Our community hit an important milestone this week - $10m raised for battleground candidates and party committees - thank you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On January 6, Bela Fleck cancelled his appearance at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra. Here is what he wrote on Instagram: "I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The Kennedy Center. Performing there has become charged and political, at an institution where the focus should be on the music.
I look forward to playing with the NSO another time in the future when we can together share and celebrate art."
While I generally agree with Simon about candidate vetting, the new world order should have everyone not judging what happens between adults as automatically a no-go. Look at the current regime and all their sins.
I think in the past the problem wasn't entirely one of morals - in our modern culture, every couple is entitled to their own arrangement and rules - it was (WAS does heavily lifting here) a possible question of exposure to blackmailing. To compromise.
But with people living their lives online everything is at the ready.
Something that is illegal is altogether another thing (and even that shame/political consequence has now faded).
Clinton and Monica scandal vs Eliot Spitzer and his pay-for-sex scandal.
I think it's more that it's a drip, drip, drip of "scandals". Some more serious than others, in my opinion. Personally, as long as the texts weren't of a harassing nature, I believe it is between Platner and his wife. But part of running for office is all the skeletons have the potential to come out. Will Maine vote for him? I guess we will see.
I agree. What is generally seen as immorality pales in the face of the concentrated destruction of our democratic system. Clinton was (imo) a 'tomcat', basically without morals - BUT he left the US in better financial position than he found it! Whereas after the current regime we have to totally fix everything - our economy, our laws, rein in our SCOTUS (term limits? a larger Court? a set of ethics rules (with consequences)? plus a larger and much longer struggle to rebuild our reputation in the world at large.
The thing that struck me most about this story was the betrayal. I mean his wife is the one that brings the sexting story to the campaign so it can be vetted! Talk about character.
Maine voters will get to determine it such behavior is disqualifying versus an incumbent with many "concerns" and no spine.
As far as Plattner goes, I think we need to give people the benefit of evolving. Isn't that what life is supposed to be about? Learning from mistakes and doing better? So he was a young, sexting, tatooing, survivor of military service in a war zone. He grew up. He has admitted mistakes. Not "Mistakes were Made." He took responsibility for his actions. I like that in an elected.
I think for some it is how long it took Platner to cover up the tattoo that is the most troubling. The CNN article mentions that there are posts from 2019 that undercut his argument that he didn't know what the tattoo resembled or what it meant. I can't access the full CNN article so I don't know what the full article states. I say this with respect to everyone and I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion. I got blocked (first time) by someone here for saying something similar. So, I hope I do not offend anyone with this comment. We can agree to disagree. I just want Collins out but dammit that woman always seems to slither back into the Senate.
agree with you re: tattoo. as I understand the sexting situation, it's not about, say, an affair between consenting adults with spouse's knowledge. sexting multiple 'targets' is a form of unwanted attention, if not harrassment - during a campaign !!?? it speaks to non valuing of women and some kind of needy ego. viable? I don't think so. any way he can be replaced at this point?
Oh Lord. I assumed the sexting was done without the wife knowing. With or without the wife's knowledge, in my opinion, that would be still be between them. But if the sexting was done as you understand it, it's gross and I agree with you completely. This is all before the primary. What's next? From what I understand there are at least two other candidates running.
that's what sexting is, as I understand it - but I'm going to reread the article. the wife was aware of it and said she accepts her husband for who he is [my phrasing]. but my understanding is he 'sexted' multiple women. in this era of Rs running candidates in D races, he needs to be gone asap.
I haven't been closely following Plattner, but from the articles I've read this morning, his wife did the right thing disclosing this highly personal thing to make sure the campaign knew about it, only to have it leaked to the press.
I'm way older than Plattner but have had an active online presence for decades now. Have I emailed or texted things I would find highly embarrassing now? I sure have. I've also watched Watergate, Gary Hart, John Dean, Kitty Dukakis, Walter Mondale, Bill Clinton deal with embarrassments in different ways and with different outcomes. And then there is the creep in the Oval now and his thugs and vulgars. Whole other ballgame.
i remember a consultant saying when he looked at a campaign, he always asked the candidate if there was anything that might come out; they always lied to him, and it always came out....might have been ed rollins.
I agree with you but the sexting was just a few years ago. I think it was right after they got married. But if his wife has forgiven him then that is between them. He is working to become a better person after being fucked up in a stupid war where his friends died. I admire his effort.
I was at an early 2028 Presidential Candidate forum, where JD Vance barely met the qualifications. He was financially the weakest of all the candidates, and his polling just barely made him eligible to participate.
