Who the fuck vetted Platner?

[Suckrates]

26 minutes ago, stevenkesslar said:

I'm getting more excited about this race.  It seems winnable.  There is a lot of enthusiasm, for sure.

Maine Democrat Shenna Bellows drops out of race to replace Graham Platner

She ended her Senate bid on Sunday as rival Troy Jackson consolidated support in the state’s delegation selection process.

 

I know very little about the top three candidates trying to take Platner's place.  Other than they have all run for and/or won statewide office with credible campaigns.  And they all have good government and/or legislative experience. 

I think Bellows would have been fine.  But the fact that Troy Jackson and his organized supporters, including unions and rural working class people, clobbered Bellows mightily and quickly bodes well for what Susan Collins has in store for her, I hope.

Top five things Graham Platner discussed when he dropped out:

1.  My grievances.

2.  My grievances.

3.  My grievances.

4.  My grievances.

5.  My grievances.

Top five thinks Shenna Bellows discussed when she dropped out:

1.  Unifying around a shared goal.

2.  Unifying around a shared goal.

3.  Unifying around a shared goal.

4.  Unifying around a shared goal.

5.  Unifying around a share goal.

I set up my monthly contributions to Jackson on ACT Blue last night.  He is not quite the nominee yet, but it looks inevitable.  I'm hoping for El-Sayed in Michigan.  But I'll support whoever the Michigan Democratic nominee us.  I see winnable races in Georgia, Michigan, Maine, Alaska, Ohio, Iowa, and - one can always hope - Texas.  The only one I am not giving to is Cooper in North Carolina, since if he can't win none of these people can.  

Our Genocide grifting raping price hiking POTUS is such a miserable piece of shit that even with all our own problems, and with Trump's right wing SCOTUS rigging the vote by only letting Republicans gerrymander,  Democrats ought to be able to do this.

We've done it before.

 

 

 

The chick in Michigan running against Al-sayed rubs me the wrong way....She speaks like a typical partisan politician, and it doesnt cum off authentic for her.  In addition, the "lisping" doesnt help it FOR ME ......   

On the other hand, I have already texted my Mamdani daddy to ask if we can do a 3-some with Al-Sayed ?     Guess I am in my DSA daddy era ?   🤣

Not sure what the trans candidate in Maine was thinking ?   She knows she doesnt have a chance, but kudos for the representation and visibility.  .  

[stevenkesslar]

1 hour ago, Suckrates said:

On the other hand, I have already texted my Mamdani daddy to ask if we can do a 3-some with Al-Sayed ? 

Can't wait.  😁  (I'm invited, right Sis?)

Some of this stuff is just funny it is so pathetic.

The 27 year old ad maker who helped spawned Platner and bragged about looking down on working class idiots is an idiot, in fact.  His career is over - at least for a while.

But some of the so called "pro's" are almost as bad.

I think it is generally considered the status quo that Haley Stevens in Michigan is not a great candidate.  This is coming from "mainstream" people like Mark Halperin and Jim Carville.  Who are in fact very good judges of these things.  So they say that she is a mediocre candidate.  And then in the next breath they fret about how we can't nominate some "progressive" or "extreme left wing" or "socialist" type. 

Even though ................ wait for it ............. the polls consistently show El-Sayed doing slightly better than Stevens against Rogers.  Who is probably the most formidable candidate the GOP is running in a state Democrats absolutely need to win to have a prayer of a Senate majority.  I assume the thought process is that once you get a democratic socialist like Mamdani on the ballot, it's a sure thing he will drag Democrats down.   🤔

And that turned out to be true.  Mamdani did drag Dan Goldman and a lot of other solid Democrats down.  Poor things!

My trip down memory lane with Wellstone is partly based on this.  In the 1980's Reaganomics ruled.  And Democrats in Minnesota kept running these Establishment types that kept losing Senate and Guv races.  Wellstone was generally viewed as the last person in Minnesota who could actually take a Republican out.  And yet he was the one who took a Republican out. 

And what he started really has not stopped in Minnesota, thanks in part to some very committed activists who organized like crazy to continue his legacy.  Even the moderate Democrats like Klobuchar pay homage to Wellstone and his grassroots movement as if he were a God.  More important, Tim Walz - who got his start at Camp Wellstone - has proven that Wellstone-y Democrats can govern.  Yeah, he's had a scandal.  But it has not tarnished the chances of other Democrats who will likely take the Guv and Senate races.

The best case scenario in my mind is that enough of these left wingers win that they prove they can both win, and govern competently.  Mamdani is off to a pretty good start.  But as I noted in my prior post, it is a fact that actual working class people and Blacks are NOT voting for these left wing types.  So if Democrats or democratic socialists really think this is a ticket to power after Trump, there is a lot of work to be done.

