BTW, Maine is home to a number of good, liberal colleges. That's partly why it's mostly blue. It's the old money down in the Kennebunkport area that keeps returning Collins to the Senate.

And even some here on DU jumped on that bandwagon and started in on the Platner bashing, they started. It's shocking to me that people can't see through this to the toxic right wing people who are perpetrating it.

If we're arguing about it on Democratic Underground, it's a very, very effective election disruption effort.

When will we learn? I'm afraid we may never learn.

DUers are allowed to debate the strengths and weaknesses of Democratic candidates who are running in Democratic primaries?

Fortunately, we are also allowed to argue that the dissing of candidates is sometimes part of some larger campaign to tarnish them.

That's what makes DU special. We all get to have our say. I hope that never changes.

somewhat more relaxed, generally.

The primary is effectively over, the repetition of attacks are only weakening our democratic candidate

Particularly the strengths of one's preferred candidate, rather than only focusing on bashing the candidate who seems very likely to be the nominee.

n.b. If I lived in Maine, which has RCV, I would rank Platner last .... but at this late stage of the primary cycle I am sick to death of the bashing of the guy. Maine Dems who don't like him don't have to rank him first. If enough of them convince enough of their local friends and relatives ... who knows, maybe he WON'T be the nominee! But outside of most DUers (who I don't fully understand on this point), and others known to me as dedicated Democrats ... I do suspect foul play when someone claims to be a Dem but seems to be focused on undermining a Democratic candidate, without any substantive discussion of the Democratic alternatives. I do believe that is why some are frustrated that the rules are not stricter in this area. Not that I have any place to suggest otherwise - just that I understand it.

Or is GD acceptable?

The Way Forward is essentially a placeholder for what will eventually become Primaries 2026. It won't be long after the mid-terms before the focus turns to the 2026 presidential primaries, and obviously those primaries are going to be wide open this time around on both sides of the aisle. Just as we have in previous years with contested Democratic presidential primaries, we will have a separate forum for those discussions, and people won't be allowed to post threads on that topic outside of the Primaries 2026 forum. But we are not there yet.

Once the Maine primary is officially called on Tuesday, DUers will not be able to undermine the ongoing campaign of the winning candidate. Until then everything is fair game (within the DU rules of course). To be honest, I think these past few weeks have been a fairly good reminder for DU members that contested primaries can get nasty, and people should be prepared to read criticisms they don't necessarily want to read. Of course, people also need to be prepared to move on once nominees have been chosen, with the overall goal of defeating Republicans. That's the way we've always done it on DU, and we're not changing things going forward.

So….

Can't say I've seen any of that myself, but feel free to send me a DU Mail message about it rather than continuing to kick this contentious pre-primary thread, since the primary is now over.

It's like two states in one. Along the coast it's tourism and commercial fishing. The interior is sparsely populated and tends to be logging and hunting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine

...and it is painfully obvious. Too conveniently timed to be genuine. While I'd like it to be the case, I'm afraid republicans don't have the market cornered on low information voters.

tells me just how insidious this disruption campaign has been. So, are we all that smart? It sure doesn't look like we are, really.

At this point, I am expecting to see Susan Collins back in the Senate chambers next year. More's the freaking pity.

Because then you can't bring up negative things like Trump being a criminal. Or is it only ratfucking when it's against a candidate you don't like?

Calling people who have a problem with a guy who had a bunch of red flags through his history low information is weird and definitely not a convincing argument to ignore problems.

But I have never seen that, only negative comments about the guy polling at 70%

Copy/paste doesn’t count

People are quietly starving to death in there homes because of republicans policies and you are assisting them

NT

although we rarely hear those other candidates mentioned.

The GE in November is an entirely different story.

in the general election. Otherwise Trump would have never been elected.

(and remember, every "smear" starts with something real ... but the smear spreads it and makes it appear larger than it really is)

Never the candidate him or herself. Got it.

A mob doesn't stop and think. A mob doesn't take time to seek more information or put into context. A mob doesn't consider the human capacity for transformation. A mob doesn't call for deeper investigation of reports.

No. A mob grows on it's own momentum. Emotional contagion takes hold. As the mob forms people are thoughtlessly pulled in. As more join the mob, it's the classic snowball. If all these people are out there with pitchforks and torches, there MUST be a damn good reason. No need to stop, think, learn more, or evaluate.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221285435

about "low information."

It's labelling with the worst of the worst accusations. Racist. Misogynist. Rape apologist. Nazi for God's sake! I call that smearing.

It's judge and jury crucifying which is bad enough but a closer look reveals that often the accusations don't match with Platner's actual words.

And this is why his actual words are not often quoted. Because then people can make up their own minds. Instead, if they don't bother to look, they'll take at face value the horrible and false characterizations of others especially when they are repeated over and over.

The rat****** (I hate that word but it's the most potent and applicable) was done by the GQP and its operatives and associate groups.The perusal of thousands of Reddit comments, the careful selection of a few that may be open to misinterpretation as against Democratic values, and then, once buy-in was achieved, would open a flood of accusations and revulsion - by Democrats themselves. Some more hastiily and eagerly than others and I will leave it at that.

