cereal not our grocery stores?
I have some awareness of Platner’s problems past but am also not a Mills fan , but even if I didn’t know anything about the race, this statement would make me think he might be unqualified both as a problem solver and communicator. As a voting body, we sure like former military, traditionally masculine, seemingly unqualified white guys. It’s as if we think we can just punch social inequalities in the face. I partially blame popular fictional narratives. It hits me like Jack Reacher fantasy when I see the enthusiasm after hearing him speak.

[2naSalit]

95. He means that...

He's really out of his league and not willing to educate himself about the topics he talks about.

It's the insurance industry that should be addressed along with for profit healthcare.

For starters, that is. I think Platner will do himself in before the primaries.

[Ziggy Beans]

9. Amazing to see

...and also very sad. There is a lot of "hatred" for him that makes zero sense

[WhiskeyGrinder]

11. Heartbreaking that people refuse to support someone who's a walking red flag, indeed.

[Ziggy Beans]

12. How is he a "walking red flag"?

Is there something he did or said that should concern me? I have watched everything he has said since his campaign started and haven't seen anything yet.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

13. .

[Ziggy Beans]

15. Great argument

I will make sure to never engage with you again

[demmiblue]

22. Lol

[Ziggy Beans]

24. Is this how people act here?

Like 12 year olds?

I was expecting more discussion and dialogue. I guess not.

[demmiblue]

26. ...

[obamanut2012]

42. .....

[sheshe2]

122. Sometimes.

It is a great stress reliever.

[yardwork]

18. The Nazi tattoo he bragged about doesn't concern you?

Not even a little bit?

[Ziggy Beans]

32. Not one bit

What bothers me is someone who supports Israel and the genocide in Gaza (Mills and Collins) over someone who opposes it (Platner)

What bothers me is someone who would veto a wealth tax (Mills) over someone who supports it (Platner)

What bothers me is someone not committing to vetoing the filibuster (Mills) over someone who supports it (Platner)

What bothers me is Mills not committing to strong federal support of abortion over someone who supports it (Platner)

What bothers me is Mills only moderately supporting union and labor over someone strongly backs unions (Platner)

[yardwork]

44. Please cite evidence for these positions by Mills.

You've already been asked to prove that Mills is taking money from AIPAC. I'd like to see evidence for these other accusations against her.

[EdmondDantes_]

79. A nazi tattoo doesn't bother you one bit?

That's quite the position to take especially considering he went on an antisemetic YouTube show saying he's a big fan suggesting that maybe the tattoo wasn't an innocent mistake.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/platner-sat-lengthy-interview-antisemitic-075439570.html

[EdmondDantes_]

43. Did you miss the needing to have a nazi tattoo removed?

Up until at least 2021 he was still using gay as a slur.

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/10/democrat-regrets-use-of-anti-gay-slurs-online-its-indefensible/

Women need to take responsibility to not be raped.

https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/03/17/mills-spotlights-platners-controversial-past-remarks-in-first-negative-ad/

[yardwork]

47. If Platner is homophobic that might explain his feelings about Big Pharma.

Pharmaceutical companies developed and marketed treatments for HIV. Homophobic bigots didn't like that. They think AIDS is a judgment by God against gay people. They don't believe that people with HIV deserve care or treatment. This is still a surprisingly pervasive believe among many so-called Christians.

Does Platner believe that?

[Ziggy Beans]

85. He was wrong to say them

And he agrees with that. I listen to him speak and I believe that he regrets making those comments, but that's only part of the story. The following link gives the rest of it.
https://jacobin.com/2025/10/platner-maine-senate-reddit-media

[questionseverything]

14. I disagree, I think the AIPAC candidate is the "walking red flag "

Because she supports Israel’s never ending aggression

[WhiskeyGrinder]

16. yeah I don't think anyone here is arguing for voting for Collins

[questionseverything]

20. Both Collins and mills are supported by AIPAC

[Ziggy Beans]

23. Don't bother

They prefer the centrist who will probably lose to Collins over the progressive candidate that will likely win

[yardwork]

28. In what ways is Platner progressive?

[Ziggy Beans]

46. Here's a quick list

Supports Medicare for All
Constantly talks about the "billionaire economy" and how it is destroying America
Supports wealth tax on the rich
Supports labor unions
Supports abolishing the filibuster
Supports ending gerrymandering
Wants to end lifetime Supreme Court appointments
Believes Israel's attack on Gaza is a genocide
Opposes overseas "forever" wars
Advocates for housing affordability
Supports federal LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination legislation
Opposes mass deportations and supports pathway to citizenship

Read the following if you're curious to see the real truth about Platner and what others have tried to use against him
https://jacobin.com/2025/10/platner-maine-senate-reddit-media

[yardwork]

49. Lots of people want these things.

The trick is getting legislation passed. Nazi tattoos, homophobic comments, and "accidental" word salad don't inspire confidence.

