Maine Is Reminiscent of the Al Franken Fiasco

[MineralMan]

I hope very much we do not end up with Susan Collins again by demonizing a Democratic candidate. I'm not confident, though, that there will be a good outcome. It is not out of the realm of possibility, either.

While I realize the two situations are not the same, exactly, similar situations are in play.

Let's not do that again, please. Please.

[Boo1]

1. Maybe we should get smart

And not nominate him.

[MineralMan]

3. What "We" Are You Talking About

There is a primary election. Maine voters will decide.

Are you a Maine voter? If not, you don't have a say.

[PatSeg]

34. Maine has another Democratic candidate

David Costello. Why is he being ignored? It seems that the media has focused primarily on Platner because he makes better headlines. It is a very strange election.

[Celerity]

49. he's ignored because he is a minor candidate who polls poorly (zero to 2 per cent ususally, with one newish poll at 3)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_Senate_election_in_Maine#Democratic_primary

[PatSeg]

57. Thanks for the info

And perhaps he doesn't poll well because no one is talking about him. Meanwhile Platner is in the news on a daily basis.

[Sympthsical]

2. I thought we were concentrating on our own states

California's voting today, so I will spend my time meditating on that, lighting candles, and focusing solely on the ground, which is replete with rich, Californian soil. If my eyes do avert, they may gaze upon the Californian hills and the blue Californian sky.

As is right and proper for me, who lives in California.

[MineralMan]

7. I'm always interested in all races.

I just don't participate in them unless they're in my own state. However, I hope what happened to All Franken, in my own state, does not happen in a similar way in Maine. I think that is appropriate for me to say.

I am also watching California, where I lived for over 50 years, leaving in 2004 to move to Minnesota.

I observe what I want and comment as I please.

[Sympthsical]

13. LOL, ok

I'm going to be generous as and assume of the OP:

[TheProle]

33. At least you're consistent.

Are you a Maine voter? If not, you don't have a say.

I observe what I want and comment as I please.

lol

[ColoringFool]

65. "I observe what I want and comment as I please." DOST THOU NOT OBSERVETH THE IRONY?!

Truly astounding, really. Admirable, almost.

"I observe what I want and comment as I please."

[Quiet Em]

4. These situations are not in the same ballpark

Al Franken does not belong in this discussion

I'm learning more about the site Kik than I care to and I'm pretty certain there are screenshots out there.

[mr715]

8. Oh, don't be concerned.

Too much concern already in Maine politics.

[Quiet Em]

10. Are you attempting to compare me to Susan Collins?

[mr715]

12. Not at all.

I had intended that a playful little banter.

I apologize.

You are nothing like Susan Collins. I am not concerned about that.

[Quiet Em]

20. Ok, we're cool

I do enjoy playful banter with you but that was just too much, lol

[mr715]

21. I apologize. I respect you and I appreciate your perspective, values, and experience.

Full stop.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. What fiasco? He resigned, Dayton named Smith to take his place, and she went on to be a hell of a senator.

[MineralMan]

9. He was forced to resign.

It took him months after his election to get through ballot challenges, as well.

I like Tina Smith. She has done well. She is leaving now, and it looks likely that a Democrat will replace her.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

16. He chose to resign. The ballot challenges were ten years before that, so not sure how it's relevant.

[LisaL]

39. It's like choosing to resign from your job if your boss tells

you to resign or be fired.

[mr715]

48. Expulsions from the Senate are 2/3s?

They probably could've gotten those margins at the height of Al Franken's scandal.

Strictly though his boss were the voters and he had been reelected. There hadn't even been an ethics investigation.

[AZProgressive]

52. So you prefer we keep Al Franken

but find someone else to replace Graham Platner? I agree sexting is bad especially if it is unwanted but Al Franken made unwanted advances toward other women.

[mr715]

6. It is a challenging dynamic.

My position on it is abundantly clear based on my other messages.

My sense is that the energy in this midterm election is different than Collins v. Gideon. I think there is enough anti-incumbent sentiment that Graham Platner will beat her.

I love Al Franken, and I really wanted him to run against Trump in 2020. I expected to be given the luxury of a riotously funny comedian excoriating Trump at every juncture. But he resigned - it was his choice, and I think he elevated his party. He has been a good Democrat, in service and out.

I can't particularly speak to Graham Platner's quality as a Democrat, yet. But I know he is a better one than Susan Collins. Much like, though he is a grotesque, Fetterman is better than Collins.

