I just watched his riveting victory speech for Maine's primary. No holds barred, he went after Susan Collins and she deserves every bit of it and he told what he would do for the rest of the people in Maine. I will be sending him $25 tonight.
Jim Messina (Dem strategist and Obama's "fixer," who helped him win his second term) said the speech was a master class. That made me feel good. Love that he is such a fighter. Redemption is a powerful theme.
I read this. It is very helpful in clarifying what our military goes through and how the troubles many military veterans experience don't make them bad people, or incapable of representing us in Congress.
Tonight's SC Primary should be interesting as, according to Claude and SC Election Commission, the primary vote from day one of early voting until June 5th was 56,000 with 59% vote for Democratic candidates and 41% for the GOP candidates. All this while the state legislature was voting on redistricting. In 2024 early voting 9% of registered voters went for the GOP, and 4% voted for the Democratic candidates. A sign of huge engagement in a most of the time ho hum state election.
As the spouse of a Vietnam vet, I don't think anyone without that experience should be commeniting. I am sure Platner has learned from his mistakes . More important, can we, as a society learrn from our endless wars that create such damage.
It must have been arduous beyond belief for him. The things many vets (from all and any wars) have told me have surprised me. Many are more sour on military excursions than even I, a lifelong antiwar Democrat. As you suggested, I don’t like to jump on either side as I am not a vet and have no idea what combat service is like… My grandfather, who died before I was born, was a Pearl Harbor survivor. He never talked about it, nor did my grandmother. In fact, we all only learned about it after she died at 96. Her nephew told all of us. And Obama shortly after signed a plaque honoring him! But my dear grandfather never said a peep as the pain was all too real I can only imagine.
My father-in-law was at Guadalcanal as a Marine, a brutal bloody battle in the South Pacific. He never talked about it, and he had issues with alcoholism and keeping a job. His favorite place was the local VFW hall.
You’ve brought back memories. My dad also went to the VFW — he would take me to lunch there sometimes. He was a WWII vet who served in the Pacific and, like yours, never talked about it. His brother was a Marine in the Pacific as well, a disabled vet, and he never talked about it either.
Quite an experience. I’m don’t think is non combat vets can conceive of the trauma. Must be like being a forensic detective. The ones I know are altered permanently by the tremendous weight of it.
It is! A good buddy of line’s step father was in charge of picking up bodies of his fellow soldiers in Vietnam. He could barely function day to day. Very dark existence.
Both things can be true about Platner: he is damaged from going to war and his behavior speaks volumes about a man who needed help; and he can probably beat collins-the-stupid-lying-pearl-clutcher but at what cost to the Democratic Party and his credibility as a senator? The main take away for me is that we do not in any way support our returning warriors. We just toss them on the emotional garbage heap after they come home like so much used up toilet paper. This deep failure is on us as a nation.
Sometimes life unfortunately requires making the least less desirable choice and compared to the misogynist idiocracy of trump et al, it's no contest. I trust the voters of Maine to figure it out.
I believe him when he has said he has changed. Combat experience should be represented in the Senate. Was the NYT correct to include an uncorroborated story by a Republican operative describing physical abuse on the eve of the primary? So many Republicans routinely lie, why should we believe her when there is no pattern of the behavior she describes? She worked to get Kavanaugh confirmed. If Maine voters want him as their Senator, I am behind them 100%
THIS IS SO GREAT. I keep watching all these gals. They are amazing. How about that Dr. Amy Acton?!! Did you know that His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said years ago "the world will be saved by the Western woman". At the time I was inspired and wondered how it would all unfold. Now... I see. And my granddaughters are proving it to me every day! And they are only 8 and 10!!!
I often find it interesting--humorous?--that people talk about the Berlin Wall coming down, but never seem to remember that it had to go UP first. We almost went to war over its going up, but people don't talk about that.
Further, it took MUCH MORE than a few words from Reagan actually to bring the wall down. There were thousands of people working on that issue with everything they had--this was back in the days when we had people who actually knew and understood negotiating rather than bullying and garbage--worked for years, and certainly the 800 days after Reagan's speech and helped convince the Russians to bring it down.
And yet, so many think that the "Bring down that wall" from the mouth of one person was all it took. Excuse me, but that's laughable.
