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mainer

(12,599 posts)
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 12:23 PM 14 hrs ago

Mainer here. I'm sick of pundits telling me how I should vote.

I live in a bright blue part of the state. I was a Janet Mills supporter. Then she dropped out and I turned to Platner. Now I'm told by the press, by my out-of-state Democratic friends, by all the genius politicos from outside Maine, that Maine Democrats are going to stay home and Collins is going to win.

Ya know what? No, we're not going to stay home. Every Democrat I know, men and women, whether they earlier supported Platner or not, is damn well going to show up to vote against Collins.

Stop telling us what we're going to do. We're Mainers. We do whatever we damn well please.

78 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Mainer here. I'm sick of pundits telling me how I should vote. (Original Post) mainer 14 hrs ago OP
Just get Collins OUT leftstreet 14 hrs ago #1
Don't listen to them. Problem solved. BannonsLiver 14 hrs ago #2
yes Skittles 9 hrs ago #64
Thank you, mainer UpInArms 14 hrs ago #3
Can't rec this enough, thanks! n/t Just_Vote_Dem 14 hrs ago #4
Love this so much. Justice 14 hrs ago #5
I hadn't heard (that Platner was going to tank the ticket). But I'm glad to hear it stopdiggin 14 hrs ago #6
I visited your state a few years ago. Spent 9 days there just riding around. Lochloosa 14 hrs ago #7
Kick dalton99a 14 hrs ago #8
Thank you Mainer mr715 13 hrs ago #9
You do you FHRRK1 13 hrs ago #10
Thanks for the reassurance DemocracyForever 13 hrs ago #22
Another Mainer here. Bumbles 13 hrs ago #11
Collins put Kavanaugh on the SCOTUS DemocracyForever 13 hrs ago #24
Some moderate. (nt) Pinback 11 hrs ago #41
Makes sense quakerboy 13 hrs ago #12
Hegseth has a Nazi tattoo DemocracyForever 12 hrs ago #27
K & R Emile 13 hrs ago #13
Ignore them MustLoveBeagles 13 hrs ago #14
Go Maine. Hang in. Have some ice cream. twodogsbarking 13 hrs ago #15
Yes. I said as much, yesterday and was roundly scolded by some non-Mainers here. MineralMan 13 hrs ago #16
This message was self-deleted by its author BannonsLiver 13 hrs ago #26
Feh... MineralMan 12 hrs ago #28
If I recall, your post (yesterday) had to do with scolding non-resident posters stopdiggin 7 hrs ago #71
Sure as hell did Ishoutandscream2 6 hrs ago #72
Whatever you say MineralMan 6 hrs ago #73
THANK YOU MAINER orangecrush 13 hrs ago #17
Vote for whomever you think best jmbar2 13 hrs ago #18
He's not a Fetterman. And sexting is not the same thing as rape or adultery. mainer 13 hrs ago #21
People seem to be forgetting his rape apologist texts. niyad 12 hrs ago #29
Weird, huh? MorbidButterflyTat 9 hrs ago #61
Weird indeed. niyad 8 hrs ago #70
I would argue his sexting was adultery. It wasn't physical, but I'd consider it cheating EdmondDantes_ 12 hrs ago #36
And his wife forgave him for it. mainer 10 hrs ago #48
at the very least it is extremely poor judgement Skittles 9 hrs ago #56
Emotioinal cheating is not adultery Soul_of_Wit 9 hrs ago #58
Even Jimmy Carter said he "lusted in his heart" for other women mainer 9 hrs ago #67
"speech is not violence"? You might want to talk to Domestic Violence niyad 6 hrs ago #74
PREACH!!! ❤️🤍💙 littlemissmartypants 13 hrs ago #19
The media is trying to suppress the vote so Collins wins. They are an unpaid PR firm for MAGAts and the Republicans. AZLD4Candidate 13 hrs ago #20
Media has been pro rethug since 2000 DemocracyForever 12 hrs ago #30
Maybe even back further mvd 12 hrs ago #39
It was egregious in 2000 DemocracyForever 9 hrs ago #65
Plus, many of us have already voted. eShirl 13 hrs ago #23
nice, are you voting for David Costello? rogue emissary 13 hrs ago #25
Thanks for this reassurance DemocracyForever 12 hrs ago #31
It's a high stakes election Quiet Em 12 hrs ago #32
I agree and have only one request. If you see him, slap him upside the head and ask ... surfered 12 hrs ago #33
Haha yeah a lot of us want to do that mainer 12 hrs ago #40
I believe you. ShazzieB 12 hrs ago #34
Kicking for Mainers democrank 12 hrs ago #35
Not from Maine but I like Janet Mills too... lame54 12 hrs ago #37
Age. Bumbles 11 hrs ago #45
She's still on the ballot... 2naSalit 10 hrs ago #47
She suspended her campaign but marcopolo63 10 hrs ago #50
Here! Here! duckworth969 12 hrs ago #38
He isnt perfect...no one is. But he is certainly better for the world than Susan Collins! bsiebs 11 hrs ago #42
You take care of Maine NewLarry 11 hrs ago #43
I'd bet that most of that is coming from AIPAC Bluetus 11 hrs ago #44
Maine Democrats need to sweep out trump surrogates! Omnipresent 10 hrs ago #46
This is what Platner's up agaist mainer 10 hrs ago #49
The awful thing is I don't know if this hurts him in the general!! mr715 9 hrs ago #54
This Aviation Pro 10 hrs ago #51
Maine has ranked choice voting. Including for this Senate Primary race. RockCreek 10 hrs ago #52
You tell 'em!! pat_k 9 hrs ago #53
I like Chris Murphy's reponse to this - and wish more Ds responded as such Nanjeanne 9 hrs ago #55
President Murphy 2028 Emile 9 hrs ago #59
I'd def like him to enter and I would def like to hear his vision for the country. Nanjeanne 9 hrs ago #60
This message was self-deleted by its author Skittles 9 hrs ago #57
Same here, i follow me, not maga types. CarolinaNC 9 hrs ago #62
The pundit class is gonna pundit Keepthesoulalive 9 hrs ago #63
Love it! You are so right. Nobody knows Maine and who is good for it other than the people that live there. Katinfl 9 hrs ago #66
Graham Platner is part of the growing voice of the left(out) in the democratic party. BComplex 8 hrs ago #68
You do you... CincyDem 8 hrs ago #69
You go Mainer! MaineNative 5 hrs ago #75
Pundit and the MSM Buzz cook 5 hrs ago #76
I doubt I would like him, but as a Texan I sure agree w/you TBF 5 hrs ago #77
Go, ME! dlilafae 3 hrs ago #78