(Side note, since I mentioned Walz.  I read that when he interviewed for Veep he told Team Harris he was NOT a good debater.  He's not, and it's good he knows that.  Kamala absolutely clobbered Trump in their one debate.  That debate Walz did with Vance was when momentum started to shift away from Harris.  She commented in her book that she did not think he did a great job.  Meanwhile, we now know she really wanted Pete Buttigieg on the ticket.  And his mouth is arguably even more skilled than yours, Sis.  🤪   Albeit in a different way.  No one would argue the choice of Veep would have made a difference.  But it is an interesting historical woulda coulda shoulda.)

[Suckrates]

4 minutes ago, stevenkesslar said:

Can't wait.  😁  (I'm invited, right Sis?)

Some of this stuff is just funny it is so pathetic.

The 27 year old ad maker who helped spawned Platner and bragged about looking down on working class idiots is an idiot, in fact.  His career is over - at least for a while.

But some of the so called "pro's" are almost as bad.

I think it is generally considered the status quo that Haley Stevens in Michigan is not a great candidate.  This is coming from "mainstream" people like Mark Halperin and Jim Carville.  Who are in fact very good judges of these things.  So they say that she is a mediocre candidate.  And then in the next breath they fret about how we can't nominate some "progressive" or "extreme left wing" or "socialist" type. 

Even though ................ wait for it ............. the polls consistently show El-Sayed doing slightly better than Stevens against Rogers.  Who is probably the most formidable candidate the GOP is running in a state Democrats absolutely need to win to have a prayer of a Senate majority.  I assume the thought process is that once you get a democratic socialist like Mamdani on the ballot, it's a sure thing he will drag Democrats down.   🤔

And that turned out to be true.  Mamdani did drag Dan Goldman and a lot of other solid Democrats down.  Poor things!

My trip down memory lane with Wellstone is partly based on this.  In the 1980's Reaganomics ruled.  And Democrats in Minnesota kept running these Establishment types that kept losing Senate and Guv races.  Wellstone was generally viewed as the last person in Minnesota who could actually take a Republican out.  And yet he was the one who took a Republican out. 

And what he started really has not stopped in Minnesota, thanks in part to some very committed activists who organized like crazy to continue his legacy.  Even the moderate Democrats like Klobuchar pay homage to Wellstone and his grassroots movement as if he were a God.  More important, Tim Walz - who got his start at Camp Wellstone - has proven that Wellstone-y Democrats can govern.  Yeah, he's had a scandal.  But it has not tarnished the chances of other Democrats who will likely take the Guv and Senate races.

The best case scenario in my mind is that enough of these left wingers win that they prove they can both win, and govern competently.  Mamdani is off to a pretty good start.  But as I noted in my prior post, it is a fact that actual working class people and Blacks are NOT voting for these left wing types.  So if Democrats or democratic socialists really think this is a ticket to power after Trump, there is a lot of work to be done.

(Side note, since I mentioned Walz.  I read that when he interviewed for Veep he told Team Harris he was NOT a good debater.  He's not, and it's good he knows that.  Kamala absolutely clobbered Trump in their one debate.  That debate Walz did with Vance was when momentum started to shift away from Harris.  She commented in her book that she did not think he did a great job.  Meanwhile, we now know she really wanted Pete Buttigieg on the ticket.  And his mouth is arguably even more skilled than yours, Sis.  🤪   Albeit in a different way.  No one would argue the choice of Veep would have made a difference.  But it is an interesting historical woulda coulda shoulda.)

Well, while anything is better than a Republican these days,  old school Dems aint a popular bunch, so it may be time for a different "flavor" ?    I'm all for tasting different flavors  🍆🍆    And the more Trump & Co calls DSA "commies"  the more popular they seem to be getting, especially with the youngins.....  Afterall, youngins LOVED Bernie, and Bernie seems all-in with DSA, so it may be written in the stars.....  And I have blown Mamdani so many times for the 2 years stable RENT he gave me, that I am getting tired of giving BJ's.    (Did I just REALLY say that?)     

And the added benefit of the rise of DSA is that it freaks those MAGA lunatics the fuck out !    👍

[stevenkesslar]

15 minutes ago, Suckrates said:

And the added benefit of the rise of DSA is that it freaks those MAGA lunatics the fuck out !    👍

Just asking for a friend

Steve Bannon is NOT invited to the 3way, is he?

 

17 minutes ago, Suckrates said:

And I have blown Mamdani so many times for the 2 years stable RENT he gave me, that I am getting tired of giving BJ's. 

Truly, maybe I should take your place Sis.

We don't want you to feel exhausted.

