General Discussion

Redleg

(7,026 posts)

54. The measure of strength is not about who we beat down but about who we lift up

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 03:48 PM

Apr 22

This is a paraphrase of a statement Kamala Harris made during the 2024 campaign and it has resonated with me. I teach leadership and organizational behavior at a university and this statement seems to me to express one of the essential views of leadership, along with "lead by example."

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

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

luv2fly oldsoldierfadingfast

105 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Graham Platner Went to Hell and Back. He Has a Simple Message for Democrats. [View all] BeyondGeography Apr 22 OP

Platner has the makings of being a great Senator. Kid Berwyn Apr 22 #1

As long as he has REALY & SINCERELY left his racist, bigoted, misogynistic attitudes--as expressed hlthe2b Apr 22 #10

There are those of us UpInArms Apr 22 #13

Yes... One can only hope... hlthe2b Apr 22 #15

and, like Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, etc, etc, etc, etc.. mountain grammy Apr 22 #31

All we have is hope brakester Apr 22 #42

Ditto Cosmocat Apr 22 #43

Does American society incubate Toxic Masculinity and give the idea birth ? magicarpet Apr 22 #74

I also hope he's not another Fetterman. ananda Apr 22 #50

I agree.. mountain grammy Apr 22 #28

ICYMI ariadne0614 Apr 22 #30

Thank you. Great presentation by the candidate on what we are missing. Kid Berwyn Apr 22 #38

It is my pleasure to share this window into his personal evolution. ariadne0614 Apr 22 #44

The measure of strength is not about who we beat down but about who we lift up Redleg Apr 22 #54

+1 K & R Emile Apr 22 #2

K & R democrank Apr 22 #3

"Send me to Washington and I will work tirelessly to rebuild the American military." WhiskeyGrinder Apr 22 #4

The context to that quote is about the wasteful spending Emile Apr 22 #5

For a plain-spoken oysterman, his statements sure seem to take a lot of explaining. WhiskeyGrinder Apr 22 #6

Probably because all the disinformation to ruin the democrats chances to oust Collins? Emile Apr 22 #7

Both he and Mills poll ahead of Collins. WhiskeyGrinder Apr 22 #8

Platner leads Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins by 7 to 14 points (48% to 41%), Emile Apr 22 #12

Graham Platner a blessing or a demon ? magicarpet Apr 22 #16

thank you for this useful post justaprogressive Apr 22 #33

What's the action evidence he's changed? EdmondDantes_ Apr 22 #39

I've regretted not having used a better choice of words Zambero Apr 22 #9

If I hear "restructure," it makes me think layers of bureaucracy or departments or missions/scopes will be removed WhiskeyGrinder Apr 22 #11

"that definitely sounds like someone who's running as an anti-war candidate." EX500rider Apr 22 #52

lol exactly WhiskeyGrinder Apr 22 #55

Ben Rhodes, the author, was a foreign policy advisor in the Obama administration. Nt Fiendish Thingy Apr 22 #14

Platner would be a breath of fresh air over biocube Apr 22 #17

Graham Platner is running to grab the seat from GOPee (MAGA) leaning senior senator from Maine Sue Collins,for those,. magicarpet Apr 22 #56

Jesus Christ,... The damn Android operating system is editing my words because it,... magicarpet Apr 22 #59

"There's a big difference between saying the war shouldn't be happening because it is bad and Nanjeanne Apr 22 #18

And I have the reverse reaction dsc Apr 22 #19

I think you might be misunderstanding me and perhaps Platner as well Nanjeanne Apr 22 #22

My Town Classmates Maninacan Apr 22 #20

I don't trust Platner. He has no relevant experience for being a Senator. I'm not sure why the Crooked folks are LymphocyteLover Apr 22 #21

Ben Rhodes is crooked? BeyondGeography Apr 22 #24

Crooked Media.. is supporting Platner mountain grammy Apr 22 #32

lol...thanks for clearing that up for me BeyondGeography Apr 22 #35

I listen a couple times a week if it's something I'm interested in hearing. mountain grammy Apr 22 #37

Yes, I listen to Lovett or Leave It and also Pod Save the World. I haven't listened to Pod Save America after what they LymphocyteLover Apr 22 #62

Yes I also had a hard time with that. mountain grammy Apr 22 #90

Yes, he's part of the media network and is on Pod Save the World LymphocyteLover Apr 22 #63

Have to say, as an outsider looking in, I feel the same. Bev54 Apr 22 #26

I have that same worry LymphocyteLover Apr 22 #61

I only read the first bit of this breathless excerpt from the NYT. How many Iraqi/Afghani children were murdered by US erronis Apr 22 #23