I was moderating and right to his bearded, gerbil-cheeked face yelled at him: "JD, YOU DON'T HAVE THE CARDS! YOU DON'T HAVE THE CARDS, JD!"
We are in an existential fight to save our democracy.
Susan Collins has sided, again and again, with the forces determined to weaken it. She must be defeated.
And if the last few years have taught us anything, it is this: the left has to stop flinching. The panic. The hand-wringing. The bed-wetting. The performative weakness. It is killing us,
Over and over again.
Yes, the Platner allegations are a distraction. Fine. They’re here. We deal with them. But we do not lose focus.
I will gladly push through a fucking sexting scandal if the alternative is handing Susan Collins another term.
Double your resolve.
Double your support.
Show people we know what matters. Show them we have discipline. Show them we have focus. Show them we know how to win.
To be clear, when something like this happens, rather than wringing our hands and contemplating what could go wrong, we should money bomb him. Inoculate him on this.
Concern about about Nazi tattoos, online comments about women and rape, and sending sexually explicit messages to several women while married is not "wringing our hands". These are legitimate concerns. If Platner was a Republican and , you'd likely be condemning him.
Further, everyone was fawning over Fetterman and look how that turned out. I certainly hope that Platner doesn't turn out to be another Fetterman but I don't understand the double-standard and hypocrisy that Nazi tattoos are bad when it's Hegseth sporting them but for the new darling of the left, it's referred to as hand-wringing to be concerned. Not to mention that it was only when it was revealed Platner had that tattoo that he removed it. It didn't seem to bother him for many years.
Fetterman has brain damage. Regardless, I would vote for him over any Republican at this point because of the Federal Bench. Platner maybe a lousy husband as I thought Clinton was but their wives disagree
It is disappointing to me that those who are concerned about these issues with Platner turns into we are wringing our hands. I looked up what exactly Totenkopf represented. It was what the SS wore - the SS. Not that any Nazi symbol is any better but the SS and he only covered it up in 2025? Not to mention all the other stuff and yet somehow Platner is the victim? Boy, I wonder if Elizabeth Warren regrets her endorsement now. I am not nor have I ever been part of a circular firing squad but some of these issues are quite serious in my opinion. I guess the best argument would be maybe Platner truly regrets all these actions and we can hope he won't be another Fetterman, Manchin, Sinema or Trump and we do know what Collins will be in the Senate. Collins is a rubber-stamp for Trump who is the reason we have lost the right to choose, people are literally disappearing, grand scale corruption and losing many other rights. I believe attacking those who disagree with us is not helpful. We are not the enemy here. We may disagree on what the best course would be and honestly, it's up to the people in Maine now. Also, I hope I am not blocked bc I am truly coming from a good place as I am sure most of are here. These are legitimate concerns.
And that's exactly part of my beef. Platner edged out Janet Mills who has political experience and guts. Perhaps if the people of Maine had been less willing to overlook a Nazi tattoo and comments about rape, Mills would be the nominee. Just musing...
my point is there's still time, Mills should be the candidate. she is known, she can do it. Remember Anderson Clayton told us how they cut off a fake candidate in NC? re: Platner, still too many unknowns - what was he doing between leaving military and higher education program and returning to Maine?
I work with college kids. I have learned to not judge them for the things they do or say that are different than what was thought proper when I was there age.
I don't understand what is judgemental about my comment. When “standards” violate my core principles, I push back. Just as you have. And that's ok with me.
See my comments about Platner somewhere in this thread. I'm no longer enthusiastic about him, as he's sounding more and more like a wild card. Poor judgement with the tattoo and a breech of trust with his wife.
I believe he also made comments about rural Americans. Disagree or not with those comments, pretty sure Collins will be bringing them up. But I am not 100% sure he made those comments and I am too weary to look it up. Good Lord, what will come out AFTER the primary?
He finally said out loud what was always true: the purpose of the ballroom is a place for him to be crowned president-for-life, just like his idols Putin and Xi. We need to stop minimizing this by referring to it as a "vanity project" and to just say it: Trump will be gone by January 20, 2029 if not sooner because we will not tolerate it. He will leave vertically, or he will leave horizontally, or he will leave in chunks but he will be leaving. Period. I don't want to hear the timid, "but what if he won't leave..."
He has no intention of leaving and never did. That was true on election day and is still true. And we have no intention of putting up with this bs. If we can do it non-violently, great! Though the reality is in all the color revolutions people were killed. Just like in Minneapolis. Non-violent protesters murdered there. If it takes lighting a bunch of shit on fire, then it does.