[Suckrates]

2 hours ago, stevenkesslar said:

Just asking for a friend

Steve Bannon is NOT invited to the 3way, is he?

 

Truly, maybe I should take your place Sis.

We don't want you to feel exhausted.

 

Bannon, NO....  in fact I never like too many cocks cooks in the kitchen .  Afterall I am 75 now, and I have limited flexibility.....

If anyone can fill my Loubatins,  its an old whore like YOU, Sis.......   You didnt ascend to C list ho*ker for nada.... 

[RockyRoadTravel]

Wasn't Platner's rise partly a reaction to people just saying no, anybody but the 77 year old endorsed by out of State establishment Democrats?  

[Suckrates]

 

"Susan Collins is ALWAYS concerned"

Yet, she does nothing but consistently vote with Trumps cruel, criminal , racist and divisive policies and appropriations......

So says Troy Jackson, in his Maine Senator nomination speech in which he excoriated Collins for the partisan FRAUD she is.....

Jackson is the guy that replaces Platner for the Dem seat in Maine.  

Collins needs to be sent packing in the mids, so she can tend to her "benign essential tumor" which has caused her shaking and speech impairment for 30 years.   

[RockyRoadTravel]

I think Troy Jackson has the Maine Democrats back on track to win in November.  

[Suckrates]

1 hour ago, RockyRoadTravel said:

I think Troy Jackson has the Maine Democrats back on track to win in November.  

Jackson has HIS baggage that the GOP will be ramping up attacks on..... aligning him with the candidate they just "forced out" !  

Troy Jackson’s political baggage includes a reported hot temper, past sharp clashes with colleagues, and his previous close alignment with former Senate candidate Graham Platner. 

[stevenkesslar]

6 hours ago, Suckrates said:

Jackson has HIS baggage that the GOP will be ramping up attacks on..... aligning him with the candidate they just "forced out" !  

Troy Jackson’s political baggage includes a reported hot temper, past sharp clashes with colleagues, and his previous close alignment with former Senate candidate Graham Platner. 

That will be interesting to watch.

Maybe they have something like he raped somebody.  But I doubt it.  We'll all learn soon.

Jackson is almost the anti-Planter.  He is a legitimate 5th generation logger from Maine.  No one disputes this.  In Oregon, Democrats started to lose loggers decades ago because of things like protecting the spotted owl.  He started his political career as an anti-choice Republican.  Fast forward and as Maine Senate President,  he helped oldster Dem Guv Janet Mills shepherd through some pro-choice bills after the takedown of Roe v. Wade.

Quote

Jackson, who was raised Catholic, now says he was wrong on abortion and same-sex marriage and has built a voting record in recent years that is more aligned with national party positions. Still, his ideological past has continued to haunt him in some races, including this year’s primary for governor.

It would be a bit like saying he is one of those anti-same sex marriage Democrats (think Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton) who changed along the way.  Largely because we, the LGHTQ community, and our allies changed the political environment.  I will keep saying this until I die.  I am so proud to be a Gay man.  We literally won the battle not of a year, or a decade, or a century.  To paraphrase  Jeb Bush, we changed millenia of history.  Jeb Bush never got it.  The Democrats  above and Troy Jackson did.

My point is he seems almost perfect.  If the point is to run real working class candidates who have been vetted, who do know how politics work, and who have had a relatively successful career, he seems like the real thing.  Platner was not that.  He was an outsider and charismatic guy chosen by some crappy young political operatives who took himself down.

From what I have read arguably Jackson's biggest problem is he has zero rizz.  That may help explain why he lost two primaries:  one for US House years ago, one for Guv this year.  

So that in itself will be interesting.  Susan Collins herself isn't exactly charismatic.  But hopefully it means he has 100 days to run a campaign about what Mainers care about most.  Which is probably not charisma.  If he can avoid making himself the issue, or letting Republicans make him the issue, he could win.

The Platner thing was messy.  But in the end what it does say is that some Democrats don't want sleazy guys like Trump to be their leader.  That's arguably a plus.

[Suckrates]

7 hours ago, stevenkesslar said:

That will be interesting to watch.

Maybe they have something like he raped somebody.  But I doubt it.  We'll all learn soon.

Jackson is almost the anti-Planter.  He is a legitimate 5th generation logger from Maine.  No one disputes this.  In Oregon, Democrats started to lose loggers decades ago because of things like protecting the spotted owl.  He started his political career as an anti-choice Republican.  Fast forward and as Maine Senate President,  he helped oldster Dem Guv Janet Mills shepherd through some pro-choice bills after the takedown of Roe v. Wade.