I vote for candidates who show the ability to get things done. Otherwise it's just fantasies.

[Ziggy Beans]

57. You should read the following

https://jacobin.com/2025/10/platner-maine-senate-reddit-media

And watch this from just the other day

I prefer to not base my opinions on what people said when they were young, but on what they believe now

[JHB]

110. You've posted this video several times in this thread

Since you think it's very relevant to this discussion, may I suggest you provide a brief summary and even give some time stamps for especially relevant portions.

It's a 15 minute video, and enough videos are posted where they only get to the point near the end, so people have begun skipping them as a waste of time unless the poster helps provide better focus.

[mcar]

124. That would be helpful. nt

[EX500rider]

106. Don't forget "worked for Blackwater"

[mcar]

123. OK, I didn't know that

But he's says he for Medicare for All...

[mcar]

72. Talk is cheap, I hear that here all the time

Anyone can come along and spout Progressive talking points. Why are you ignoring his rape apologia, homophobia, and misogyny?

[mr715]

125. Respectfully, thats a lot of words.

He has no record nor any particular accomplishments.

I think he is problematic and his political instincts are raw. He has fire in his belly and has the support of many supremely vocal progressive-left politicians and media people.

I, like others on this thread, do see a bunch of red flags with him. However, at the same time, I see him as a stronger candidate against Susan Collins (specifically) and don't particularly question him at his word on his policy posture.

So, I guess I don't trust him because he doesn't have a record. He clearly has ambition, but I'd be more comfortable had he set his sights a little lower and won a Congressional seat.

But what do I know? I just want to win that seat.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

29. Not seeing anything on FEC or open secrets that Mills accepted AIPAC money. Cite?

[questionseverything]

81. Well if she hasn't had AIPAC help and support she should come out, make a statement denouncing them!

I will not be holding my breath

[WhiskeyGrinder]

82. oh I figured when you said AIPAC had supported her you had some evidence or something

[Ziggy Beans]

21. Interesting

Somehow that never gets mentioned by the Platner "haters"

[sarisataka]

33. So being supported by AIPAC is a deal breaker

But we can accept a candidate who is anti-gay, anti-woman, anti-semitic and "unknowingly" sported a Nazi tattoo for years?

[yardwork]

39. Actually, Platner bragged about his Nazi tattoo for years.

He knew exactly what it was.

[Ziggy Beans]

48. Where are you getting that he is those things?

https://jacobin.com/2025/10/platner-maine-senate-reddit-media

[sarisataka]

66. I am on my phone so can't cite everything right now

But you can peruse this thread from yesterday
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=21120456

[Ziggy Beans]

77. I did read it and following nothing there that would concern me

Other than it's disappointing to see Democrats desperately try to throw away someone that would be a strong fighter for policies we wall want, and who likely win against Collins

I hope you watch the following video. It's good if you really have an open mind. It was from this week, not 14 years ago when he said a few stupid things that he now regrets

[Cha]

98. We Dems Want to Win the Senate in Maine...

and saying We're "Desperate". Isn't helping your cause.

[sheshe2]

105. IKR?!

Jeez!

[Cha]

109. The Same with calling us " Planter haters"...

Just because we don't like his insulting Gays and Women being raped in the Military.

“just take some responsibility for themselves” to avoid attacks and “act like an adult for f–cks sake.” He said people should avoid alcohol so they don’t end up in a “compromising situation” and downplayed the challenges service members face in reporting sexual assault."

Self explanatory why ".. he covered the tattoo Before he Launched his campaign.."

..he uses being "drunk" as an Excuse for the Tattoo But Tells Female Services Members they shouldn't drink or they could end up in a compromising situation."

[WhiskeyGrinder]

111. I do have to say that calling me a "centrist" is one of the funnier insults I've ever gotten on this board, and I'm sure

it would come as a surprise to many that that's how I come across in my objection to Platner, lol.