For anyone who wants to be shocked at what I wrote, then please don't get all proud about the American War of Independence this Fourth of July. I'm a proud member of the No Kings movement, but let's remember it was not peaceful protest that got us no king in the first place. It's not that I want violence. It's that I believe one has to consider that it it might come down to a choice of war or tyranny. Just like in Ukraine.
100% he is going to crawl in that bunker with some military/hegseth and dare anyone to get him out. that is what the slush fund was for: his personal army! he will have everything he needs to survive for awhile. and the bunker will have to be bombed. just like hitler. and he will make don jr his vp. or whichever child is the most criminal.
Tomorrow the NM State legislature will hold its first public hearing about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, including sex trafficking. It’s part of a bipartisan investigatory subcommittee of the NM State House of Representatives called The Truth Commission that is focused on the illegal activities that occurred at Zorro Ranch in Stanley, NM. This commission has subpoena powers as a “temporary, non-judicial body established to investigate and report on past human rights violations or atrocities. Its main goals are to uncover the truth, acknowledge the scale of abuses, provide a platform for victims' voices, with recommendations for reforms to prevent future violence and promote reconciliation.” This hearing starts at 2 pm Mountain Time at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe and will be on live stream (local PBS station and KOAT-TV, the local ABC television affiliate in Albuquerque).
TEN MILLION DOLLARS, y'all! Woo hoo! Thank you Simon for helping us invest our political philanthropy in races and candidates who matter. I feel very proud of us. <3
Postcards today. My own back garden is a mess. Everything froze in Orlando this year, and much of what I had planted died or is just recovering. Consequently, it’s full of weeds. The worst part is I have a banana tree that had 3 developing bunches (probably ~100 bananas), and those stems were completely killed. The tree is recovering, but still. It’s why you don’t place tariffs on bananas.
Maybe I’ll get out there later on and try to reclaim something.
Thanks for this, Leon. It explains some but not all of her vetoes. I thought the comment about some of her vetoes were based on her congressional experience was interesting. Julie
Simon, I follow quite a few pro-democracy folks on Substack, but Hopium - you and this incredible community - are #1 by a mile. The can-do, patriotic spirit here, under your leadership, is what keeps me going on days where it all feels hopeless.
Thank you Simon for dedicating yourself to this amazing project, and thank you to all here who are fighting to save our democracy and our country. I’m proud to be a member.
Simon, Your work is priceless, but the $10M carries great meaning too. It demonstrates what a relatively small group can do when the members are committed to this nation's values. About Platner: I wish every Democratic candidate was pure as the driven snow, and yet, somehow, everyone has warts. The populist message resonates, and Americans are inured to digital age scandals. I suspect that, try as they may, the extremists will not get a great deal of traction over "sextings." Anyway, Graham is what we've got, and we surely do want to defeat Collins, so I'm down with him!!
Regarding Platner: I'm not in Maine but overall I've been impressed with his candidacy. I was troubled by the tattoo, though. I recently had a conversation with my 38 year old daughter whose opinion is that Platner's Nazi tattoo should be automatically disqualifying. My feeling was that of all the stupid things one could do as a young, damaged person, why did Platner choose to get a tattoo associated with white supremacists? It troubles me. I also read the NYT interview. And now the "sexting", which to me signals a significant breech of trust with his wife that could continue into his work should he be elected.
I defended him recently in a thread where a subscriber here expressed concerns about him - that she is worried about him turning into another Fetterman. I now have come around to being less than enthused about his candidacy. If there are Democraric Maine voters who are thinking the same way, it's going to hard to vote for someone concerning versus an also concerning incumbent.
The recent Platner revelations have also raised my concern level. Not sure I would vote for him depending on a continued examination of his character. I don’t like Dems getting stuck with problem men. In the meantime maybe another candidate on the ballot now can make a last minute run in Maine?
David Costello is also running, polling at 3%. Janet Mills' name is still on the ballot although she suspended her campaign on April 30, because it was after the deadline of 70 days before the election. Until Mills officially withdraws from the election by notifying the Secretary of State, her votes will be counted. Andrea LaFlamme is a declared Write-in Candidate on the Democratic ballot, for a total of four choices including Platner.
Platner has a 9% lead over Collins in the Pine Tree State Poll published May 27, 2026.
Yes. It was interesting. I liked what he said about the issues working people care about. I also understand where he's coming from when he responds to critics who say he's not really a working class guy - his grandfather was a famous Cornell educated architect and his father was an attorney - he and his wife have a combined income of around $50,000 a year. Granted, he had the opportunity to study and be financially successful and he chose a military career. All he had for work experience was four tours of duty in Iraq (and Afghanistan? Not sure) and he made a life for himself as an oyster fisherman.
