11 ms·

They have to be kind of panicking that the smear tactics keep backfiring. Didn't stop Mamdani. Won't stop Platner. At this point it is amusing to see them pi

They have to be kind of panicking that the smear tactics keep backfiring. Didn't stop Mamdani. Won't stop Platner. At this point it is amusing to see them pissing away so many millions of dollars to stop a public opinion tide that has no chance of being stopped.

adultSwim 4mo ago
> Won't stop Platner. That's unfortunate. Choosing a leader who lies constantly and boasts of enjoying killing people seems like an unnecessary mistake. He is attacked by people who have defended far worse and are quite cynical. That doesn't mean he should be defended. He should be attacked by a left comfortable enough in its future vision as to not compromise on basic principles. The attacks against Mamdani were disingenuous. This suspicion has heightened when the other candidates being artificially propped up had such huge flaws. I hope we can learn to see when that dynamic pops up in other places.
- EdwardDiego 4mo ago
  > Choosing a leader who lies constantly and boasts of enjoying killing people seems like an unnecessary mistake. I hate to break this to you, but you're already rocking multiple of them.
pjc50 4mo ago
I'm not sure in the Platner case why the supposed progressive cause can't find someone without a Nazi tattoo. I'm not sure what the alleged benefits of Platner are either. Mamdani has been amazing, but what is Platner for?
- nixon_why69 4mo ago
  It's not like it's a swastika, it was a skull and crossbones that turns out to have been used by the SS (I think?). I had no idea that particular image was nazi-related and I don't think most other people would have either. As far as "mistakes made by marines on shore leave" go it's pretty mild. Honestly his more recent scandals are more concerning as far as character. Platner's upside is being a senator that's not from the student senate -> Hill staffer -> party insider pipeline. We're all pretty much sick of that character, he sounds much more authentic by comparison.
  - JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
    > no idea that particular image was nazi-related and I don't think most other people would have either He knew what it was [1]. That doesn't mean he's unelectable in 2026. [1] https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/05/politics/graham-platner-cant-explain-why-ex-girlfriend-knew-tattoos-nazi-link-before-he-says-he-did https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/05/politics/graham-platner-cant-...
    - nixon_why69 4mo ago
      I'm sure he figured it out at some point and should have had it covered up sooner, but I doubt he knew what it was when he got it. Honestly, I'd be more concerned with someone who knows too much Nazi minutiae rather than too little. EDIT: reading the CNN story, I'm actually less convinced, this is all coming from a conservative activist ex-girlfriend. Its a really obscure symbol and then there's this quote: "Platner argued that he had the tattoo for 17 years without anyone raising concerns about Nazi symbolism, noting that he received a State Department security clearance, reenlisted in the Army after being screened for gang and hate-related tattoos, and regularly appeared shirtless around family members, including Jewish relatives."
      - JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
        > I doubt he knew what it was when he got it Sure, maybe. I'm doubtful. But that's irrelevant. He knew when he launched his campaign. He chose to keep it. Worse, there's a good chance his family and his staffers knew as well. This is Jill Biden covering up Joe Biden's dementia all over again, except this time for racism. Platner is a rubbish candidate. But! There is a case to be made that he's better for America than Susan Collins.
        nixon_why69 4mo ago
        Did you recognize that skull as a Nazi symbol without being told? Like, "Oh, that's the Totemkompf"? Personally, like I said, I think the more recent sexting thing is way more damaging to his brand. "Got a dumb tattoo on shore leave and posted dumb reddit comments 10 years ago" are fine for an everyman candidate, recent infidelity is not.
- JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
  > what is Platner for? Not being MAGA. I have some respect for Susan Collins. But this nonsense where a tattoo and infidelity should be disqualifying on one side while the President, popularly elected this time, sleeps with porn stars and endorses anti-Semites and KKK adjacents, is unsustainable. If we need a dude with a Nazi tattoo to win Maine, I guess I prefer to be pissed off and winning.
  - Arodex 4mo ago
    I have the fear that Platner will just be another Fetterman, and you will have brought this unto ourselves...
    - JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
      > Platner will just be another Fetterman This reminds me of the folks who had conniptions over Sinema and Manchin. You know what we'd have if we had four of those right now? A majority.
      - ngcazz 4mo ago
        As if that has ever overcome the American media and political classes' fixation with bipartisanship (which is how the American system inoculates itself against left-wing policy)
      - afavour 4mo ago
        A majority that does what exactly, though? Manchin was against Build Back Better, expanding voting rights legislation and codifying abortion rights. Yes, he was better than a Republican. But he was a big reason why Democrats are seen as the do-nothing party who never achieve things. Because he stood in the way of it. Not to mention, Fetterman isn’t Manchin. Manchin at least voted to impeach Trump, Fetterman is skeptical of even doing that.
        Ylpertnodi 4mo ago
        >"Democrats are seen as the do nothing party". Quite a few people I know [eu based] used to consider themselves 'democrats' ie not republicans. But, more and more are co.ing to the conclusion that the dems are pretty darn useless.
- throwawayqqq11 4mo ago
  Plathner is authentic and able to see and correct his mistakes (tattoo), two important properties that candidates from the una-party lack. He is certainly not perfect, but apparently better than the rest.
- bijowo1676 4mo ago
  What is the alleged downside of Platner as a politician? All I see discussed is tatto which is irrelevant and does not reflect his policy Just pure hysteria from neurotic people
- nielsbot 4mo ago
  Platner is to help win the Senate for Dems. He has progressive policies and he's anti-Israel. I believe him that he didn't know it was a Nazi tattoo. There's no other evidence that he holds Nazi views and he has covered it up. Stop hand wringing, vote Platner.
- saturn8601 4mo ago
  Mamdani and AOC were appealing because they grew up in those communities and had a history of fighting for their communities. (AOC with her organizing efforts while she was a bartender and Mamdani as Assemblymember and him doing things like going on a hunger strike for the Taxi protests). AOC took on a congress member that was placed into his seat, served 10 terms (and was known as the Dem party's money link to wall street) and didn't even live in the district. Mamdani was a clean slate from the messes of the prior administrations. Platner has many of these qualities and is also taking on candidates (both in his party and the opposition) that have repeatedly failed his community. An oyster farmer that grew up in his state, he talks a lot about his upbringing in the state. It seems like so many of his speeches incorporate how deeply ingrained he is within Maine. The community organizing that convinced him to run is probably a lot to do with his success. I remember when AOC was just starting. There were multiple community organizing groups that knew all the tricks of the Queens machine. They were able to help AOC avoid early traps laid by the establishment.
- subpixel 4mo ago
  He didn’t have a nazi tattoo, full stop.
- licebmi__at__ 4mo ago
  If the main objection against a blackwater mercenary that talks fondly of the time where he made a living by being a murderer, is was that has a Nazi tattoo, then yes, it's quite likely that America can't find anything better.