It was a master class in how Democrats eat their own - with the assistance of GQP rat....

That it seems to be working and the Senate regaining lost is making me want to cry.

For the same reason.

Doesn't make any of it untrue.

Or true.

But the timing is pretty much SOP.

NT

You'd want to knock him out before the starting gate.

Water in the 40s. A full wetsuit with chicken vest, boots and gloves didn't help much.

Mainers need to vote out "Concerned" Collins. If they get a flawed candidate too bad. He'll come around and be better than that Trump rubber stamper. He has his wits about him which is more than we can say about the senators from PA or AL or FL.

If you ever get a chance to see it, take it.

Nobody can honestly tell you what is going to happen on Tuesday. Maine is very difficult to poll, they have an independent streak and they don't listen to outside noise.

at this point. I'm disappointed that I have missed being in two of our 50 states. But, both are remote for me, and I'm not travelling much any longer.

My oldest son was married in Maine. Our family spent almost two weeks celebrating and exploring.

As for Mainers? The decision is theirs to make and if that independent streak holds, they'll vote for Platner. They've had his back despite all the noise and churn because thus far they've embraced the man as one of their own and believe him when he says the trust is mutual.

He's put in the work. He's criss-crossed the state to get his message of people power out there. Voters have responded to the call with enthusiasm, even love.

If this is a change election (which I think it is), then Platner with all his warts and history will win this thing.

We'll know the answer shortly.

Great memories of Maine. My brother now lives in Portland. I don't get over there often enough. My brother says his neck of the woods is pretty blue, but there are some red, red areas just like New Hampshire where I now live.

Did you see the grave with the wolf stone (referred to by some as the witch stone)?

Once I get my pile of fried clams, I'm a happy camper. On edit: I googled it and it appears I've gone right by it.

with cole slaw, french fries/onion rings, and hot rolls with butter.

I live in Maine....I'n lucky that way

The interior is very rural and isolated, wilderness in parts. The coast can be busy but gorgeous. Acadia on all the trips. Climbed Mt. Katahdin on the Knife Edge Trail (truly is a knife edge!), visited Moosehead and the Rangeley Lakes.

I've been in 38 states and Maine is one of the most beautiful. Acadia is a gem.

People from away don't hold much water.
Platner is a local.
What I'm sensing is the purity test of Democratic altruism on display.
The irony is that purists generally get played. After all, who or what is actually pure?
Republican Mainers are as stubborn as Democratic Mainers. Traditions are hard to break.
Mainers complain about the tourists but recognize their economic value.
Those in the Townships and off the coast don't experience the vibrancy of the tourists.
But their parents and the old money parents always voted Republican because they are anti taxes.
Fishermen complain about bait costs and have to blame someone or something.
The southern coastline has grown dynamically with a population of wealthy, educated southerners, everybody is a southerner.
They elected Mills. But Angus King knows his state. He accommodates. He knows the locals.
Platner is the soup de jour of the media day.
Mainers know the cut of his jib.
They will decide because he has called them all out on local issues.

NT

n/t

Skied a couple times at Sunday River and have relatives in Andover.

Cool state, but too cold and snowy in winter. Helping shovel snow off my relatives roof was enough to convince me "nice place to visit".

Make me eligible to opine on Maine politics.

🤫

You don't need 10 bucks to have an opinion.

It was in the 90s and I still think about it all the time. Beautiful place.

I have fond memories of the beauty and the people I met.
Being from California, I had never seen fall colors like I did in Maine.

vacations and I didnt want to leave. Locals were great. Seems like it would be a little isolated in the winter(im a city kid). I dont think I would mind that isolation now. Haha.

His ship was in Bath naval shipyard getting ready for deployment to Vietnam.
The winter was isolated. We drove up from New York in September, the fall colors were amazing. I still remember them over fifty years later.

I grew up in Wilton near Farmington in western hills.

I'm walking on the beach near Ogunquit, where it's in the 70's and about to rain.

Many of us in Massachusetts go to Maine all summer. We used to call New Hampshire our second home, but when we aged out of skiing we switched to Maine.

I vote in Massachusetts, but if I voted in Maine and they said a spatula was the Democratic candidate, it would get my vote. Let's just win the damn seat.

Caribou and Loring Air Force Base. I ate my first venison there. Of course, I was little and oblivious to how hard it is to get there. My brother graduated from Limestone High School.

Seriously it's up to Mainers to decide. I have some issues with him but as an Illinoisan it doesn't matter. As we need every seat we can get I'm trying to give him a chance. The latest attack on him reeks of ratfucking.

The cheaters always find a way to win.

Not yet east of Bar Harbor, or the wilderness north of Baxter State Park.
A very beautiful place.
Saw my first Moose there

Came back when Montana was taken over by magatness, decided to just go to my other home... and vote collins out.

Waiting for primary results hoping for the best.

And my niece married a guy from Falmouth, and they settled in Cape Elizabeth, so we still get there every once in a while. He owns two lovely boutique hotels in Portland, so always stay at one, and we love the city of Portland. Great foodie town now. My husband has run the Portland marathon twice, so we really know the city well now. We will be going next May for great nephews Bar Mitzvah. Will likely spend a few days there on both sides of that event.

