# People defending Graham Platner are pathetic and intellectually bankrupt **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 12, 2026, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839 "2026-06-12T02:58:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/101 "2026-06-29T18:03:58Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Platner is an unknown that could be a righteous warrior manning the anti-fascist bastion. Do I think he will be? Fuck if I know. But I know Collins won’t be, so is the gamble he might be worth it? > [@RitterSport](#): > > No. But, I’m sure she will. Agreed. I’d support a possible fascist over a confirmed fascist any day. Those really are the only two choices here, unfortunately. (I mean, I’m sure the fascism “concerns” Collins, but that’s little comfort as they round people up for the camps.) ---
**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 29, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/102 "2026-06-29T21:21:59Z")
> [@ZosterSandstorm](#): > > You have to vote for the guy who branded himself as a Nazi and is on a speaking tour where he explains that the only reason grocery prices are high is because of The Zionists. > [@Stratocaster](#): > > Cite, please? _He used to have a tattoo!_ What more proof do you need that as soon as he’s elected he’s going to grind all of Congress to a halt until they pass the Jews Aren’t People Act?! ---
**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 29, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/103 "2026-06-29T21:25:11Z")
You can add DrDeth to the “doesn’t want to admit it’s a Nazi symbol” camp. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/104 "2026-06-29T23:46:45Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Cite, please? My cite that it didn’t happen is that ZS said it did. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/105 "2026-06-30T00:19:46Z")
Good enough for me! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/106 "2026-06-30T18:52:55Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Platner is an unknown that could be a righteous warrior manning the anti-fascist bastion. Do I think he will be? Fuck if I know. But I know Collins won’t be, so is the gamble he might be worth it? The answer is just very, very obviously yes. A 50% chance of success is better than a 100% chance of failure. The chance that Platner turns and votes with Republicans more than Collins is basically nil. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/107 "2026-06-30T19:32:29Z")
As it is right now, I consider the chance of either of them voting with the Democrats to be negligible. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/108 "2026-06-30T19:32:53Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The chance that Platner turns and votes with Republicans more than Collins is basically nil. I’m not sure if I said this before in this thread (too lazy to check) but as much as we (rightfully) gripe about John Fetterman, he **still** votes in line with Democrats the vast majority of the time. So even if this guy pulls a Fetterman, and goes semi-MAGA (which is still just wild speculation), he’d still be better than Collins. (Just as Fetterman is still better than having Dr. Oz in the Senate.) Once you get past the primaries, your options are limited, often having to pick the least bad choice. ---
**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 30, 2026, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/109 "2026-06-30T19:41:19Z")
This is just bullshit. Here’s his platform. Which items seem like something a Republican would vote for: - Ban billionaires buying elections - Rebuild our failing healthcare system - Support Small Business – Break Up the Monopolies - Stop the mass deportation machine; pass real immigration reform - Defend our air, our water, our land and our climate - Decisive action on the housing crisis - Defend Medicare and Medicaid - Protect Social Security – before it goes bankrupt - End Billionaire Welfare, Pass a Cost-of-Living Tax Cut - Uphold tribal sovereignty and self-determination - Defend democracy and the Constitution - Strengthen our working waterfront - Support unions, and bring good union jobs to Maine - Defend and support public schools - Keep government out of our private lives; defend the right to choose - Protect Maine’s economy: raise the federal minimum wage - Equality for ALL - The War in Gaza - End the failed War on Drugs - Take on waste and corruption at the Pentagon; rebuild American shipbuilding - No more pointless wars - Address the childcare crisis - Support Americans with disabilities - Pay servicemen a fair wage; no more servicemen on food stamps - Defend the VA and support our veterans - Defend the Post Office and establish postal banking - Pass term limits – and hold politicians to their term limits pledges ---
**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 30, 2026, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/110 "2026-06-30T19:41:37Z")
Considering that Platner is running to the _left_ of the Democratic mainstream, this idea that he’s going to turn out to be a closet Republican frankly bewilders me. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/111 "2026-06-30T19:53:46Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > This is just bullshit. Here’s his platform. And here’s his actual record: ---
**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 30, 2026, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/112 "2026-06-30T19:57:29Z")
I guess we should never elect anyone who isn’t already an incumbent, then. I foresee no problems with that approach. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/113 "2026-06-30T19:59:20Z")
Especially in the current electoral context. Platner’s been a full-on, SS-tattoo loving Nazi for twenty years, and wants to get into politics, but he doesn’t run as a Republican in 2016? Or 2024? He doesn’t run as a member of the explicitly white supremacist party that’s experiencing an unprecedented resurgence… he instead decides to run as a _progressive_, with a secret plan to reveal himself as a full-on Nazi once he gets elected? And I guess this has been his plan for two decades now, because _still_ nobody can find any examples of him advocating for actual far-right ideas or policies? I do think there’s a danger of Platner running to the right if he wins, but I don’t see him going any further than a standard centrist/corporatist Democrat, which happens to a lot of “progressives” once they’re in office. I think there’s a much greater chance that he just turns out to be a scandal-plagued, incompetent buffoon who doesn’t get much done because he can’t stop stepping on his own dick. But the idea that he’s got a full on SS uniform in the closet that he’s just waiting for his inauguration to put on? That’s just fuckin’ _dumb._ ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/114 "2026-06-30T20:01:57Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I do think there’s a danger of Platner running to the right if he wins, but I don’t see him going any further than a standard centrist/corporatist Democrat, which happens to a lot of “progressives” once they’re in office. I think there’s a much greater chance that he just turns out to be a scandal-plagued, incompetent buffoon who doesn’t get much done because he can’t stop stepping on his own dick. Yup. I don’t think he’ll go full right-wing. He might go full dumbass, though. Pick your poison. ---
**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 30, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/115 "2026-06-30T20:09:10Z")
Full dumbass as one member of a 100 member senate is definitely better than a fascist-enabler member. Now, as president, I probably don’t want to go full dumbass, but it appears we’ve already done that. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/116 "2026-06-30T20:10:54Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I guess we should never elect anyone who isn’t already an incumbent, then. I foresee no problems with that approach. Not to the Senate, no. And not to anything, when they wore a Nazi tattoo for years. ---
**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 30, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/117 "2026-06-30T20:15:46Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Not to the Senate, no. So you’re supporting Trump and Collins, then. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/118 "2026-06-30T20:39:30Z")
No, we shouldn’t have elected a guy with no record to the Presidency, either. The House is the entry-level job for politics. ---
**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 30, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/119 "2026-06-30T20:47:53Z")
You’re supporting Trump by supporting Collins, since she has a voting record. The only other option is Platner. So, Collins or Platner, you’re a Maine voter, what do you do? ---
**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 30, 2026, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/120 "2026-06-30T21:02:46Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The House is the entry-level job for politics. So you’d be opposed to electing a Senate candidate who was, let’s say, a second-term state legislator who’d never held federal office before? And putting them in the White House before they even finished that first term in the Senate would be out of the question. > **[Barack Obama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama)** > > Barack Hussein Obama II\[a\] (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African American to serve as president. Obama represented Illinois in the United States Senate from 2005 to 2008 and served as an Illinois state senator from 1997 to 2004. Born in Honolulu, Obama graduated from Columbia University in 1983 and later worked as a community organizer in Chicago. In 19... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839.md?page=7)