If I may take a little different tack on the Democratic Party...
The media covering this story are governed by the Epstein class/Democrat flavor, and they are up in the air -- ambivalent as to how to come across. Platner's earnestness (and ultimately dishonesty) are of a piece with their perspective, so they are rather in the space between the rock and something hard. This is not a condemnation, just a recognition of fallibility, weakness, and earnestness rolled up into a single ball. It's also why, in my opinion, women are more prominent in politics today, able to summon both the gravitas and the honesty we crave. The exceptions make my point, too. The Maine Party are very clear, and should make a proper impression with their ultimate choice.
Interested in what you mean — that they couldn’t really cover a guy like Platner because he’s more complicated than they are used to? Not at all criticism, just trying to make sure I understand
Thank you for a good article on the Platner problem. I am a small donator who spends my retirement on politics. I never donated to Platner as the Nazi tattoo made me cautious. We all must be careful with support and we need a party that vets candidates. I am very progressive but not all progressives are good or are better than incumbent Dems just as all incumbent Dems are better than progressive challengers. I am strongly against the party picking candidates but should vet them all. I would have donated and supported Mills but it seemed she refused to make more progressive moves. I liked her because she spoke out strongly against Trump on the trans issue but then made no further moves progressive, like you said, it appeared that she really didn't want to go to Washington. Sad, hopefully they can come up with a progressive who can beat Collins.
As usual, you hit the nail on the head, Ken. The problems that we see throughout the entire political spectrum is indeed a vetting failure: How did Santos get elected? How did Trump get elected? How did Graham win the primary?
The basic lesson, here is what mom used to say: "You can't make a good omelet out of rotten eggs".
Checking on someone's integrity isn't terribly hard or expensive, and all political parties can muster a few hundred dollars to call on a private detective to bring forth a report. This should be a minimum and an aspiring candidate should be willing to offer the following:
Look at what folks who apply for citizenship have to go through! Credit reports, affidavits, proof of diplomas, proof of residency, an interview about your knowledge of American laws and history.
Did political parties ask their candidates for these documents?
I'm sure, as you look through just these few, you thought Hmmm. This would have stopped Santos or Trump., or Graham.
And look at all the misery we could have prevented to the American people!
Perhaps something good will come from this. Platner's campaign created an organization that could serve as a springboard for a sustainable political movement that could transform Maine politics. There is too much emphasis on particular politicians. Politicians are a necessary evil in our peculiar system of government. We need a politic that focuses instead on constituent needs. That can only come from a citizen led organization.
Hmmm. Platner may not be the best candidate in some ways, and Schumer, as usual,
forced the mainstream cowardly Dem approach on the voting citizens, SIGH. But don't you wonder about how "convenient" this charge of rape appears to be? If he did rape her, where is the evidence from the time? Was it not reported? WAS IT REALLY NOT RAPE? You should know by now the Rethuglicans will stop at NOTHING to win. Perhaps they found and paid a "believable" accuser? I thought individuals are deemed innocent until PROVEN GUILTY in the US. Where is the actual proof? But then the corporate Dems certified a narcissist, fascist, convicted felon as our President. Illegal as all heck. See where that has led us. I'm sensing shades of Al Franken here. Somebody needs to research the claimant thoroughly rather than tossing Platner out in a panicked rush. My 2 cents' worth here. I'm over age 55 and a lifelong feminist. I smell a convenient stench....cheers?
One of the best Platner analyses I've read in the past 48 hours. The public wants change, and he offered that, despite his many blemishes. In today's environment it takes guts to run for office with the knowledge that all of your flaws will be exposed. Let's hope that someone with integrity, charisma and an understanding of the issues at stake can step up to the plate.
As much as Schumer may have screwed this up the people who voted for Platner ultimately own this mess. They had a choice to make and instead they made a statement, and now they're discovering they've been deceived. To many of us Platner was clearly problematic from the start and the inferior choice to Mills, imperfect as she was. Hero worship is no substitute for her decency and competence that Maine Democrats rejected. And by the way, why are you so shocked that Socialists fall for false prophets and false heroes? Isn't that a big part of the history of Socialism? A Casablanca Moment as good as any- shocked, shocked!
Blaming voters seems like old guard politics and that’s clearly not what these voters wanted. Voters should be heeded not blamed. Graham Platner needs to take all of the blame for this. I guess we wait to see if he does.
Regular Democrats don't even make promises. Also REAL socialism was very different from what Dems "socialist" want (which is more like light weight Europe). People like Schumer should just retire and go play bingo
If I may take a little different tack on the Democratic Party...
