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Bluetus

(1,733 posts)
97. What choices have they really had?
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 10:13 PM
Friday

And I ask that without prejudice because I don't follow Maine politics closely. But the places I do follow, I see BOTH parties backing candidates that represent the status quo the old guard of either party really likes. By the time we get to primaries, anybody who might have threatened the status quo has been beaten down and denied the resources necessary to compete.

And what we are seeing here with Plattner (and certainly with Mamdani in NYC) looks like a party doing its very best to beat down the voices that could lead to real change because the party bigwigs don't want that kind of change. It is the same thing we saw when Hogg was run out of town.

I find it remarkable that Plattner got this far (maybe that shouldn't be surprising in Maine). But even more surprising that as he is being attacked (probably more from within the Party than without), he is maintaining a big lead over the establishment choice. Of course it is very early, but I think we should be asking questions WHO is organizing this attempted beatdown of Plattner and why are they so afraid of him? We saw exactly that same cycle in NYC.

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2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I was interested in seeing Platner over the course of the primary Blue_Adept Wednesday #1
I think Platner has major emotional stability issues. lostincalifornia Wednesday #4
I'm just baffled at people seemingly okay with normalizing nazi tattoos Blue_Adept Wednesday #6
No one is doing that leftstreet Wednesday #7
It should also be disqualifying Shrek Wednesday #9
To me, there's an element of plausible deniability on the tattoo EdmondDantes_ Wednesday #20
He minimized sexual assault and suggested Black people were penurious DemocratSinceBirth Wednesday #22
Yep. He's got a lot that's problematic EdmondDantes_ Wednesday #26
He has a lot of issues. DemocratSinceBirth Wednesday #33
I don't see any difference between JustAnotherGen Wednesday #41
It lets us know who our allies are Keepthesoulalive Saturday #110
I also have not seen it in ANY resolution, and I get the feeling that ... Bluetus Wednesday #66
What has he done Keepthesoulalive Saturday #109
We should be demanding real plans and real goals from EVERY candidate Bluetus Saturday #111
I asked Keepthesoulalive Saturday #112
It is a fair question of any candidate Bluetus 19 hrs ago #113
Please tell me Keepthesoulalive 19 hrs ago #114
If you are looking for school board, county party chair, dogcatcher Bluetus 16 hrs ago #117
I am not concerned about age Keepthesoulalive 15 hrs ago #126
It is not a binary choice Bluetus 10 hrs ago #147
I understand racism is not important to some people Keepthesoulalive 10 hrs ago #150
"I can excuse the reddit posts" Blue_Adept Wednesday #10
Well, the party will miss you leftstreet Wednesday #12
Yes, they are obamanut2012 Wednesday #34
Meh leftstreet Wednesday #38
He is actively choosing to keep the tattoo. iemanja Wednesday #53
Since when ??? I heard he stated that he would have it removed... Jack Valentino Friday #100
He had it done over on Tuesday iemanja Friday #101
yeah.... and was hardly ever shirtless in public where anyone would see it, either... Jack Valentino Saturday #105
He didn't have to get that tattoo, Jack Quiet Em Saturday #108
He did this and wrote the other things as an adult karynnj Wednesday #72
This message was self-deleted by its author leftstreet Wednesday #11
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Wednesday #50
Yes. Big Blue Marble Wednesday #32
According to his wiki bio, he was diagnosed with PTSD after his niyad 7 hrs ago #155
The Fetterman syndrome Bluetus Wednesday #14
Like I said, there's something like 8 people running in the primary Blue_Adept Wednesday #16
Plattner looks like a drip-drip-drip candidate Bluetus Wednesday #21
"Out of touch?" DFW Wednesday #61
This message was self-deleted by its author questionseverything Wednesday #31
she's 77 now Blue_Adept Wednesday #40
People aren't voting until 2026 iemanja Wednesday #54
They have had younger candidates and they lost JI7 Wednesday #56