As I've said before, young people take foolish risks and say and do stupid things but why this particularly stupid thing of getting a Nazi tattoo that he didn't remove until he had to? Also, most other people who did stupid things in their youth don't run for high public office.
Thanks for the stomach turn, Simon. His pic of kissing the flag is vile. Does he not know that that act is unacceptable? Wonderful news about the Kennedy Center. Now if the Florida judge will find the whole IRS and slush fund fraud.
Important update about Platner. We must know when these men are cheating on their wives. It’s a real signal to their ethics, morality, trustworthiness, and honesty in a public service office that brings money and power. Are there any faithful, truthful and ethical men running in Maine? Is this the best Dems can put forth against a woman who is failing in health and can barely produce speech that is coherent and whose concerns are whatever Trump wants, he gets? This is nuts. We, the People must choose better. This isn’t family values. This is the soul of our country, withering under the weight of lies, greed, abhorrent behavior over and over again. No wonder our Democracy is teetering into collapse. Scoundrels, cheaters, liars, financial fraudsters, and power hungry candidates, and especially those who currently hold public offices , are destroying our country. The alarms are screaming, people. We are the key, not them.
Here's an action I think your readers should know about that is time sensitive. It comes from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and includes links to submit a comment about Trump's Arch. Public Comment Deadline: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at noon ET
Thanks, Cheryl. I submited these written comments in opposition to the arch.
I am writing to the National Capital Planning Commission to express opposition to the proposed New Monumental Arch. I was born, lived, worked, and educated in the Washington Metropolitan Area (from grade school to Montgomery College). Basing the proposed structure on the Paris' Arc de Triomphe, its over-sized stature, and the corresponding obstruction of historic views makes it a poor fit for the Nation's Capital. I also believe it is an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars. Furthermore, there are ongoing legal challenges stating that congressional authorization is required to build it on the federally-protected land. Any of these reasons is enough to disapprove the proposal, and there seems to be no valid reason to construct the arch.
Thank you for providing the opportunity to submit my comments.
Here’s another argument from the NYT June 6, 2026. “Trump’s proposed 250-foot arch would sit in the paths of flights in and out of Reagan National Airport. That could complicate Washington’s already-congested airspace.”
Thanks so much for posting this. I'm going to share it on my FB page. Here is what I wrote: "I am very much against the construction of this Arch. It is out of proportion to its setting in every negative way: much too massive and high, destroying the symmetry of land that includes the classic and beloved Lincoln Memorial, and marring the beauty and solemnity of Arlington National Cemetery. It is not about American ideals or contemplation of the sacrifice of our military in defense of our democracy, but rather is a glorification of one person, Trump. This arch should NOT be built. Thank you.
1) $10M raised!
2) Trump cancels music party for 250th.
3) Trump gives up the fight to keep his name on Kennedy center, because he can't get real entertainment there either.
Take the wins, Baby.
Thanks to all the contributors and contributions. That's a huge accomplishment.
Keep pushing. Have a nice Sunday, y'all.
On January 6, Bela Fleck cancelled his appearance at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra. Here is what he wrote on Instagram: "I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The Kennedy Center. Performing there has become charged and political, at an institution where the focus should be on the music.
I look forward to playing with the NSO another time in the future when we can together share and celebrate art."
While I generally agree with Simon about candidate vetting, the new world order should have everyone not judging what happens between adults as automatically a no-go. Look at the current regime and all their sins.
I think in the past the problem wasn't entirely one of morals - in our modern culture, every couple is entitled to their own arrangement and rules - it was (WAS does heavily lifting here) a possible question of exposure to blackmailing. To compromise.
But with people living their lives online everything is at the ready.
Something that is illegal is altogether another thing (and even that shame/political consequence has now faded).
Clinton and Monica scandal vs Eliot Spitzer and his pay-for-sex scandal.
Character vs crime.
I think it's more that it's a drip, drip, drip of "scandals". Some more serious than others, in my opinion. Personally, as long as the texts weren't of a harassing nature, I believe it is between Platner and his wife. But part of running for office is all the skeletons have the potential to come out. Will Maine vote for him? I guess we will see.
I agree. What is generally seen as immorality pales in the face of the concentrated destruction of our democratic system. Clinton was (imo) a 'tomcat', basically without morals - BUT he left the US in better financial position than he found it! Whereas after the current regime we have to totally fix everything - our economy, our laws, rein in our SCOTUS (term limits? a larger Court? a set of ethics rules (with consequences)? plus a larger and much longer struggle to rebuild our reputation in the world at large.
The thing that struck me most about this story was the betrayal. I mean his wife is the one that brings the sexting story to the campaign so it can be vetted! Talk about character.