I have to admit that makes me uncomfortable too. It edges toward "boys will be boys." I also don't like the idea that we can't ask reasonable questions of someone who will occupy a Senate seat if we haven't had military service ourselves. that's like excusing police violence because "officers put their lives on the line." Wrong is wrong and needs to be called out.
I see that excusing Democrats because they're "not as bad" and truthfully do have better policies is part of the reason that many people see the parties as essentially the same. I value character in a candidate. And I want to see everyone held accountable. How do I know Platner will take women's rights seriously?
Among my concerns about Platner, what other shoes are going to drop leading into November? How about in October? There is a problem, with the stakes so high, in depending on what’s next, given this person has never been elected and has no accompanying voting record to consider/judge — whether or not he “weathers” these latest setbacks in the upcoming weeks. Personally, I’m sorry he’s come so far and don’t trust where he will stand, even if he does get elected - which is far from certain, given he’s not been thoroughly vetted.
I adore these two men. Now don't blush you two, but it's so refreshing to listen to two men have a discussion without trying to outdo each other.
As you were discussing about all those in Congress with military experience, I just recently started thinking that our next Democratic President should be someone with that experience. I'm glad you reminded us of all those in Congress who have served in the military in different capacities. For now, I'm just trying to stay focused on November.
Look forward to our weekly gathering tomorrow to hear your weekly wrap-up.
Hi,
This is the Dan Barkhuff article that Stuart referenced in the video.
On Platner, and Me (find it on substack)
It is a must read!
I have seen Graham in person four times, seen him respond to difficult questions and watched many interviews.
He is impressive, well read, articulate, the type of person that I want to represent us in Washington, and I support him wholeheartedly.
Shirley from Maine
Thank you.
I read that piece too and really learned a lot.
I just watched his riveting victory speech for Maine's primary. No holds barred, he went after Susan Collins and she deserves every bit of it and he told what he would do for the rest of the people in Maine. I will be sending him $25 tonight.
Jim Messina (Dem strategist and Obama's "fixer," who helped him win his second term) said the speech was a master class. That made me feel good. Love that he is such a fighter. Redemption is a powerful theme.
Here’s a link to Dan Barkhuff’s article https://dbarkhuff.substack.com/p/on-platner-and-me?r=9piyc&utm_medium=ios
I read this. It is very helpful in clarifying what our military goes through and how the troubles many military veterans experience don't make them bad people, or incapable of representing us in Congress.
Tonight's SC Primary should be interesting as, according to Claude and SC Election Commission, the primary vote from day one of early voting until June 5th was 56,000 with 59% vote for Democratic candidates and 41% for the GOP candidates. All this while the state legislature was voting on redistricting. In 2024 early voting 9% of registered voters went for the GOP, and 4% voted for the Democratic candidates. A sign of huge engagement in a most of the time ho hum state election.
As the spouse of a Vietnam vet, I don't think anyone without that experience should be commeniting. I am sure Platner has learned from his mistakes . More important, can we, as a society learrn from our endless wars that create such damage.
It must have been arduous beyond belief for him. The things many vets (from all and any wars) have told me have surprised me. Many are more sour on military excursions than even I, a lifelong antiwar Democrat. As you suggested, I don’t like to jump on either side as I am not a vet and have no idea what combat service is like… My grandfather, who died before I was born, was a Pearl Harbor survivor. He never talked about it, nor did my grandmother. In fact, we all only learned about it after she died at 96. Her nephew told all of us. And Obama shortly after signed a plaque honoring him! But my dear grandfather never said a peep as the pain was all too real I can only imagine.
My father-in-law was at Guadalcanal as a Marine, a brutal bloody battle in the South Pacific. He never talked about it, and he had issues with alcoholism and keeping a job. His favorite place was the local VFW hall.
You’ve brought back memories. My dad also went to the VFW — he would take me to lunch there sometimes. He was a WWII vet who served in the Pacific and, like yours, never talked about it. His brother was a Marine in the Pacific as well, a disabled vet, and he never talked about it either.
Interestingly, neither of my grandfathers talked about it. Not my great-uncle either. It was the time when they were “in The service.”
Quite an experience. I’m don’t think is non combat vets can conceive of the trauma. Must be like being a forensic detective. The ones I know are altered permanently by the tremendous weight of it.
the sacrifice of that kind of service is immense.