adultSwim 4mo ago

> Won't stop Platner. That's unfortunate. Choosing a leader who lies constantly and boasts of enjoying killing people seems like an unnecessary mistake. He is attacked by people who have defended far worse and are quite cynical. That doesn't mean he should be defended. He should be attacked by a left comfortable enough in its future vision as to not compromise on basic principles. The attacks against Mamdani were disingenuous. This suspicion has heightened when the other candidates being artificially propped up had such huge flaws. I hope we can learn to see when that dynamic pops up in other places.

EdwardDiego 4mo ago
> Choosing a leader who lies constantly and boasts of enjoying killing people seems like an unnecessary mistake. I hate to break this to you, but you're already rocking multiple of them.

pjc50 4mo ago

I'm not sure in the Platner case why the supposed progressive cause can't find someone without a Nazi tattoo. I'm not sure what the alleged benefits of Platner are either. Mamdani has been amazing, but what is Platner for?

nixon_why69 4mo ago
It's not like it's a swastika, it was a skull and crossbones that turns out to have been used by the SS (I think?). I had no idea that particular image was nazi-related and I don't think most other people would have either. As far as "mistakes made by marines on shore leave" go it's pretty mild. Honestly his more recent scandals are more concerning as far as character. Platner's upside is being a senator that's not from the student senate -> Hill staffer -> party insider pipeline. We're all pretty much sick of that character, he sounds much more authentic by comparison.
- JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
  > no idea that particular image was nazi-related and I don't think most other people would have either He knew what it was [1]. That doesn't mean he's unelectable in 2026. [1] https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/05/politics/graham-platner-cant-explain-why-ex-girlfriend-knew-tattoos-nazi-link-before-he-says-he-did https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/05/politics/graham-platner-cant-...
  - nixon_why69 4mo ago
    I'm sure he figured it out at some point and should have had it covered up sooner, but I doubt he knew what it was when he got it. Honestly, I'd be more concerned with someone who knows too much Nazi minutiae rather than too little. EDIT: reading the CNN story, I'm actually less convinced, this is all coming from a conservative activist ex-girlfriend. Its a really obscure symbol and then there's this quote: "Platner argued that he had the tattoo for 17 years without anyone raising concerns about Nazi symbolism, noting that he received a State Department security clearance, reenlisted in the Army after being screened for gang and hate-related tattoos, and regularly appeared shirtless around family members, including Jewish relatives."
    - JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
      > I doubt he knew what it was when he got it Sure, maybe. I'm doubtful. But that's irrelevant. He knew when he launched his campaign. He chose to keep it. Worse, there's a good chance his family and his staffers knew as well. This is Jill Biden covering up Joe Biden's dementia all over again, except this time for racism. Platner is a rubbish candidate. But! There is a case to be made that he's better for America than Susan Collins.
      - nixon_why69 4mo ago
        Did you recognize that skull as a Nazi symbol without being told? Like, "Oh, that's the Totemkompf"? Personally, like I said, I think the more recent sexting thing is way more damaging to his brand. "Got a dumb tattoo on shore leave and posted dumb reddit comments 10 years ago" are fine for an everyman candidate, recent infidelity is not.
JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
> what is Platner for? Not being MAGA. I have some respect for Susan Collins. But this nonsense where a tattoo and infidelity should be disqualifying on one side while the President, popularly elected this time, sleeps with porn stars and endorses anti-Semites and KKK adjacents, is unsustainable. If we need a dude with a Nazi tattoo to win Maine, I guess I prefer to be pissed off and winning.
- Arodex 4mo ago
  I have the fear that Platner will just be another Fetterman, and you will have brought this unto ourselves...
  - JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
    > Platner will just be another Fetterman This reminds me of the folks who had conniptions over Sinema and Manchin. You know what we'd have if we had four of those right now? A majority.
    - ngcazz 4mo ago
      As if that has ever overcome the American media and political classes' fixation with bipartisanship (which is how the American system inoculates itself against left-wing policy)
    - afavour 4mo ago
      A majority that does what exactly, though? Manchin was against Build Back Better, expanding voting rights legislation and codifying abortion rights. Yes, he was better than a Republican. But he was a big reason why Democrats are seen as the do-nothing party who never achieve things. Because he stood in the way of it. Not to mention, Fetterman isn’t Manchin. Manchin at least voted to impeach Trump, Fetterman is skeptical of even doing that.
      - Ylpertnodi 4mo ago
        >"Democrats are seen as the do nothing party". Quite a few people I know [eu based] used to consider themselves 'democrats' ie not republicans. But, more and more are co.ing to the conclusion that the dems are pretty darn useless.
throwawayqqq11 4mo ago
Plathner is authentic and able to see and correct his mistakes (tattoo), two important properties that candidates from the una-party lack. He is certainly not perfect, but apparently better than the rest.
bijowo1676 4mo ago
What is the alleged downside of Platner as a politician? All I see discussed is tatto which is irrelevant and does not reflect his policy Just pure hysteria from neurotic people
nielsbot 4mo ago
Platner is to help win the Senate for Dems. He has progressive policies and he's anti-Israel. I believe him that he didn't know it was a Nazi tattoo. There's no other evidence that he holds Nazi views and he has covered it up. Stop hand wringing, vote Platner.
saturn8601 4mo ago
Mamdani and AOC were appealing because they grew up in those communities and had a history of fighting for their communities. (AOC with her organizing efforts while she was a bartender and Mamdani as Assemblymember and him doing things like going on a hunger strike for the Taxi protests). AOC took on a congress member that was placed into his seat, served 10 terms (and was known as the Dem party's money link to wall street) and didn't even live in the district. Mamdani was a clean slate from the messes of the prior administrations. Platner has many of these qualities and is also taking on candidates (both in his party and the opposition) that have repeatedly failed his community. An oyster farmer that grew up in his state, he talks a lot about his upbringing in the state. It seems like so many of his speeches incorporate how deeply ingrained he is within Maine. The community organizing that convinced him to run is probably a lot to do with his success. I remember when AOC was just starting. There were multiple community organizing groups that knew all the tricks of the Queens machine. They were able to help AOC avoid early traps laid by the establishment.
subpixel 4mo ago
He didn’t have a nazi tattoo, full stop.
licebmi__at__ 4mo ago
If the main objection against a blackwater mercenary that talks fondly of the time where he made a living by being a murderer, is was that has a Nazi tattoo, then yes, it's quite likely that America can't find anything better.