[Cha]

115. Yeah, thoughtlessly throwing the word "centrist" around is

suppose to be an insult, and obviously Not knowing a thing about the targets.

One of the many insult buzz words that has lost its meaning.. like "establishment".

[sheshe2]

112. Bingo.

..he uses being "drunk" as an Excuse for the Tattoo But Tells Female Services Members they shouldn't drink or they could end up in a compromising situation."

You nailed it right here.

[Cha]

119. Yeah, What's that called..? The Height of

Hypocrisy.

TY, she.

[mcar]

126. White male entitlement. nt

[yardwork]

54. Maybe being anti-gay, anti-woman, and anti-Semitic is the appeal?

[questionseverything]

59. You are accusing platner of a lot of things I haven't seen any proof of

But about that tat,

I printed out a picture of it ( the shirtless wedding photo), and asked my grown kids what they thought it was

They said if they had to guess it was darth vadar

[yardwork]

63. Graham Platner himself identified it as his Nazi tattoo.

[sarisataka]

78. You can look here

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=21120456
For his homophobic posts and gay slurs

I suppose you could show someone a swastika and someone might say it looks like a pinwheel spinning...
But it is still a swastika

[questionseverything]

84. Ww2 ended over 80 years ago, people my age (67) barely remember our parents talking about it

At 50 and below it’s not even a blimp on their radar

I am sorry, I am sure it hurts but the world keeps on turning

[WhiskeyGrinder]

88. One of the most popular gif memes has a totenkopf front and center.

[yardwork]

89. The suggestion that young people don't know about WWII is.... laughable.

And as for older people not caring about WWII - well, turn on the History channel or Netflix. It's the war that never ends...

[WhiskeyGrinder]

90. Right? This thread is really something else.

[yardwork]

93. I'm going to go do laundry or something.

It's a nice day. Maybe I'll go outside.

[questionseverything]

121. I didn't say they don't "know " about it,

But if you think it’s at the top of their discussion list? They have there own wars to worry about, including the current one Israel and the USA are starting

[sarisataka]

97. Ot is one of the stangest excuses for Nazi symbols

I have seen. 'They're old'

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, I've seen people say they are tired of the Holocaust and Jews need to "get over it"

[WhiskeyGrinder]

99. It's horrifying and hilarious at the same time. It really does just go to show how fascism creeps in.

[sarisataka]

92. Ww2 ended over 80 years ago

I will defer to Rod Serling:

There is an answer to the doctor's question. All the Dachaus must remain standing. The Dachaus, the Belsens, the Buchenwalds, the Auschwitzes; all of them. They must remain standing because they are a monument to a moment in time when some men decided to turn the Earth into a graveyard. Into it they shoveled all of their reason, their logic, their knowledge, but worst of all, their conscience. And the moment we forget this, the moment we cease to be haunted by its remembrance, then we become the gravediggers. Something to dwell on and to remember, not only in the Twilight Zone but wherever men walk God's Earth.

Death's Head Revisited

[sheshe2]

103. I hear what you are saying and Platner aside...

We have a regime in charge now with Miller seemingly calling the shots and you know the saying History repeats itself. This admin is rounding up people, disappearing them, they are building concentration camps. Hell, Greg Bovino even dressed like a Nazi during those roundups. Perhaps it is time to dust off all those history books.

Just saying.

...........................

[questionseverything]

118. Israel is currently bombing the heck out of huge chunks of the Middle East

They are the aggressors now

With steven miller’s blessing

[MichMan]

120. There are sure a lot of references to Nazi's and Gestapo being used against ICE for something no one barely remembers

[WhiskeyGrinder]

86. Not recognizing a Totenkopf doesn't mean it isn't one. Platner acknowledged that's what it was.

[EX500rider]

107. .....and worked as a merc for Blackwater also!

[mcar]

70. Yeah, the Nazi rape apologist is just swell

[yardwork]

17. Welcome to DU.

I'm sorry you're sad. "Big Pharma" is not the reason for rural hospital closures.

[Torchlight]

30. You've not then looked into his problematic background and behavior?

It may be eye opening if you choose to...

[Ziggy Beans]

34. Are you talking about his Reddit posts?

https://jacobin.com/2025/10/platner-maine-senate-reddit-media

[Torchlight]

41. I reference the totality of his behavior

worth looking into...