[MineralMan]

11. I think Fetterman is ill.

I'm not sure he fully realizes that, though. Very unfortunate.

[mr715]

15. Yes

There is a shadow behind his eyes, a tremor in voice. There is something broken in his old radio, and he can still play music on it, but it is buzzing. He's learned to adapt and go through the motions, but something isn't working right on the inside.

I watched his Bill Maher interview and it was legitimately troubling. He wasn't 'there'.

HOWEVER - this is not an excuse, he should resign. He isn't well enough to be invested with the power he has.

[ShazzieB]

25. Fetterman is definitely ill.

I agree 100%. I wish people would recognize that instead of calling him a liar, saying he was a "stealth" candidate, and all the other nasty things that have been said about him. It's an extremely frustrating situation, especially for Pennsylvania voters, but I think some people have been too quick to assume the worst about him.

I am 100% convinced that the man's brain is broken. He knows people in his party are upset with him but doesn't seen to be able to comprehend why. He should have resigned a long time ago, but his judgment is so damaged that he's not capable of realizing it. How sad and pathetic is that?

The situation sucks for everyone except the Republican senators he sometimes votes with. Is it maddening? Yes! But I don't think it's his fault. I think he's lost and confused, not evil.

[MineralMan]

28. Yes. I wish there were someone who

could convince him to resign.

[returnee]

69. He can be ill, which I think he is,...

…and a stealth candidate at the same time. Why would his political views change in this way because of a stroke? I have also read that his wife is the wizard behind the screen. She apparently sees no problem with the political shift.

[ColoringFool]

66. You don't live in Pennsylvania.

[Bettie]

67. I have known people whose entire personality was

changed after a stroke. I think that may be what happened to Fetterman.

[2naSalit]

14. No.

And He is not the only candidate on the ballot, there is ranked choice so he may not fare as well as many expect. The other candidates have actual experience in governing and I think Maine voters know it.

Just because a lot of out-of-staters want him doesn't mean he's the great messiah who is our only hope. Ranked choice is a new thing for me but I think I already like it more than I thought I would... not so much holding of the nose when choosing.

[mainer]

26. Out of staters DON'T want him. Mainers do.

And this sexting scandal isn't changing their minds:

Link to tweet

?s=20

“Personal growth is not a disqualification from public life,” said Valerie Tate of Belfast, who noted that Platner’s story of recovery from combat-related PTSD and associated issues reminded her of the “high-achieving, compassionate, hard-working people” she encountered during years in 12-step recovery programs.

“Graham and Amy have been doing the work,” Tate said. “That is not a scandal. That is integrity.”

Eileen and Paul Morelli said they are more concerned with policy issues that will actually affect people’s lives. “None of us is married to Graham Platner; gossip is gossip, even if they put it in The New York Times and Wall Street Journal,” they wrote.

Joline Godfrey of St. George said friends email her questioning her judgment in supporting Platner every time there are new stories, but she said the stakes are too high to let Collins win again.

“She effectively helped kill Roe v. Wade,” Godfrey said, referring to Collins’ votes to confirm Supreme Court justices appointed by President Donald Trump who overturned the constitutional right to abortion. “I am voting for Graham Platner. A flawed, smart, passionate — pro-democracy, weirdly feminist — advocate for justice and equity.”

Marilyn Boyer also said she still supports Platner. “This is a scandal only if the media make it into one,” she said.

https://www.midcoastvillager.com/news/will-the-latest-platner-scandal-stick-this-time/article_bfb048af-a354-4362-a43f-ae9d185c0791.html

Link to tweet

?s=20

[2naSalit]

30. Well...

We'll see in a couple weeks, won't we?

I don't know many folks here yet but I don't know anyone who's voting for him so...

We shall see.

He's got a steep climb with women's issues, that should be a consideration, I hope it is for a majority.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

51. "He's got a steep climb with women's issues..."

I doubt that will be a consideration for him.

[AZProgressive]

54. Susan Collins supported Kavanaugh who ended reproductive rights for women

I don't think Collins wants to go there as far as women's issues.

[markpkessinger]

31. "I want a senator, not a saint" is eerily reminiscent of Trump voters, who said . . .

. . . "I'm electing a President, not a choir boy."

Just saying.

[PatSeg]

35. Good point

And in Platner's case, it isn't just one problem, he seems to have a whole lot of issues that are unsettling.