Maine voters will get to determine it such behavior is disqualifying versus an incumbent with many "concerns" and no spine.
As far as Plattner goes, I think we need to give people the benefit of evolving. Isn't that what life is supposed to be about? Learning from mistakes and doing better? So he was a young, sexting, tatooing, survivor of military service in a war zone. He grew up. He has admitted mistakes. Not "Mistakes were Made." He took responsibility for his actions. I like that in an elected.
This race is even more interesting to me now.
I think for some it is how long it took Platner to cover up the tattoo that is the most troubling. The CNN article mentions that there are posts from 2019 that undercut his argument that he didn't know what the tattoo resembled or what it meant. I can't access the full CNN article so I don't know what the full article states. I say this with respect to everyone and I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion. I got blocked (first time) by someone here for saying something similar. So, I hope I do not offend anyone with this comment. We can agree to disagree. I just want Collins out but dammit that woman always seems to slither back into the Senate.
This is democracy in action. Respectful sharing and differences of opinion in "the town square."
I hope he is one of the ones that put us over the top in the Senate in November.
💯 Thank you.
agree with you re: tattoo. as I understand the sexting situation, it's not about, say, an affair between consenting adults with spouse's knowledge. sexting multiple 'targets' is a form of unwanted attention, if not harrassment - during a campaign !!?? it speaks to non valuing of women and some kind of needy ego. viable? I don't think so. any way he can be replaced at this point?
Oh Lord. I assumed the sexting was done without the wife knowing. With or without the wife's knowledge, in my opinion, that would be still be between them. But if the sexting was done as you understand it, it's gross and I agree with you completely. This is all before the primary. What's next? From what I understand there are at least two other candidates running.
that's what sexting is, as I understand it - but I'm going to reread the article. the wife was aware of it and said she accepts her husband for who he is [my phrasing]. but my understanding is he 'sexted' multiple women. in this era of Rs running candidates in D races, he needs to be gone asap.
Oh I see. Um I guess you can tell, I really don't know much about sexting.
I haven't been closely following Plattner, but from the articles I've read this morning, his wife did the right thing disclosing this highly personal thing to make sure the campaign knew about it, only to have it leaked to the press.
I'm way older than Plattner but have had an active online presence for decades now. Have I emailed or texted things I would find highly embarrassing now? I sure have. I've also watched Watergate, Gary Hart, John Dean, Kitty Dukakis, Walter Mondale, Bill Clinton deal with embarrassments in different ways and with different outcomes. And then there is the creep in the Oval now and his thugs and vulgars. Whole other ballgame.
Let's see what the voters think.
i remember a consultant saying when he looked at a campaign, he always asked the candidate if there was anything that might come out; they always lied to him, and it always came out....might have been ed rollins.
I agree with you but the sexting was just a few years ago. I think it was right after they got married. But if his wife has forgiven him then that is between them. He is working to become a better person after being fucked up in a stupid war where his friends died. I admire his effort.
I didn't realize the sexting was so recent. They were only married in 2023.
He has baggage, and so far, he hasnt spoken about the scandal as far as I've heard.
I'm glad it came out before the primary. Let the voters decide.
It doesn’t matter. Only republicans get to cheat and sexually harass. We have zero wiggle room.
I am still angry over how Al Franken was run out of the Senate for something that I thought was no where near what is going on here.
it's not that - I wouldn't want that person for my senator
I had a dream last night.
I was at an early 2028 Presidential Candidate forum, where JD Vance barely met the qualifications. He was financially the weakest of all the candidates, and his polling just barely made him eligible to participate.
I was moderating and right to his bearded, gerbil-cheeked face yelled at him: "JD, YOU DON'T HAVE THE CARDS! YOU DON'T HAVE THE CARDS, JD!"
And it gave me such joy to do that on camera.
LOL!
Congrats to Simon and to all of us for $10 million raised! That's a remarkable accomplishment and we're not finished yet!
We are in an existential fight to save our democracy.
Susan Collins has sided, again and again, with the forces determined to weaken it. She must be defeated.
And if the last few years have taught us anything, it is this: the left has to stop flinching. The panic. The hand-wringing. The bed-wetting. The performative weakness. It is killing us,
Over and over again.
Yes, the Platner allegations are a distraction. Fine. They’re here. We deal with them. But we do not lose focus.
I will gladly push through a fucking sexting scandal if the alternative is handing Susan Collins another term.
Double your resolve.
Double your support.
Show people we know what matters. Show them we have discipline. Show them we have focus. Show them we know how to win.
To be clear, when something like this happens, rather than wringing our hands and contemplating what could go wrong, we should money bomb him. Inoculate him on this.