UpInArms

(55,465 posts)
3. Thank you, mainer
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 12:26 PM
14 hrs ago

all the pearl clutching is truly nauseating ...

Thank you for getting out the vote. THAT is the most important thing.

stopdiggin

(15,693 posts)
6. I hadn't heard (that Platner was going to tank the ticket). But I'm glad to hear it
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 12:29 PM
14 hrs ago

has now been put to rest.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lochloosa

(16,816 posts)
7. I visited your state a few years ago. Spent 9 days there just riding around.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 12:35 PM
14 hrs ago

What a beautiful state and great people.

FHRRK1

(162 posts)
10. You do you
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 12:56 PM
13 hrs ago

We have been going through the same in CA with the Governor. Less than a month ago there were numerous posts about Jungle Primary, we are going to have two Republicans on the ballot, blah, blah, blah. As of today it is much more likely that it will be two Dems. Will be shocked if two Rs get through.

It is very hard to understand local politics unless you have lived it, learned it.

DemocracyForever

(234 posts)
22. Thanks for the reassurance
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:38 PM
13 hrs ago

With so many candidates running and dividing the vote, I've been very woried that 2 rethugs might get the most votes. I trust California voters.

Bumbles

(530 posts)
11. Another Mainer here.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:05 PM
13 hrs ago

I would probably vote for the devil to get rid of Susan Collins. Graham Platner's not the devil. He's a flawed human being, like the rest of us. Do I like some of his behavior? No. Will I vote for him? Yes! Anything to replace Susan who pledged to serve only two terms. She's long outstayed her welcome.

DemocracyForever

(234 posts)
24. Collins put Kavanaugh on the SCOTUS
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:40 PM
13 hrs ago

who then helped overturn Roe vs Wade. No one should ever forget this.

quakerboy

(14,914 posts)
12. Makes sense
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:09 PM
13 hrs ago

Im really confused how anyone thinks that despite the fact nazi tattoo and the online posts didn't really even dent his campaign, some sexting is supposed to suddenly end him?

DemocracyForever

(234 posts)
27. Hegseth has a Nazi tattoo
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:43 PM
12 hrs ago

However the sexting certainly won't help Platner. I'm so disappointed that this has come up. This is such a crucial seat for dems. Collins needs to go. No doubt Collins will exploit the Platner sexting while she ignores Trump's abuse of women..

MineralMan

(151,728 posts)
16. Yes. I said as much, yesterday and was roundly scolded by some non-Mainers here.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:19 PM
13 hrs ago

Thanks for a reaction from someone who actually lives in the state!