The media covering this story are governed by the Epstein class/Democrat flavor, and they are up in the air -- ambivalent as to how to come across. Platner's earnestness (and ultimately dishonesty) are of a piece with their perspective, so they are rather in the space between the rock and something hard. This is not a condemnation, just a recognition of fallibility, weakness, and earnestness rolled up into a single ball. It's also why, in my opinion, women are more prominent in politics today, able to summon both the gravitas and the honesty we crave. The exceptions make my point, too. The Maine Party are very clear, and should make a proper impression with their ultimate choice.
Interested in what you mean — that they couldn’t really cover a guy like Platner because he’s more complicated than they are used to? Not at all criticism, just trying to make sure I understand
Thank you for a good article on the Platner problem. I am a small donator who spends my retirement on politics. I never donated to Platner as the Nazi tattoo made me cautious. We all must be careful with support and we need a party that vets candidates. I am very progressive but not all progressives are good or are better than incumbent Dems just as all incumbent Dems are better than progressive challengers. I am strongly against the party picking candidates but should vet them all. I would have donated and supported Mills but it seemed she refused to make more progressive moves. I liked her because she spoke out strongly against Trump on the trans issue but then made no further moves progressive, like you said, it appeared that she really didn't want to go to Washington. Sad, hopefully they can come up with a progressive who can beat Collins.
As usual, you hit the nail on the head, Ken. The problems that we see throughout the entire political spectrum is indeed a vetting failure: How did Santos get elected? How did Trump get elected? How did Graham win the primary?
The basic lesson, here is what mom used to say: "You can't make a good omelet out of rotten eggs".
Checking on someone's integrity isn't terribly hard or expensive, and all political parties can muster a few hundred dollars to call on a private detective to bring forth a report. This should be a minimum and an aspiring candidate should be willing to offer the following:
Look at what folks who apply for citizenship have to go through! Credit reports, affidavits, proof of diplomas, proof of residency, an interview about your knowledge of American laws and history.
Did political parties ask their candidates for these documents?
I'm sure, as you look through just these few, you thought Hmmm. This would have stopped Santos or Trump., or Graham.
And look at all the misery we could have prevented to the American people!
Perhaps something good will come from this. Platner's campaign created an organization that could serve as a springboard for a sustainable political movement that could transform Maine politics. There is too much emphasis on particular politicians. Politicians are a necessary evil in our peculiar system of government. We need a politic that focuses instead on constituent needs. That can only come from a citizen led organization.
Hmmm. Platner may not be the best candidate in some ways, and Schumer, as usual,
forced the mainstream cowardly Dem approach on the voting citizens, SIGH. But don't you wonder about how "convenient" this charge of rape appears to be? If he did rape her, where is the evidence from the time? Was it not reported? WAS IT REALLY NOT RAPE? You should know by now the Rethuglicans will stop at NOTHING to win. Perhaps they found and paid a "believable" accuser? I thought individuals are deemed innocent until PROVEN GUILTY in the US. Where is the actual proof? But then the corporate Dems certified a narcissist, fascist, convicted felon as our President. Illegal as all heck. See where that has led us. I'm sensing shades of Al Franken here. Somebody needs to research the claimant thoroughly rather than tossing Platner out in a panicked rush. My 2 cents' worth here. I'm over age 55 and a lifelong feminist. I smell a convenient stench....cheers?
One of the best Platner analyses I've read in the past 48 hours. The public wants change, and he offered that, despite his many blemishes. In today's environment it takes guts to run for office with the knowledge that all of your flaws will be exposed. Let's hope that someone with integrity, charisma and an understanding of the issues at stake can step up to the plate.
Thanks, Paul. He definitely connected for a reason and let’s hope Democratic leaders can separate the public’s demands with the man’s fatal flaws.
As much as Schumer may have screwed this up the people who voted for Platner ultimately own this mess. They had a choice to make and instead they made a statement, and now they're discovering they've been deceived. To many of us Platner was clearly problematic from the start and the inferior choice to Mills, imperfect as she was. Hero worship is no substitute for her decency and competence that Maine Democrats rejected. And by the way, why are you so shocked that Socialists fall for false prophets and false heroes? Isn't that a big part of the history of Socialism? A Casablanca Moment as good as any- shocked, shocked!
Blaming voters seems like old guard politics and that’s clearly not what these voters wanted. Voters should be heeded not blamed. Graham Platner needs to take all of the blame for this. I guess we wait to see if he does.
Hero worship is endemic in a system that emphasizes politicians over citizen participation. As for Mills, her heart was never in the campaign.
Regular Democrats don't even make promises. Also REAL socialism was very different from what Dems "socialist" want (which is more like light weight Europe). People like Schumer should just retire and go play bingo