Youth isn't the only requirement Bluetus Wednesday #59
They vote for Collins because she brings home the "pork". JI7 Wednesday #67
It is the job of the challenger to show that Collins is actually aiding Trump Bluetus Wednesday #69
You assume people share your views JI7 Wednesday #70
Funny you should say that, because there is a new poll Bluetus Friday #93
Their actions say more with repeatedly reelecting Susan Collins JI7 Friday #96
What choices have they really had? Bluetus Friday #97
There are clear differences between the candidates JI7 Friday #98
Platner is being confronted with his own words and actions. Quiet Em Friday #99
Much like Maine is nothing like New York City... Jack Valentino Saturday #104
It is not ok to sport Nazi tattoos and say extremely disparaging things in Maine or in NYC Quiet Em Saturday #106
Who has a better chance of winning ? JI7 Wednesday #2
The governor - by at least ten to one FBaggins 13 hrs ago #133
Through his disqualifying comments and behaviors I think Mills has the better chance. Climate Crusader Wednesday #3
According to the latest polls womanofthehills 19 hrs ago #115
I'm going with someone who is younger and has served in Autumn Wednesday #5
The question is, has he really overcome his demons? Bluetus Wednesday #17
Right, Fetterman had some red flags we were willing to look past. Not anymore uponit7771 12 hrs ago #135
Right, Fetterman had some red flags we were willing to look past. Not anymore uponit7771 12 hrs ago #136
wow obamanut2012 Wednesday #35
Younger and with military experience DFW Wednesday #46
Some people will vote for the worst candidate as long as he is awesomerwb1 Thursday #80
Yep. There is a reason I vote "establishment" even though I am progressive. nt Blasphemer Wednesday #48
I am too because he is very anti- genocide womanofthehills 18 hrs ago #116
I was impressed when he said that he shit talked and posted about things he knew nothing Autumn 15 hrs ago #124
Same thought crime 11 hrs ago #140
I know there would be a hell of a lot I would have to be held accountable for. Autumn 11 hrs ago #143
He has a Nazi tattoo on his chest Quiet Em 10 hrs ago #149
Tulsi Gabbard was the True Progressive anti-war candidate running against the party (Democrats are the REAL warmongers) betsuni 10 hrs ago #152
I'm not registered to vote in Maine n/t Shrek Wednesday #8
Nor am I, but we can offer an opinion... n/t hlthe2b Wednesday #24
I support Mills Just_Vote_Dem Wednesday #13
Mills' CV seems more productive, substantial and much less problematic Torchlight Wednesday #15
While I would like to see a younger candidate, Mills avebury Wednesday #18
While I would like to see a younger candidate, Mills avebury Wednesday #19
Her age seems to be the only issue for folks... Well, she appears completely healthy & hlthe2b Wednesday #23
blackwater + nazi tattoo waddirum Wednesday #25
The Blackwater past employment also pesters me LetMyPeopleVote Thursday #87
Don't live in Maine so my support will be purely based on what policies they are pushing. So far, Platner's Nanjeanne Wednesday #27
Too soon eShirl Wednesday #28
Can we pick "orher"? Ritabert Wednesday #29
Definitely opp research attacks being dropped JCMach1 Wednesday #30
The decision is up to the Democratic voters in Maine. yardwork Wednesday #36
Yes, but the Whole Country has a Cha Wednesday #51
True. Good for you, Cha! yardwork Thursday #78
Remember Mills was one of the first leaders to stand up to Trump Big Blue Marble Wednesday #37
1 - I'm not in state JustAnotherGen Wednesday #39
Jordan Wood has the 2nd highest campaign donations so far (close behind Platner) according to Wikipedia eShirl Wednesday #42
I'm impressed by his fundraising numbers (small dollar donors) JustAnotherGen Wednesday #43
Might consider Platner MaineBlueBear Wednesday #44
he got it made into a different tattoo, celtic style dog eShirl Wednesday #45
On Tuesday iemanja Wednesday #55
I'm not arguing in favor of him. n/t eShirl Wednesday #57
Agree. I like this response from Keith Olberman MaineBlueBear Thursday #73
Says the guy Kali999 Thursday #81
lolol Celerity Thursday #86
Removing the tattoo doesn't erase the fact he had it nini Wednesday #58
Some of these criticisms seem really knee-jerk Bluetus Wednesday #60
I guess it depends how familiar you are with nazi symbols EX500rider Wednesday #63