Just focus on winning FFSs.
Concern about about Nazi tattoos, online comments about women and rape, and sending sexually explicit messages to several women while married is not "wringing our hands". These are legitimate concerns. If Platner was a Republican and , you'd likely be condemning him.
Further, everyone was fawning over Fetterman and look how that turned out. I certainly hope that Platner doesn't turn out to be another Fetterman but I don't understand the double-standard and hypocrisy that Nazi tattoos are bad when it's Hegseth sporting them but for the new darling of the left, it's referred to as hand-wringing to be concerned. Not to mention that it was only when it was revealed Platner had that tattoo that he removed it. It didn't seem to bother him for many years.
Fetterman has brain damage. Regardless, I would vote for him over any Republican at this point because of the Federal Bench. Platner maybe a lousy husband as I thought Clinton was but their wives disagree
It is disappointing to me that those who are concerned about these issues with Platner turns into we are wringing our hands. I looked up what exactly Totenkopf represented. It was what the SS wore - the SS. Not that any Nazi symbol is any better but the SS and he only covered it up in 2025? Not to mention all the other stuff and yet somehow Platner is the victim? Boy, I wonder if Elizabeth Warren regrets her endorsement now. I am not nor have I ever been part of a circular firing squad but some of these issues are quite serious in my opinion. I guess the best argument would be maybe Platner truly regrets all these actions and we can hope he won't be another Fetterman, Manchin, Sinema or Trump and we do know what Collins will be in the Senate. Collins is a rubber-stamp for Trump who is the reason we have lost the right to choose, people are literally disappearing, grand scale corruption and losing many other rights. I believe attacking those who disagree with us is not helpful. We are not the enemy here. We may disagree on what the best course would be and honestly, it's up to the people in Maine now. Also, I hope I am not blocked bc I am truly coming from a good place as I am sure most of are here. These are legitimate concerns.
I don't think he's a legitimate dem. candidate. Mills could do just as well against Collins, perhaps better
And that's exactly part of my beef. Platner edged out Janet Mills who has political experience and guts. Perhaps if the people of Maine had been less willing to overlook a Nazi tattoo and comments about rape, Mills would be the nominee. Just musing...
my point is there's still time, Mills should be the candidate. she is known, she can do it. Remember Anderson Clayton told us how they cut off a fake candidate in NC? re: Platner, still too many unknowns - what was he doing between leaving military and higher education program and returning to Maine?
I was in York, ME yesterday and there was a plane towing a banner that said “Platner shames Maine”. Lots of Platner signs in the area.
It reminds me of the last candidate for Senate from NC who lost because his misbehavior.
Oh yes. He was ahead in the polls until it came out he had an affair or something along those lines. I think it was Cal Cunningham
good to hear
100% JCOK. Trump on video "grabbing them by the ..." wasn't disqualifying for his voters.
Doesn't make it right for ours either.
I work with college kids. I have learned to not judge them for the things they do or say that are different than what was thought proper when I was there age.
Have any of your college students tried running for the Senate?
Why so judgmental? We're a big tent party - people have different standards on all sorts of issues and it's OK with me.
I don't understand what is judgemental about my comment. When “standards” violate my core principles, I push back. Just as you have. And that's ok with me.
See my comments about Platner somewhere in this thread. I'm no longer enthusiastic about him, as he's sounding more and more like a wild card. Poor judgement with the tattoo and a breech of trust with his wife.
I’m as enthusiastic as ever—and increasingly so—about doing whatever I can to save our democracy and stop Susan Collins from getting another term.
its not just about us though; he has to campaign in a general to indies and soft r's; will they look the other way?
You go to war with the army you have
I believe he also made comments about rural Americans. Disagree or not with those comments, pretty sure Collins will be bringing them up. But I am not 100% sure he made those comments and I am too weary to look it up. Good Lord, what will come out AFTER the primary?
I found article on that - he definitely needs to be gone asap, here's link
https://www.wmtw.com/article/us-senate-candidate-graham-platner-addresses-deleted-social-media-posts-criticizing-police-rural-americans/69062688
Thank you for the article. Lordy, these will come out again. Wow.
Thank you.
He finally said out loud what was always true: the purpose of the ballroom is a place for him to be crowned president-for-life, just like his idols Putin and Xi. We need to stop minimizing this by referring to it as a "vanity project" and to just say it: Trump will be gone by January 20, 2029 if not sooner because we will not tolerate it. He will leave vertically, or he will leave horizontally, or he will leave in chunks but he will be leaving. Period. I don't want to hear the timid, "but what if he won't leave..."