[Ziggy Beans]

50. I did and found nothing but a great candidate for the Democrats

[Torchlight]

56. Maybe dig deeper or be objective

(and let's not pretend valid criticisms of the guy are 'hatred'... that's a meritless assertion illustrating little else but bias)

[Ziggy Beans]

62. Did you watch the video I posted?

It's over 14 minutes long.

And I did dig deeper. Here is what I found.
https://jacobin.com/2025/10/platner-maine-senate-reddit-media

[Torchlight]

67. Sounds serious

Good luck

[mcar]

64. Thinking a guy with a Nazi tattoo, who has made

some truly awful statements about women, rape and more makes zero sense? Really?

[Ziggy Beans]

71. When did he make those comments?

And do you believe people can't change?

https://jacobin.com/2025/10/platner-maine-senate-reddit-media

[mcar]

75. He was still using "gay" as a slur a few years ago.

I believe he made his disgusting rape comments in 2018.

I do believe people can change. Saying you have isn't enough. He needs to prove it.

[Torchlight]

100. I think the more relevant question is "why did he make those comments?"

[mcar]

102. Correct

Who in their right mind would say such foul things? And we're supposed to swoon over him now because he said "sorry?"

[mr715]

129. Of course people can change

There is an open question of why they change, however.

Do they change because they grew and became wiser, or because they suddenly faced election (with concomitant oppo research).

Everyone is entitled to grew and become better than they once were, but that does not absolve them of their past choices. Not everyone gets to be a Senator. Not everyone should be entitled to power by virtue of... what exactly?

And, to be clear, this is what primaries are for. I am glad I don't live in Maine because I do see a lot of 'red flags' in Platner. How about drunken excess at weddings? Again - nothing wrong with that per se, but I don't want it in my Senators.

Ditto with Nazi tattoos, except there is something wrong with that.

Ditto with blaming the victim in re: rape. Which is did, and framed it in a bush league juvenile way that shows he is new to politics.

I appreciate your commitment to your candidate and I hope you are not let down by him. I am ambivalent.

[Boo1]

7. Shutdown Big Pharma!

Thats what we need.....mom and pop pharmaceuticals.

Leeches for everybody

[questionseverything]

19. In 2019 I had emergency surgery and needed 10 days of recovery in the hospital afterwards

I didn’t have insurance but the “ sisters of st Francis “ covered every medical bill I had for the next three years ( if it was their supplier)

But

I saw the first hospital bill for that first 10 days, right at $100,000. , but here’s the thing $50,000. Of that bill was for pharmaceutical.

All I had for meds were antibiotics, pain killers and laxatives, hard to believe there was fifty grand worth so I understand exactly what he is saying

[yardwork]

25. I think you might have misread your hospital bill.

First, $100,000 for ten days in the hospital - including emergency surgery - sounds a bit low (as unbelievable and disgraceful as that is). Second, if your meds really were just antibiotics, painkillers and laxatives, it's hard to believe they cost $50,000. For instance, I'm guessing that you must have had anesthesia during the surgery, and the cost of the anesthesiologist team would be high.

Hospital bills are weird. The hospital adds administrative and facilities costs to every item, which is why it looks like a bandaid costs $10,000.

There's no doubt that the U.S. health care system is a mess and we desperately need reforms - including universal healthcare for all. Blaming the whole mess on a mythical "Big pharma" is naive and silly, though.

[questionseverything]

38. I didn't " misread " anything

The hospital bill , which i saw was separate from the emergency room bill or the surgery bill

Or at least that is what the “ sisters of st Francis “ told me when they apologized for my stress at seeing the hospital bill

Btw in case I haven’t been clear,

The sisters of saint Francis are angels on earth

[yardwork]

58. Well, I'm happy that the Sisters covered the cost of your care.

[Boo1]

65. The hospital isnt chsring you wholesale on those

They markup the prices like 500% or more.

[questionseverything]

94. Duh... this mark up is what can be regulated, you just made platner's point

[RandySF]

27. So who would discover and manufacture medicine on a large scale?

He's not the sharpest tool in the shed.

[yardwork]

35. We don't need no stinking meds!

Grow your own remedies.

I think a lot of this hysteria against Big Pharma has to do with HIV meds. Some people don't like that.

[RandySF]

37. 'Big Pharma' saved my life.