The tattoo, after modification, looks nothing like that. Bluetus Wednesday #64
Have you seen any evidence that he denies that's what was on his chest for 18 years? EX500rider Wednesday #65
WTF? Is that your argument? Bluetus Wednesday #68
You apparently haven't read a much about this cuz that's what the tattoo is EX500rider Wednesday #71
Show me the picture Bluetus Thursday #74
So you think if he was accused of having a Nazi tattoo and didn't actually have one he might say so? EX500rider Thursday #75
That is exactly what he said. Bluetus Thursday #79
Saying I didn't realize it was a Nazi tattoo is actually acknowledging it is a Nazi tattoo EX500rider Thursday #82
So you are not going to link to the picture? Bluetus Thursday #84
Here you go Blue_Adept Thursday #85
Thank you. There is some resemblance to the Nazi usage Bluetus Thursday #90
Your ability to downplay this says more about you than anything else Blue_Adept Friday #91
"Vast majority" ? No. You are dead wrong about that. Bluetus Friday #92
You can do your own research EX500rider Thursday #89
The picture may not be obvious on your phone or a small monitor EX500rider Thursday #76
Here: sop 15 hrs ago #127
Bingo. And the controversy began soon after Mills jumped in. thought crime 12 hrs ago #138
You don't get to blame Governor Mills for this man's awful decisions and words. Quiet Em 11 hrs ago #142
And there is an extreme bias against millennials and Gen-Xers Bluetus 10 hrs ago #145
Funny, the "extreme bias" a lot of us see is coming FROM millennials and Gen-Xers... PeaceWave 10 hrs ago #148
Yes, divisive talking point, fake martyrs pretending the Old Geezer Guard's coming to get them like in a zombie movie. betsuni 9 hrs ago #154
If Mills is the candidate thought crime 15 hrs ago #125
I like Janet Mills, but I prefer someone younger. Emile Wednesday #47
She would be 79 at the beginning of her term. thought crime 15 hrs ago #123
Not Graham Platner Polybius Wednesday #49
A Nazi tattoo is a no go for me. iemanja Wednesday #52
The real nazis are gestapo on the streets DoBW Wednesday #62
If Platner can prove to handle these revalations with enough evidence he has changed SSJVegeta Thursday #77
What kind of things could he do that would be significant enough to counter all karynnj Thursday #88
Mills is actually electable LetMyPeopleVote Thursday #83
She would be 79 when she took office in the Senate. Not an issue? thought crime 16 hrs ago #119
Nothing about Platner and his Nazi tattoo is "funny." Hard to believe you would suggest otherwise. PeaceWave 16 hrs ago #120
If MAGA voted for a Lefty who is clearly NOT a Nazi? Yeah, kinda funny. thought crime 12 hrs ago #137
A guy with a Nazi tattoo on his chest, staring at it every time he shaves - for 18 years - might just be a Nazi. PeaceWave 12 hrs ago #139
You know what is fucking gross? Quiet Em 11 hrs ago #141
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Friday #94
Not looking good for Platner ... it's it? QueerDuck Friday #95
His very entitled rich kid credentials are giving me pause, as they should you. See link Hekate Friday #102
Check the credentials of the author of that linked article. thought crime 16 hrs ago #118
Can you expand a bit? Hekate 14 hrs ago #131
You linked to a post referring to an article written by a right-wing author criticizing Platner. thought crime 12 hrs ago #134
So, on top of everything else, Platner is a nepo baby? Yeesh. PeaceWave 15 hrs ago #121
Too many questionable issues too fast for Platner. DinahMoeHum Friday #103
Neither. We have youth inspiring, will be 79 yr old Mills Hassler Saturday #107
Susan Collins is Not concerned... thought crime 15 hrs ago #122
Voted 'Other' for two reasons RandomNumbers 15 hrs ago #128
How long ago did he have the tattoo removed? n/t Stargleamer 14 hrs ago #129
He hasn't had it removed. He just covered it up once he got caught with it. PeaceWave 14 hrs ago #130
This candidate's tattoo was inspired by someone you all look up to. . . Stargleamer 14 hrs ago #132
I would choose wood dsc 10 hrs ago #144
First Platner but now Mills mvd 10 hrs ago #146
Anyone that can beat Susan Collins kimbutgar 10 hrs ago #151
This polling made me smile LetMyPeopleVote 10 hrs ago #153
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Do you support Janet Mill...»Reply #97