# Are there any reasons to reject Graham Platner in Maine (campaign suspended July 8, 2026) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 4, 2026, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179 "2026-03-04T03:50:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 66
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1303 "2026-06-15T20:35:31Z")
Yes. As a Jewish American I take great offense at being lumped with AIPAC. They do not represent me or my interests. We can’t seem to escape the canard from all sides that Jewish and Israel are synonymous. NOT. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1304 "2026-06-15T20:43:11Z")
No one is saying that AIPAC represents all Jewish Americans by virtue of them being Jewish. But people like Platner are trying to paint AIPAC as a nefarious foreign entity, and my point is that it is composed of Jewish Americans. NOT nefarious mysterious foreigners. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1305 "2026-06-15T20:48:00Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > No one is saying that AIPAC represents all Jewish Americans by virtue of them being Jewish. Yes, that’s why the word _some_ plays a very important part in the below post, > [@Babale](#): > > Gee, I wonder why Jewish Americans might be concerned about a boy with a Nazi tattoo being elected Senator… ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1306 "2026-06-15T21:02:52Z")
Hey, no fair editing his post. Wait a minute! “Some” was never in there! ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1307 "2026-06-15T21:06:02Z")
I’m certain we were all supposed to infer the _some_ and ignore the implied _all_. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1308 "2026-06-15T21:06:34Z")
Neither was the word “All”, of course. So I’m really not sure what you are complaining about. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1309 "2026-06-15T21:33:25Z")
I feel pretty good about my ability to read English. ETA: Polling apparently shows that only 40% of Jewish Americans have a favorable view of AIPAC. 30% unfavorable, the rest unsure. ETA2: Apparently, AIPAC support lowers the support of Jewish Democrats for a candidate! ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1310 "2026-06-15T21:48:31Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > NOT nefarious mysterious foreigners. Nothing nefarious or mysterious about the foreign interests AIPAC fairly exclusively focuses on. (And I solidly identify as a Zionist.) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1311 "2026-06-15T22:30:29Z")
**Moderating:** Reminder - the thread is about _Platner_. Let’s not spend too much time analyzing AIPAC except as it applies to Planter, which several of the posts have done, while some have drifted away from the main focus. Do feel free to spin off your own thread however, please and thank you. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1312 "2026-06-15T22:58:30Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Gee, I wonder why Jewish Americans might be concerned about a boy with a Nazi tattoo being elected Senator… Well, since there are none running, we dont know. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1313 "2026-06-15T23:02:59Z")
You’re right, he’s The Boy Formerly Known As The Boy With A Nazi Tattoo. My bad! ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1314 "2026-06-16T03:24:09Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > There wasnt any other real choice. I assume it’s not in dispute that the media’s preferred candidate in the primary was Mills. The fact that she had next to no support shows that the media can’t actually just pick a winner in an election and worries that dissent from the base playing i to an anti-Platner media blitz is unfounded. Also anyone who thinks Platner had no real competition in the primary must agree with me that he’s an untested candidate and people shouldn’t assume he has a handle on his scandals. I neanI think the dems have to just hope for the best because a palace coup would be straight up throwing the seat away. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1315 "2026-06-16T05:52:22Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Maine is different, and weird Maine isn’t all that weird. Every state is different, but Maine has a lot in common with Wisconsin, for instance. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Maine didnt even bother to join the USA until 1820. Maine has been part of the US since the US was founded. It was part of Massachusetts until 1820. > **[Maine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine)** > > Maine (/meɪn/ ⓘ MAYN) is a state in the New England region of the United States, and the northeasternmost state in the contiguous United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec to the northeast and northwest, and shares a maritime border with Nova Scotia. It is the only state to border only one other state (New Hampshire). Maine is the largest state in New England by total area, almost as large as... > Formal secession from Massachusetts and admission of Maine as the 23rd state occurred on March 15, 1820, as part of the [Missouri Compromise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Compromise "Missouri Compromise"), which geographically restricted the spread of [slavery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery "Slavery") and enabled the admission to statehood of [Missouri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri "Missouri") the following year, keeping a balance between [slave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_state "Slave state") and free states.