He has no intention of leaving and never did. That was true on election day and is still true. And we have no intention of putting up with this bs. If we can do it non-violently, great! Though the reality is in all the color revolutions people were killed. Just like in Minneapolis. Non-violent protesters murdered there. If it takes lighting a bunch of shit on fire, then it does.
For anyone who wants to be shocked at what I wrote, then please don't get all proud about the American War of Independence this Fourth of July. I'm a proud member of the No Kings movement, but let's remember it was not peaceful protest that got us no king in the first place. It's not that I want violence. It's that I believe one has to consider that it it might come down to a choice of war or tyranny. Just like in Ukraine.
100% he is going to crawl in that bunker with some military/hegseth and dare anyone to get him out. that is what the slush fund was for: his personal army! he will have everything he needs to survive for awhile. and the bunker will have to be bombed. just like hitler. and he will make don jr his vp. or whichever child is the most criminal.
Being stuck in a bunker won't allow him to be President a minute more than the end of his second term.
Tomorrow the NM State legislature will hold its first public hearing about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, including sex trafficking. It’s part of a bipartisan investigatory subcommittee of the NM State House of Representatives called The Truth Commission that is focused on the illegal activities that occurred at Zorro Ranch in Stanley, NM. This commission has subpoena powers as a “temporary, non-judicial body established to investigate and report on past human rights violations or atrocities. Its main goals are to uncover the truth, acknowledge the scale of abuses, provide a platform for victims' voices, with recommendations for reforms to prevent future violence and promote reconciliation.” This hearing starts at 2 pm Mountain Time at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe and will be on live stream (local PBS station and KOAT-TV, the local ABC television affiliate in Albuquerque).
https://www.nmlegis.gov/handouts/CCJ%20110625%20Item%202%20AR%20MA%20Truth%20Commish.pdf
wow!! thanks so much!!
TEN MILLION DOLLARS, y'all! Woo hoo! Thank you Simon for helping us invest our political philanthropy in races and candidates who matter. I feel very proud of us. <3
Postcards today. My own back garden is a mess. Everything froze in Orlando this year, and much of what I had planted died or is just recovering. Consequently, it’s full of weeds. The worst part is I have a banana tree that had 3 developing bunches (probably ~100 bananas), and those stems were completely killed. The tree is recovering, but still. It’s why you don’t place tariffs on bananas.
Maybe I’ll get out there later on and try to reclaim something.
Does anyone know what has happened to Abigail Spanberger? Her recent vetoes are terrible.
Here's a very good write-up of an interview with Spanberger:
https://cardinalnews.org/2026/05/27/spanberger-on-criticism-of-her-31-vetoes-does-that-mean-that-im-supposed-to-just-accept-and-sign-any-bill/
I think next session she should more proactively engage with legislators while bills are being shaped.
Thanks for this, Leon. It explains some but not all of her vetoes. I thought the comment about some of her vetoes were based on her congressional experience was interesting. Julie
Simon, I follow quite a few pro-democracy folks on Substack, but Hopium - you and this incredible community - are #1 by a mile. The can-do, patriotic spirit here, under your leadership, is what keeps me going on days where it all feels hopeless.
Thank you Simon for dedicating yourself to this amazing project, and thank you to all here who are fighting to save our democracy and our country. I’m proud to be a member.
Simon, Your work is priceless, but the $10M carries great meaning too. It demonstrates what a relatively small group can do when the members are committed to this nation's values. About Platner: I wish every Democratic candidate was pure as the driven snow, and yet, somehow, everyone has warts. The populist message resonates, and Americans are inured to digital age scandals. I suspect that, try as they may, the extremists will not get a great deal of traction over "sextings." Anyway, Graham is what we've got, and we surely do want to defeat Collins, so I'm down with him!!
Regarding Platner: I'm not in Maine but overall I've been impressed with his candidacy. I was troubled by the tattoo, though. I recently had a conversation with my 38 year old daughter whose opinion is that Platner's Nazi tattoo should be automatically disqualifying. My feeling was that of all the stupid things one could do as a young, damaged person, why did Platner choose to get a tattoo associated with white supremacists? It troubles me. I also read the NYT interview. And now the "sexting", which to me signals a significant breech of trust with his wife that could continue into his work should he be elected.
I defended him recently in a thread where a subscriber here expressed concerns about him - that she is worried about him turning into another Fetterman. I now have come around to being less than enthused about his candidacy. If there are Democraric Maine voters who are thinking the same way, it's going to hard to vote for someone concerning versus an also concerning incumbent.
The recent Platner revelations have also raised my concern level. Not sure I would vote for him depending on a continued examination of his character. I don’t like Dems getting stuck with problem men. In the meantime maybe another candidate on the ballot now can make a last minute run in Maine?
my question also.