It is! A good buddy of line’s step father was in charge of picking up bodies of his fellow soldiers in Vietnam. He could barely function day to day. Very dark existence.
Here's the link for the article Stuart referenced on Planter
https://dbarkhuff.substack.com/p/on-platner-and-me?utm_source=direct&r=7vxhp&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Thank You. A must read.
Yes, thank you, and the comments are illuminating as well.
Yes, I was especially moved and educated by the comments of other combat veterans.
Brothers from different Mothers.
Both things can be true about Platner: he is damaged from going to war and his behavior speaks volumes about a man who needed help; and he can probably beat collins-the-stupid-lying-pearl-clutcher but at what cost to the Democratic Party and his credibility as a senator? The main take away for me is that we do not in any way support our returning warriors. We just toss them on the emotional garbage heap after they come home like so much used up toilet paper. This deep failure is on us as a nation.
Sometimes life unfortunately requires making the least less desirable choice and compared to the misogynist idiocracy of trump et al, it's no contest. I trust the voters of Maine to figure it out.
I believe him when he has said he has changed. Combat experience should be represented in the Senate. Was the NYT correct to include an uncorroborated story by a Republican operative describing physical abuse on the eve of the primary? So many Republicans routinely lie, why should we believe her when there is no pattern of the behavior she describes? She worked to get Kavanaugh confirmed. If Maine voters want him as their Senator, I am behind them 100%
!!
Please note, all, that every single national security candidate who Simon mentions as a strong leader is a woman. Every single one.
THIS IS SO GREAT. I keep watching all these gals. They are amazing. How about that Dr. Amy Acton?!! Did you know that His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said years ago "the world will be saved by the Western woman". At the time I was inspired and wondered how it would all unfold. Now... I see. And my granddaughters are proving it to me every day! And they are only 8 and 10!!!
Jason Crow, Andy Kim, Ruben Gallego- but there are also so many excellent women
this was a terrific conversation. thanks.
I often find it interesting--humorous?--that people talk about the Berlin Wall coming down, but never seem to remember that it had to go UP first. We almost went to war over its going up, but people don't talk about that.
Further, it took MUCH MORE than a few words from Reagan actually to bring the wall down. There were thousands of people working on that issue with everything they had--this was back in the days when we had people who actually knew and understood negotiating rather than bullying and garbage--worked for years, and certainly the 800 days after Reagan's speech and helped convince the Russians to bring it down.
And yet, so many think that the "Bring down that wall" from the mouth of one person was all it took. Excuse me, but that's laughable.
Excusing Platner reeks of excusing Bill Clinton
I have to admit that makes me uncomfortable too. It edges toward "boys will be boys." I also don't like the idea that we can't ask reasonable questions of someone who will occupy a Senate seat if we haven't had military service ourselves. that's like excusing police violence because "officers put their lives on the line." Wrong is wrong and needs to be called out.
I see that excusing Democrats because they're "not as bad" and truthfully do have better policies is part of the reason that many people see the parties as essentially the same. I value character in a candidate. And I want to see everyone held accountable. How do I know Platner will take women's rights seriously?
…
Among my concerns about Platner, what other shoes are going to drop leading into November? How about in October? There is a problem, with the stakes so high, in depending on what’s next, given this person has never been elected and has no accompanying voting record to consider/judge — whether or not he “weathers” these latest setbacks in the upcoming weeks. Personally, I’m sorry he’s come so far and don’t trust where he will stand, even if he does get elected - which is far from certain, given he’s not been thoroughly vetted.
Thank you for this conversation, Simon. So reasonable and measured. And HOPEFUL, if we do the work. Which we SHALL!
I adore these two men. Now don't blush you two, but it's so refreshing to listen to two men have a discussion without trying to outdo each other.
As you were discussing about all those in Congress with military experience, I just recently started thinking that our next Democratic President should be someone with that experience. I'm glad you reminded us of all those in Congress who have served in the military in different capacities. For now, I'm just trying to stay focused on November.
Look forward to our weekly gathering tomorrow to hear your weekly wrap-up.
Jason Crow and Mark Kelly come to mind.
Any possibility money can be removed from politics?
LOVED this discussion! Thanks to Simon and Stuart for keepin' it real.
I'm glad Stuart got his "never know what he's going to say" line out early so I didn't have to wait for it.