[[30]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine#cite_note-33)[[31]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine#cite_note-34)[[32]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine#cite_note-35) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1316 "2026-06-16T09:32:19Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > _The Boy with the Nazi Tattoo_ > [@Babale](#): > > a Boy With A Nazi Tattoo > [@Babale](#): > > The Boy With a Nazi Tattoo > [@Babale](#): > > the Boy with the Nazi Tattoo > [@Babale](#): > > The Boy with the Nazi Tattoo > [@Babale](#): > > The Boy With The Nazi Tattoo > [@Babale](#): > > The Boy with the Nazi Tattoo > [@Babale](#): > > The Boy with the Nazi Tattoo > [@Babale](#): > > The Boy with the Nazi Tattoo > [@Babale](#): > > The Boy with the Nazi Tattoo > [@Babale](#): > > a boy with a Nazi tattoo > [@Babale](#): > > The Boy With A Nazi Tattoo Y’know, Babale, you and I agree on a lot of things, but I think that at this point you’ve pretty much established the point that Graham Platner Had A Tattoo Once. Repeating it over and over again like it’s the most amazing political zinger since “Where’s the beef?” doesn’t seem like it’s going to change anyone’s mind at this point, and you’re well into “stop trying to make fetch happen!” territory by now. If you think there’s a reason Maine Democrats should support a literal fascist enabler over a left-wing progressive who got a stupid tattoo when he was young and drunk, there are better ways of making that point than shouting the same catch-phrase over and over again. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1317 "2026-06-16T09:36:23Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > you’re well into “stop trying to make fetch happen!” by now. Only laziness kept me from posting that meme. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1318 "2026-06-16T10:25:54Z")
> [@DeadTreasSecretaries](#): > > I assume it’s not in dispute that the media’s preferred candidate in the primary was Mills. It may be obvious to others, but I cannot guess what “the media” refers to. Did Maine newspapers do endorsements? Boston Globe? New York Times? Or are we talking about an interpretation of coverage. ABC? NBC? CNN? CBS sounds plausible, but did they? FoxNews? I suppose they all covered the tatoo. I think that’s news, not a covert enforcement. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1319 "2026-06-16T20:57:37Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I suppose they all covered the tatoo. I think that’s news, not a covert enforcement. And Platner was always going to drive viewership/readership more than Mills. So I’m surprised by the claim that Mills was “the media’s preferred candidate.” I suppose some pundits employed by news shows might have preferred Mills. But as a business proposition, the person who incites more clicks will always be “preferred” (and that person is clearly Platner). ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1320 "2026-06-17T02:52:42Z")
Mills was certainly the preferred candidate of the Democratic leadership. And it appears of the NYT as well. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1321 "2026-06-17T03:11:25Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Mills was certainly the preferred candidate of the Democratic leadership. Cite? because Platner has some top notch endorsements. Sanders, Gallego, Warren, Ro Khanna, and a bunch of unions. Mills had- Schumer, Governors= Maura Healey (MA), Gretchen Whitmer (MI), Andy Beshear (KY), and Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM). I think that is about even. > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > And it appears of the NYT as well. After the NYTs irresponsible reporting of the Biden/Trump race (there’s a whole thread about that), they have lost my respect. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1322 "2026-06-17T03:27:42Z")
As Senate Minority Leader it could be argued Schumer is the leader of Senate Democrats don’t you think? The Senate is the body Platner is trying to join so that would seem to be an important endorsement for Mills. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D) endorsed Janet Mills as well. Again I think that would be viewed as a pretty important endorsement. So multiple centrists and leaders of the Ds in Congress endorsed Mills. I fail to see how that doesn’t constitute party leadership. The people who endorsed Platner in the primary are all part of the progressive wing of the party. So not the actual leadership of the party, at least yet. As for the comment about the NYT, I mentioned that in response to the question about “the media” in the post by DeadTreasSecretaries. And just to be extra clear, Mills would have been a terrible candidate and would have almost certainly lost to Collins. My hope is that Platner, warts and all (including former tattoos), will win. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179.md?page=65) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179.md?page=67)