Response to MineralMan (Reply #16)

stopdiggin

(15,693 posts)
71. If I recall, your post (yesterday) had to do with scolding non-resident posters
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 07:04 PM
7 hrs ago

for wasting everyone's time by offering opinion - on the more recent Platner news, and candidacy.
And, yeah - you kinda' had that beat down coming.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

jmbar2

(8,215 posts)
18. Vote for whomever you think best
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:30 PM
13 hrs ago

But if he turns out to be another Fetterman or Swallwell, all Dems stand to lose this badly needed seat.

mainer

(12,599 posts)
21. He's not a Fetterman. And sexting is not the same thing as rape or adultery.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:37 PM
13 hrs ago

I can't believe how many people think that sending inappropriate text messages is equivalent to what Swallwell or Trump actually did to women.

EdmondDantes_

(2,147 posts)
36. I would argue his sexting was adultery. It wasn't physical, but I'd consider it cheating
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 02:12 PM
12 hrs ago

mainer

(12,599 posts)
48. And his wife forgave him for it.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 03:57 PM
10 hrs ago

Let's stay out of other peoples' marriages, shall we?

Soul_of_Wit

(167 posts)
58. Emotioinal cheating is not adultery
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 05:02 PM
9 hrs ago

... and speech is not violence. The very concerned Sen. Collins must be shown the door.

mainer

(12,599 posts)
67. Even Jimmy Carter said he "lusted in his heart" for other women
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 05:39 PM
9 hrs ago

The pearl clutchers in our party would say that was disqualifying.

niyad

(134,348 posts)
74. "speech is not violence"? You might want to talk to Domestic Violence
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 08:08 PM
6 hrs ago

survivors some time.

AZLD4Candidate

(7,014 posts)
20. The media is trying to suppress the vote so Collins wins. They are an unpaid PR firm for MAGAts and the Republicans.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:37 PM
13 hrs ago

Or they are tepid centrists that find the Democrats at fault over everything.

DemocracyForever

(234 posts)
30. Media has been pro rethug since 2000
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:46 PM
12 hrs ago

when they fawned over incompetent Bush while they trashed Al Gore at every turn.

mvd

(65,967 posts)
39. Maybe even back further
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 02:24 PM
12 hrs ago

The ‘80s I mean. I was a child, but I don’t remember them doing much critical of Reagan.

DemocracyForever

(234 posts)
65. It was egregious in 2000
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 05:29 PM
9 hrs ago

The only written record of just how pro W anti Gore the media was can be found in the archives of the online blog The Daily Howler.

DemocracyForever

(234 posts)
31. Thanks for this reassurance
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:47 PM
12 hrs ago

You know Maine better than the out of state carpetbaggers and the pro rethug media

Quiet Em

(3,095 posts)
32. It's a high stakes election
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:58 PM
12 hrs ago

Governor, both House seats and Senate are on the ballot.

I can't imagine that any active Democrat is going to sit home.

I don't know who is pushing that but I wouldn't worry about it.

If anything the Republicans are probably crying because their bill to stop children from playing sports in school is off the ballot and they thought that was their "ballot candy" as one Maine rightwinger called it.

surfered

(14,577 posts)
33. I agree and have only one request. If you see him, slap him upside the head and ask ...
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:59 PM
12 hrs ago

…”What the hell were you thinking? It’s ok if you want to drive over a cliff, but not with us in the back seat!”

mainer

(12,599 posts)
40. Haha yeah a lot of us want to do that
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 02:41 PM
12 hrs ago

He's the naughty boy in the family, but he's our boy. And we think he'll do what needs to be done in the Senate.

ShazzieB

(22,951 posts)
34. I believe you.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 02:02 PM
12 hrs ago

I have posted before that this is Maine's call, not anyone else's, and I still stand by that. The uproar is getting ridiculous. The rest of us need to get our noses out of Maine's business and let you all all do your job. I will be cheering you on from now through November. Go, Maine!

lame54

(40,217 posts)
37. Not from Maine but I like Janet Mills too...
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 02:18 PM
12 hrs ago

she was one of the first to stand up to Trump this term
She said I will see you in court and she won
Not sure why she was dismissed in this election

2naSalit

(103,982 posts)
47. She's still on the ballot...
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 03:56 PM
10 hrs ago

She suspended, didn't end it entirely.

It's also ranked choice vote so it's anybody's guess as to who will win the primary. There are a few others running, all of them are more qualified than the guy will the tattoo.