[mainer]

38. It's also reminiscent of Bill Clinton

Purity tests mean throwing out the very people who can win for us and getting Trump instead.

[mr715]

45. Bill Clinton is probably the more apt analogy.

[yorkster]

61. Sure, if Bill Clinton had all the other baggage

that Platner has. All the deleted reddit posts, because we can be so sure that's all there is, right? I don't recall Bill Clinton making foolish comments about women essentially asking for it because they drank too much or dressed a certain way, or asking why black men don't tip, or saying a soldier killed in battle didn't deserve to live and on and on. It's endless with this guy, and a lot of Mainers feel we were cheated when Platner immediately dropped out of the debates after Janet Mills suspended her campaign.

The primary is June 9. Both David Costello and Janet Mills are highly qualified and on the ballot.
Obviously I'll vote for Platner if he wins the primary, but this is not a damn purity test.
Among other things, there's a major question about his judgment or lack thereof.

[Skittles]

43. yup

you got it

[MorbidButterflyTat]

50. And they didn't get either one.

[AZProgressive]

53. Most of DUers commenting on this don't live in Maine

If you look at polling when it comes to Maine voters Platner is leading.

[Nanjeanne]

17. I agree with Senators Chris Murphy and Bernie Sanders. Platner is a flawed candidate but the things that makes

him flawed - for me as a Democrat with an interest in policy - do not disqualify him from my support - or my vote if I were in Maine. He is standing up for exactly the policies I want to see exemplified in a Democratic administration. I do not believe he would have voted for Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court. I do not believe he would have voted for the tax cuts, or for the SAVE act. Just a few reasons why I would be voting for Platner and believe he can actually win in Maine.

[leftstreet]

18. +1

[MineralMan]

23. Everyone is flawed. Everyone.

I don't vote in Maine. If I did, I'd be voting for whichever Democratic candidate I thought had the best chance to show Collins the door. Period.

[mr715]

46. Not I. I am without flaw.

[MineralMan]

47. Good to hear!

[EdmondDantes_]

19. Not really

Franken touched multiple women without their consent.

Planter's sexting, while poor judgement, isn't about consent.

When Franken resigned he was replaced with a Democrat who is functionally the same. If Platner drops out (which no one is calling for him to do over the sexting), we would still have an opportunity to win the seat, but far from a certainty as was a Democrat replacing Franken.

But that said, Platner has a lot of baggage and not all of us are comfortable looking past it. There are principles that outrank party. Swalwell had to go regardless of implications in the House for example.

[LisaL]

37. Franken denied doing it.

NT

[BlueTsunami2018]

22. The party leaders didn't want him in the first place.

They’re more than happy to try to push Platner out. He’s too “radical” for them. Talking about class consciousness issues, criticizing Israel’s horrific actions in Gaza and the surrounding region, calling for wealth taxes, really going after big oil and calling for universal healthcare just aren’t things they’re interested in or advocate for.

They don’t want to ruffle the feathers they make their nests with. Bottom line.

[mr715]

24. And the party leaders found someone to run.

That someone had an exemplary resume, good politics, a record of winning in Maine, and name recognition. Gov. Mills looked like a sure win on paper, especially given that Graham Platner had no history in politics and had many, shall we say, problematic issues.

However, the campaign started, polling happened, and the writing has been on the wall. Graham Platner and his speaking won people over. Sufficiently many to have exhausted Janet Mills' campaign apparatus and force her to suspend her campaign.

Now, this tells us something about what is motivating voters and some skills/posture that Gov. Mills intrinsically lacks. And they appear to be what is motivating Maine democrats.

[Jughead]

27. No adultery?

I have no problem

[mainer]

29. Is sending women text messages the same as adultery?

How did we get here, anyway?

[2naSalit]

32. I have yet to see him...

Express any kind of respect for women and that might be a silent problem that women have had to keep their mouths shut about abusive male behavior and could affect his vote tally.

We shall see. The teevee is good at telling us what to think and how to act, perhaps the voting public is learning the difference between the teevee and RL.

[mainer]

36. I've seen no abusive behavior

If you have proof, share it.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

56. Are you married? Ask your wife.

Sexting. Not innocent "text messages." Why minimize it?

"Sexting is sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages, photographs, or videos, primarily between mobile phones. It may also include the use of a computer or any digital device."


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexting

[mainer]

59. I'm a woman

Fyi

[Fil1957]

40. If it's just this "scandal", it won't be much of a problem for Platner. However, if there's a reason to be worried, it

would be the possibility of future revelations. If there are none, Platner's golden.