A lot of newcomers have moved there since Covid, so hopefully will make a difference in November.

Augusta, Portland, and the Southern Maine Coast are progressive. Most of the rest of Maine is very rural and very red.

Look at this map from the 2020 Senate Election Results: https://www.cnn.com/election/2020/results/state/maine/senate

Senate race is state wide, so it doesn’t matter if they all moved to the progressive parts of the state.

Tried to visit local restaurants and bars, not chains. All were wonderful. I’d like to see Acadia one more time before I die. I totally love the entire state.

Bangor and then Portland the next day. Part of a New England road trip. Up the mountains and down the coast.

We traveled through Canada to get there, back in the days when border crossing was much more casual.

Visited a friend's grandparents, cycled hundreds of miles, climbed Mt Katahdin, ate the best seafood I have ever had. A very beautiful state.

Never discussed politics with anyone while there and this was long enough ago it probably would not be relevant to today's environment.

Met a family member at Katahdin after he finished the AT (through hiker). Spent the night in a lovely hotel with a Maine cabin ambience and fresh honey.

Traveled their back in the 80s with a friend and her family, 4 women in a rental car on a long drive to see the lighthouse and little foxes at Bar Harbor / Acadia after some autumn leaf sightseeing.

Refreshing and intriguing place.

That has been my advice, as well.

Saw Bernie in the airport in Burlington, our travel guide spoke with him. Lovely trip, gorgeous scenery, yummy lobster.

I'm soaking in it! We moved up here last year. THE nicest people you'll ever meet, hands down. And I'm in a very red area, too.

Number of people discussing Platner up here...zero. He'll win the primary and, imo, the election.

goes through Maine. Does that count?

Who emigrated to Oz from Maine over thirty years ago. Does that count?

Once on a family vacation at around 16.
The other a day off while on business in Boston.
Mostly just SE Maine on the coast, near Kennebunk both times.
Very nice coastline & cheap lobster in the eateries, but I don't remember much else about it.

But I kinda like the music.

they will come through!!

First time was cruising the coast aboard a windjammer, for several days. Off Rockland, ME

Other times I have been to WoodenBoat School in Brooklin, ME, for courses in rigging, woodworking, and engine maintenance. The Brooklin library displays the works of writer EB White (Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little) who had a summer residence there. His son Joel was a big name in small boat design.

Several times. Even got a shot of twin moose calves on the way to the Allagash. Have several friends from ME and one who's there now setting up his camper on his seaside blueberry plot. Normally a great place to get away from everything. To bad it's become the center of everything.

Visited Boston and went through Vermont to get to Canada. But never went to Maine - the scenery looks beautiful from what I have seen.

When I lived in Cambridge, we went up on a couple of long weekends to Ogunquit Beach and Moody/Wells. We had a lot of rain one of those weekends; the other was hot and I actually got in the water. It was fiercely cold.

Later that year, we spent a long New Year's weekend in Belfast, with my husband's college roommate & his wife at his mother's home. It was so cold that one of the dogs caught a frisbee in its mouth and the disc broke in half.

It really is a pretty place. Our friends went camping in the Alagash on their honeymoon; I have heard that if you go into the Alagash, you check in and if you are not back out in a certain number of days, search parties go out. I suspect that is apocryphal but it is still amusing.

Beautiful and rocky but the water is freezing. I stayed with friends on a little island one time in the other time, I was kid with family doing tourist things

I was so happy to come home, but it was very lovely and I liked the people, though they are very different from Hawaiʻi.

I love that state.

Portland, Ogunquit, Freeport, York, Oxford Plains...

I travel from upstate NY. Sometimes I took I95 up, and sometimes I took secondary roads through Vermont and New Hampshire.

I'm very fond of Portland especially.

Vacationed at Point Sebago a number of years ago.

DownEast Edibles are 10mg each. Beautiful Coastline. Best Lobstah anywhere.
Holy Donuts! They are special. Never been to Katahdin, but hope too hike her soon.

People might be arguing over nothing

That London is in Canada. I know where London is. Does Canada even really exist?

We did a lot of vacationing in New England: NH, V, Mass, and NYS (The Adirondacks [summer ski lift ride], Howe Caverns 2xs, Coming Glass, Herkimer Diamonds). Maybe a day trip to RI.

Maine - Lovely forests. We might have gone to a rocky beach. Or I should say we definitely went to a rocky beach not sure where.

Just looked at a map.... Never looked that closely; wow, what a craggy, rugged coastline!!

And Mainer's will do their thing. Hopefully it'll work out for us Dems, and if him - he'll keep improving and learning (especially about women).

A friend that I worked with moved up there in 2021. His wife has a serious alcohol problem which makes visiting them difficult, but they live on MDI. So we went to Acadia a few times and checked out the town. Had popovers at a place that uses the money to help the needy.... The Common Good I think. I visited my friend in the winter and in the summer. Everything shuts down in the winter and it's kind of depressing. I guess that's why a lot of people have summer homes.