Just have to wait until we're done counting votes.

marcopolo63

(101 posts)
50. She suspended her campaign but
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 04:18 PM
10 hrs ago

Janet Mills is still a candidate for US Senate on the ballot and she reminded people today that they can still vote for her in the June 9th primary. I believe Platner will still win the primary nomination, despite the sexting and all his other faux pas, but there are a lot Dems and Independents (unenrolled voters) who just are not progressive and don’t trust Platner or his message. I call them stick up there a _ _ es Democrats who think they know it all and will doom us to another Collins term in the senate because they’re afraid of change!

bsiebs

(987 posts)
42. He isnt perfect...no one is. But he is certainly better for the world than Susan Collins!
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 02:58 PM
11 hrs ago

Bluetus

(3,158 posts)
44. I'd bet that most of that is coming from AIPAC
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 03:11 PM
11 hrs ago

Probably through 3rd parties they fund and instigate.

These days, I bet more than 75% of the money in our national politics (POTUS, Senate, House and maybe Governors) comes from hostile foreign actors and billionaires that have no allegiance to any country.

mr715

(4,382 posts)
54. The awful thing is I don't know if this hurts him in the general!!
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 04:54 PM
9 hrs ago

Plenty of disengaged voters are fine with Nazis. This why is he's going to win. The misinformation war cuts into Susan Collins' base, not Democrats.

Democrats see through this shit.

Republicans see this shit and are like, "Cool, I like"

RockCreek

(1,520 posts)
52. Maine has ranked choice voting. Including for this Senate Primary race.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 04:25 PM
10 hrs ago

Last edited Mon Jun 1, 2026, 06:42 PM - Edit history (1)

Mainers have been sensible enough to change to ranked choice.
There are 3 Democratic Primary candidates listed on the ballot.
Mainers can rank others in the primary above Platner, and express displeasure that way WITHOUT throwing the election to Collins.
Thank Maine for leading the way with ranked choice voting.

Nanjeanne

(6,679 posts)
55. I like Chris Murphy's reponse to this - and wish more Ds responded as such
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 04:55 PM
9 hrs ago

Murphy said he hadn’t followed the texting story as closely as others but said Platner was still the best opponent for incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

“Graham Platner is somebody who served our country, he’s served his community; he’s also made mistakes and he’s admitted that,” Murphy said during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

“Character also involves standing up to people who are bankrupting and corrupting this country. And this race is going to be a contrast between somebody who has put his life on the line for this country, against somebody who is literally empowering the moral hollowing-out of our nation from the White House,” the lawmaker added.


https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5903805-murphy-backs-platner-senate-race/]

Response to mainer (Original post)

Keepthesoulalive

(2,431 posts)
63. The pundit class is gonna pundit
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 05:14 PM
9 hrs ago

They get paid to stir up feces. Sometimes they swing elections which makes their masters very happy. Good luck getting rid of the concerned one , we deserve better as a country.

Katinfl

(909 posts)
66. Love it! You are so right. Nobody knows Maine and who is good for it other than the people that live there.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 05:39 PM
9 hrs ago

BComplex

(9,980 posts)
68. Graham Platner is part of the growing voice of the left(out) in the democratic party.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 05:52 PM
8 hrs ago

Those of us who, for decades, have had to suffer the milquetoast attitude of the non-fighting democrats who have moved further and further away from the party of FDR. Now we're getting a new generation of democrats running who mirror our more liberal attitudes...those of us who believe that more of the taxes we pay should go back to we, the people, and who aren't swayed into conservative democratic policies by name-calling (socialist, liberal extremist, etc).

I think Graham Platner, and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Mamdani in New York are leading the way for the future of our party to be ruled by the people, and not by the corporations, and I totally welcome them!

Thank you for donating to Graham Platner!! He's the perfect candidate to help Susan Collins into her long-overdue retirement.

CincyDem

(7,425 posts)
69. You do you...
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 06:26 PM
8 hrs ago

...with 12k+ posts here, I have a sneaky suspicion that you (and everyone within the sound of your voice) are going to be putting Collins in the Former Senator club.

MaineNative

(104 posts)
75. You go Mainer!
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 08:44 PM
5 hrs ago

This household and every one I know is voting for Graham. If you want a few good chuckles, look no further than the paper of record’s comment section, Portland Press Herald, under any Platner article. Heads are exploding.

TBF

(37,386 posts)
77. I doubt I would like him, but as a Texan I sure agree w/you
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 08:58 PM
5 hrs ago

We had a similar issue down here. Without going into details and pissing folks off, we collectively voted for the guy we thought could win. With the situation right now, with MAGA having lost their minds and putting an adjudicated sex offender in the presidency, we need to get republicans out in any way we can.

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