[LisaL]

41. What are the chances of no more revelations?

I'd guess not good.

[H2O Man]

42. Recommended.

Just my opinion, but I don't trust people that attack Democratic Party candidates (or elected officials). Of course I encounter some folks who do so in my everyday life. By no coincidence, 99.9999% of them are maga cult members, and so I recognize there is nothing of value in what they say. I also see them on various internet sites, and most of them I know are maga cult members, and I assume the others are maga cult members, too.

I'm less comfortable when people attack a Democratic candidate on this forum. I'm not saying there is the influx of non-Democrats that have popped up around election time ever since I joined 20+ years ago. Now, I'm fine with expressing disagreements with our elected officials, but I do notice certain patterns in things people -- new and old -- post here. A tree is known by its fruit, I suppose.

[BurnDoubt]

44. "Pervs have been broken...

it’s your play, Montana…..”
….or…..
“Everybody’s got something to hide except for Me and My Monkey…….”
If you’re still buying Teslas, Apple, Amazon, your Purity Test already has pecker-tracks all over it.
Personally, I think it would be a great idea to call all their correspondence “work product”, and make it all available to all the media, and we could see behind the “godly facade".

[Cosmocat]

55. They are two different situations AND different times

Franken was peak Democratic rolloverism.

Hated it at the time with a passion.

He wasn't perfect, but he was the kind of fighter this party needs, the "incident" was a long past moment in time that was not unusual for that time and not even all that out of place in that moment. And, it was pure ratfuckery at its core.

Plantar had enough baggage already, but if this situation is true it is its (along with the prior baggage) WAY worse than what Franken did.

But, standards are now so low, it would be another type of capitulation to try to make a move on him.

The primary cake is all but completely baked, past the point of being able to go with one of the other candidate and have any reasonable shot at taking Collins now.

As bad as his baggage is at this point, it still does not rise to the level of basically surrendering a run at Collins and a shot at the getting the senate - things are FAR too grave to indulge it unless he has even worse under the hood.

[AZProgressive]

58. I agree they are different situations and different times

When the issue with Al Franken came up the Republicans were nominating Roy Moore who had his own issues of sexual misconduct and I don't think the Democrats could afford looking like hypocrites on the issue at the time and he lost and Democrats replaced Franken with another Democrat.

I actually think it is disrespectful to Platner to compare him to Franken unless the sexting was unwanted by the other women.

[LAS14]

60. I was much reassured by an interview...

... with Platner in the NYT magazine section recently (maybe this weekend... I had 3 Sunday times to go through). He had excellent answers to the common complaints about him. I urge doubters to seek it out and read it.

Edit: The interview had to have happened before the Times and Journal stories were published.

[MichMan]

62. They are quite similar in that neither had any type of experience holding office before they ran for the US Senate

[GPV]

63. No, it's not. Forget the sexting, the Nazi tattoo and the

comments that women should handle themselves better in order to avoid sexual assault should have sunk Platner from the beginning. I'm a huge fan of Bernie and Elizabeth, but I still can't believe they overlooked those two things. It's one thing to say that "perfect is the enemy of the good," quite another to say that "anything goes."

Signed, a Maine woman who knows how to handle herself around elections.

[betsuni]

64. No, Franken was accused, Jane Mayer concluded the story was "full of holes."

No accuser with Platner.

Wonder how Biden's accuser is doing in Russia.

[Nanjeanne]

68. Here's what I do know...

Platner has not done:

Committed a felony.

Assaulted anyone..

Raped someone.

Trafficked a human being.

Trafficked drugs.

Fucked a child.

Appeared on the Epstein client list.

Accepted gold bars from a foreign government.

Driven a car off a bridge and left someone to drown.

Built a career helping corporations figure out how to fire people more efficiently.

Maintained a relationship with a suspected foreign intelligence operative while sitting on an intelligence committee.

Siphoned public money into offshore accounts.

Lobbied for a foreign government while holding elected office.

Voted to fund a genocide and called it foreign policy.

Taken unlimited donor money from the same class of people he claims to oppose.

Voted to cut Social Security while accepting checks from private equity.

Voted to deregulate the financial industry and then accepted speaking fees from the financial industry.

Voted for the Iraq War and then pivoted to calling himself an antiwar candidate.

Used their office to enrich their family members.

Been credibly accused of insider trading while serving on a committee that oversees the industry they traded in.

And more…