[yardwork]

69. It has saved millions of lives.

[Boo1]

68. Kids with Chemistry sets

Obviously

[leftstreet]

31. Voters know what he means

I've heard more awkward soundbites than this one

[yardwork]

36. So what's his plan?

If he doesn't mean "shut down Big Pharma" what does he actually mean?

Because our healthcare system is a huge complicated mess and it's going to take strategy, courage, and intelligence to fix it. I'm not impressed by an RFK, Jr. look-like spewing word salad.

[leftstreet]

45. I have no idea

I only know from following his campaign and socials, he draws bigger and bigger crowds across Maine, with a huge percentage of older people. He speaks consistently about affordability, Us vs Them, etc

How that translates to a general election, anybody's guess

[yardwork]

52. The same was said of Trump.

Big crowds, talked a lot about affordability, Us vs Them. Word salad.

[leftstreet]

53. And he won!

[yardwork]

55. So let's do it again?

I don't understand supporting candidates like that.

[leftstreet]

73. Dems had 30yrs to rid us of Collins

ish

How their expensive consultants could analyze the current moment - Trump and the GOP at all time low approval, enthusiastic new candidates smelling blood in the water and running as Dems in every office across the land from Dog Catcher to Governor - and not get in front of a Platner-type in a significant Senate seat....


I'm glad I don't live in Maine

[mcar]

127. Wow!

[NNadir]

40. I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry for close to four decades, not...

...in big pharma, but often with big pharma.

Not every industry is morally pristine, but try to live in a world without the pharmaceutical industry. Shutting it will bring us back to the "good old days" when most people lived short miserable lives ravaged by disease.

This is pure RFK type bullshit.

In order to make drugs to save people's lives, a great deal of money must be spent on basic science, manufacturing, safety and efficacy. Extending the reach of treatments and their viability is not cheap.

I, by the way, like to be paid for what I do.

[musette_sf]

51. +1

[mcar]

60. I'm becoming more convinced he is a Republican plant

He's like a caricature of a progressive.

[yardwork]

74. He is a plant funded by the same people who defeated Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris.

The same people who funded marches shouting against Genocide Joe and Killer Kamala.

These billionaires want to make sure that Democrats don't retake the Senate.

Same accusations, same word salad, same fantasies, same tactics.

[mcar]

76. Bingo!

[Behind the Aegis]

101. You did see this...Protest Against Kamala Harris Held on Day of Book Tour Stop in Detroit (2/27/2026)

Ummm....WHO is the president again?! What position does Harris currently hold?!

[mcar]

104. Right?

It was never about legitimate protests; it was always about depressing the Democratic vote.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

113. That massive crowd

looks like they could be persuaded to hold a sign for half an hour in exchange for a Big Mac and fries.

[mr715]

130. He isn't a plant, he just isn't a deep thinker.

He is playing populist bingo.

Guess what, though? In an 'anger and change' election he might due better than his primary or potential general election opponent.

I don't get Manchin or Fetterman vibes from him. I get Feingold vibes. We'll see.

[RandySF]

80. Graham Platner is unfit for the U.S. Senate.

[MineralMan]

87. Sounds good, right? However, there are more people alive today due to

medications that were not available all that long ago, than you can can count. It's not so simple, really.

Maybe the answer lies somewhere else - somewhere less sweeping and all-inclusive. Maybe some more thought needs to be applied to this.

[QueerDuck]

108. This is ignorant and dangerous.

[Bettie]

114. For Profit health care

is immoral.

I said what I said, no one should have to go bankrupt or die because of the cost of health care.


No one should be denied the ability to stay alive due to the cost of health care.

[mvd]

116. This!

I agree so much. Although destroying big pharma may not be possible right now, we do need to do something about the prices that are so out of reach for many. And the ads are everywhere.

[mcar]

128. Agree with this completely

Maybe Platner should do some research and come up with a plan to take care of that.

[TBF]

133. In Texas voters made the decision to go with the moderate

candidate against the experienced Senator (who still has to win his run-off). In Maine it seems the smart money would similarly be on the governor Janet Mills. We'll see how it all plays out in both races. All I know is we've got to get out there and resist. And we need to vote as many dems in Congress as we can right now. Signs are good, Mar a lago went dem (!), we need to keep up the pace and not give in to in-fighting.

The alternative is Christian Nationalism, and it will carry on long after the orange one is gone, if we don't stop it now.