I hope the voters in Maine choose wisely. sop Apr 22 #25

Graham Platner leading Governor Janet Mills in the Democratic Primary election, 55% to 28%. Emile Apr 22 #27

I cannot get past his vile misogyny and his "working man of the people" niyad Apr 22 #29

yup Skittles Apr 22 #79

I think Platner's anti-war stance is sincere, and he has matured since his early offensive behavior Martin Eden Apr 22 #34

As much as... 2naSalit Apr 22 #41

You have a valid point regarding experience, and lingering questions about his character. Martin Eden Apr 22 #45

I'd really have to... 2naSalit Apr 22 #48

"Sanders stupped for Fetterman", too.. Cha Apr 22 #60

It "resembled" a Nazi symbol?? SERIOUSLY?? -- No, sorry... it ABSOLUTELY IS a Nazi symbol! QueerDuck Apr 22 #36

It did resemble a Nazi symbol what with it being a Nazi symbol... mr715 Apr 22 #93

LOL! Nailed it! I'm sure that's the same type of hair splitting that the NYT's editorial board does... QueerDuck Apr 22 #97

How far truth has fallen. mr715 Apr 22 #99

That's nice... 2naSalit Apr 22 #40

It 'resembled a swastika' in the same way my 8th grade book report Torchlight Apr 22 #46

I find no mention in the article that it 'resembled a swastika' Abolishinist Apr 22 #49

You will not find that wording in the NYT article because he did not have a swastika tattoo. Celerity Apr 22 #57

Exactly. The article says it 'resembled a Nazi symbol', of which there are many. Abolishinist Apr 22 #71

This message was self-deleted by its author Torchlight Apr 22 #47

I agree with him on his war stance ☮ walkingman Apr 22 #51

I don't trust a "Democrat" whose message trashes Congressional Dems and cheers for MAGAts MorbidButterflyTat Apr 22 #53

JHC, Planter... sorry the Dems are Passionate Cha Apr 22 #65

I have many draft age grandsons and I am glad he is anti war questionseverything Apr 22 #67

Shane on Planter for sounding like Fetterman.. Cha Apr 22 #69

Fetterman is totally pro war backing Israel, platner is the exact opposite questionseverything Apr 22 #72

Planter is attacking Dems for being "passionate Cha Apr 22 #100

They sound entirely, 100%, completely different. mr715 Apr 22 #77

Planter is Attacking Dems for no reason Cha Apr 22 #101

We are perceiving different things. mr715 Apr 22 #102

iff elected which planner will show up? msongs Apr 22 #58

The one who will not cater to the whims of billionaire donors. Emile Apr 22 #64

You why he won't be another Fetterman? Intractable Apr 22 #66

Why do we compare him to Fetterman? mr715 Apr 22 #75

Not my idea to compare him. Mine is just a response to all of the above. Intractable Apr 22 #78

Understood. mr715 Apr 22 #82

Mills is part of the old guard. Many Democrats want a renewed Democratic party. Intractable Apr 22 #84

That is my sense. mr715 Apr 22 #89

Concerns could be mitigated if he was running for smaller office and built a strong verifiable record themaguffin Apr 22 #68

I do not understand why anyone is even entertaining the thought of supporting this guy over the extremely qualified and Quiet Em Apr 22 #70

Both can defeat Sen. Collins. mr715 Apr 22 #73

I do not believe Platner can beat Collins. Quiet Em Apr 22 #81

We shall see. mr715 Apr 22 #85

He's still a slow motion train wreck. RandySF Apr 22 #76

Says you. Intractable Apr 22 #80

and me Skittles Apr 22 #83

Too bad you will lose this one, eh? Intractable Apr 22 #86

says you Skittles Apr 22 #87

Polling says, "Mills loses." That your pick. Intractable Apr 22 #88

He probably will win the primary. RandySF Apr 22 #92

Yeah, well, too bad he's going to win, right? Intractable Apr 22 #94

November? I wouldn't bet on it. RandySF Apr 22 #95

Mills is severely losing in the polls. But, if you want to keep the up the faith, it'll just hurt that much more in Nov Intractable Apr 22 #96

I can understand why you wouldn't bet on it. Mills doesn't Emile Apr 22 #104

Respectfully, he's winning. mr715 Apr 22 #91

Kicked and recommended Uncle Joe Apr 22 #98

What is the "simple message for Democrats"? maxsolomon Apr 22 #103

You got it BeyondGeography Apr 23 #105