General Discussion

Bumbles

(628 posts) Tue Jul 7, 2026, 07:56 PM Tuesday

THE MAINE THING It looks like Graham Platner is gone, but the Democrats' real problem isn't going away ...

D. Earl Stephens nails it.

"Since Graham Platner burst on the scene a year ago announcing his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, he has crisscrossed the Pine Tree State telling uncomfortable truths about America’s broken political system, and making enemies on both sides of the spectrum doing it.

Controversy has followed the combat vet for the past year, but so too, have thousands and thousands of supporters in Maine who nominated him to run against the despicable Republican, Susan Collins, in a key Senate race in November.

Since ascending to the Senate in 1996, the oily Collins has been clobbering one establishment Democrat after another in a state that has a proud history of distrusting the establishment. You have to live in Maine to understand Maine, and the problem is that too many people don’t."

"I hung on with Platner for as long as I could because he and people like him are the answer to greatest political question of our times in America: How in the hell do we get rid of all this money polluting our election system?"

Read on.

https://dearlstephens.substack.com/p/the-maine-thing-192

6 replies

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Highlight:

THE MAINE THING It looks like Graham Platner is gone, but the Democrats' real problem isn't going away ... (Original Post) Bumbles Tuesday OP

Platner had more money than any other candidate, and Janet Mills had to suspend her campaign lapucelle Tuesday #1

Good article, and it's backed up by an article today that most probably didn't see TBF Tuesday #2

Platner appears to be considering sabotaging the race for Democrats WSHazel Tuesday #3

You left out Sinema tblue37 Tuesday #4

One would think he knew of the stories before he even considered running. LisaL Tuesday #5

I love this statement from the Maine Democratic Party chair LetMyPeopleVote Tuesday #6

lapucelle

(21,365 posts)

1. Platner had more money than any other candidate, and Janet Mills had to suspend her campaign

Reply to Bumbles (Original post)

Tue Jul 7, 2026, 08:06 PM

Tuesday

because she didn't have any money.

Plus, I'm not sure why D. Earl has to drag Bill Clinton and blow jobs into the mix.

TBF

(37,791 posts)

2. Good article, and it's backed up by an article today that most probably didn't see

Reply to Bumbles (Original post)

Tue Jul 7, 2026, 08:19 PM

Tuesday

in the NYTimes this afternoon. In the middle of an article about Platner:

"As the situation in Maine threatened to spiral out of control, Mr. Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee are set to host major donors this week for a fund-raising retreat at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Donors are asked to contribute $44,300 to attend, according to a copy of the invitation. The event, which was previously scheduled, was billed as a “special weekend to discuss the D.S.C.C.’s strategy and campaigns for taking back the Democratic Senate majority,” but now talk is likely to be consumed by the developments in Maine." https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/us/politics/graham-platner-maine-replacements-democrats.html?unlocked_article_code=1.wFA.IFzM.pRQtY6rJ6-X1&smid=url-share

It doesn't take much reading between the lines to understand this ... and Maine will be getting a candidate more appealing to the old guard.

WSHazel

(974 posts)

3. Platner appears to be considering sabotaging the race for Democrats

Reply to Bumbles (Original post)

Tue Jul 7, 2026, 08:56 PM

Tuesday

He could have dropped out on Friday, when he clearly knew of this story, but he hasn't dropped out, and it appears he is considering running out the clock and staying in.

Platner = Gabbard = Fetterman

Another great call backing an "anti-establishment" candidate.