'In the meantime maybe another candidate on the ballot now can make a last minute run in Maine?'
No chance.
David Costello is also running, polling at 3%. Janet Mills' name is still on the ballot although she suspended her campaign on April 30, because it was after the deadline of 70 days before the election. Until Mills officially withdraws from the election by notifying the Secretary of State, her votes will be counted. Andrea LaFlamme is a declared Write-in Candidate on the Democratic ballot, for a total of four choices including Platner.
Platner has a 9% lead over Collins in the Pine Tree State Poll published May 27, 2026.
https://ballotpedia.org/Democratic_Party_primaries_in_Maine,_2026#Federal_elections
https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1959&context=survey_center_polls
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/vote/governor-janet-mills-ballot-us-senate-campaign-suspension-maine-election/97-eac69dc0-6435-4531-b566-7a7d0eb1b7a0
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/05/05/politics/elections/janet-mills-hasnt-exited-democratic-us-senate-primary-n6hjn1me0n/
I don't subscribe to NYT. Was Platner interviewed by the NYT?
Yes. It was interesting. I liked what he said about the issues working people care about. I also understand where he's coming from when he responds to critics who say he's not really a working class guy - his grandfather was a famous Cornell educated architect and his father was an attorney - he and his wife have a combined income of around $50,000 a year. Granted, he had the opportunity to study and be financially successful and he chose a military career. All he had for work experience was four tours of duty in Iraq (and Afghanistan? Not sure) and he made a life for himself as an oyster fisherman.
As I've said before, young people take foolish risks and say and do stupid things but why this particularly stupid thing of getting a Nazi tattoo that he didn't remove until he had to? Also, most other people who did stupid things in their youth don't run for high public office.
Thank you for this info. I appreciate it. When Platner first ran, I really liked what he was saying. Then, boom. Sadly, I agree with your assessment.
Thanks for the stomach turn, Simon. His pic of kissing the flag is vile. Does he not know that that act is unacceptable? Wonderful news about the Kennedy Center. Now if the Florida judge will find the whole IRS and slush fund fraud.
Important update about Platner. We must know when these men are cheating on their wives. It’s a real signal to their ethics, morality, trustworthiness, and honesty in a public service office that brings money and power. Are there any faithful, truthful and ethical men running in Maine? Is this the best Dems can put forth against a woman who is failing in health and can barely produce speech that is coherent and whose concerns are whatever Trump wants, he gets? This is nuts. We, the People must choose better. This isn’t family values. This is the soul of our country, withering under the weight of lies, greed, abhorrent behavior over and over again. No wonder our Democracy is teetering into collapse. Scoundrels, cheaters, liars, financial fraudsters, and power hungry candidates, and especially those who currently hold public offices , are destroying our country. The alarms are screaming, people. We are the key, not them.
I’m beyond ready to yeet these populist candidates into space
Here's an action I think your readers should know about that is time sensitive. It comes from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and includes links to submit a comment about Trump's Arch. Public Comment Deadline: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at noon ET
https://savingplaces.org/monumental-arch#ncpc
done! this is easy everyone. took seconds. let er rip!
Thanks!
Thanks, Cheryl. I submited these written comments in opposition to the arch.
I am writing to the National Capital Planning Commission to express opposition to the proposed New Monumental Arch. I was born, lived, worked, and educated in the Washington Metropolitan Area (from grade school to Montgomery College). Basing the proposed structure on the Paris' Arc de Triomphe, its over-sized stature, and the corresponding obstruction of historic views makes it a poor fit for the Nation's Capital. I also believe it is an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars. Furthermore, there are ongoing legal challenges stating that congressional authorization is required to build it on the federally-protected land. Any of these reasons is enough to disapprove the proposal, and there seems to be no valid reason to construct the arch.
Thank you for providing the opportunity to submit my comments.
Sounds good.
Here’s another argument from the NYT June 6, 2026. “Trump’s proposed 250-foot arch would sit in the paths of flights in and out of Reagan National Airport. That could complicate Washington’s already-congested airspace.”
Thank you so much. I just commented
Thanks so much for posting this. I'm going to share it on my FB page. Here is what I wrote: "I am very much against the construction of this Arch. It is out of proportion to its setting in every negative way: much too massive and high, destroying the symmetry of land that includes the classic and beloved Lincoln Memorial, and marring the beauty and solemnity of Arlington National Cemetery. It is not about American ideals or contemplation of the sacrifice of our military in defense of our democracy, but rather is a glorification of one person, Trump. This arch should NOT be built. Thank you.