It would be a bit like saying he is one of those anti-same sex marriage Democrats (think Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton) who changed along the way.  Largely because we, the LGHTQ community, and our allies changed the political environment.  I will keep saying this until I die.  I am so proud to be a Gay man.  We literally won the battle not of a year, or a decade, or a century.  To paraphrase  Jeb Bush, we changed millenia of history.  Jeb Bush never got it.  The Democrats  above and Troy Jackson did.

My point is he seems almost perfect.  If the point is to run real working class candidates who have been vetted, who do know how politics work, and who have had a relatively successful career, he seems like the real thing.  Platner was not that.  He was an outsider and charismatic guy chosen by some crappy young political operatives who took himself down.

From what I have read arguably Jackson's biggest problem is he has zero rizz.  That may help explain why he lost two primaries:  one for US House years ago, one for Guv this year.  

So that in itself will be interesting.  Susan Collins herself isn't exactly charismatic.  But hopefully it means he has 100 days to run a campaign about what Mainers care about most.  Which is probably not charisma.  If he can avoid making himself the issue, or letting Republicans make him the issue, he could win.

The Platner thing was messy.  But in the end what it does say is that some Democrats don't want sleazy guys like Trump to be their leader.  That's arguably a plus.

For me, Jackson is just another typical low energy, political old White guy,  nothing that really EXCITES my senses or makes me even CARE.....

At least my Mamdani gave me a "stiffy" almost immediately.    

Jackson is a "dick Deflator".......

[stevenkesslar]

3 hours ago, Suckrates said:

For me, Jackson is just another typical low energy, political old White guy,  nothing that really EXCITES my senses or makes me even CARE.....

At least my Mamdani gave me a "stiffy" almost immediately.    

Jackson is a "dick Deflator".......

 

Fair enough, Sis.

We don't even get to see Troy Jackson's nipple.

Which is probably a good thing.  Perhaps if Platner was better at keeping his dick in his pants, none of this would have happened.

But if Platner is one of the 4 wins Democrats need to have a Senate majority, that will give me a political  hard on.

And here are three things 51 Democrats could do that will give me a political hard on, from least important to most important.

3.  Hold oversight hearings on Trump Grift.  Make sure every MAGA voters know how Trump is grifting them.

2.  Stop the Iran war.  Draw a map for how we have stability and leadership in the Middle East when Democrats rule.

1.  Deal with affordability.  Restore the extended child tax credit, for starters.  Cut child poverty in half - again.  More housing vouchjers.  A national housing trust to help small businesses build affordable homes and cut regulations that make it harder.    Raise wages.  Tax billionaires to p[ay for it.  Let Trump veto it.

This will all be fine, Sis.  If I could just have that small list of small things, perhaps I wouldn't be so jealous that you get to suck Zohran's cock every day.

There.  I said it. 💞

[Suckrates]

7 minutes ago, stevenkesslar said:

 

Fair enough, Sis.

We don't even get to see Troy Jackson's nipple.

Which is probably a good thing.  Perhaps if Platner was better at keeping his dick in his pants, none of this would have happened.

But if Platner is one of the 4 wins Democrats need to have a Senate majority, that will give me a political  hard on.

And here are three things 51 Democrats could do that will give me a political hard on, from least important to most important.

3.  Hold oversight hearings on Trump Grift.  Make sure every MAGA voters know how Trump is grifting them.

2.  Stop the Iran war.  Draw a map for how we have stability and leadership in the Middle East when Democrats rule.

1.  Deal with affordability.  Restore the extended child tax credit, for starters.  Cut child poverty in half - again.  More housing vouchjers.  A national housing trust to help small businesses build affordable homes and cut regulations that make it harder.    Raise wages.  Tax billionaires to p[ay for it.  Let Trump veto it.

This will all be fine, Sis.  If I could just have that small list of small things, perhaps I wouldn't be so jealous that you get to suck Zohran's cock every day.

There.  I said it. 💞

 

TO ADDRESS YOUR LIST:

3)  Even if MAGA understood about Trumps grifting, they wouldnt care,  just as they support his Iran war because "we cant let Iran have a nuclear weapon"...  Trump has burned THAT into their minds.

2)  Stop the War ?    MAGA seems to support Trumps war, because Trump loves the war....  If Trump likes it....THEY love it !     War shows them Trump is a big, tough LETHAL guy, just like the war poster boy Hegseth....  If your testosterone oozes out,  YOU ARE TRUE MAGA......

1)  This is a sticky wicket, because while MAGA knows there is an affordibility crisis,  they are willing to deal with it because Trump tells them prices will drop like a rock when the war ends  (which COULD be years from now).....   MAGA will put up with Trump stealing from them AND making their lives more expensive at the same time, because IF TRUMP DOES IT, IT'S OK  !    Afterall, he was GOD sent   

[stevenkesslar]

28 minutes ago, Suckrates said:

 

TO ADDRESS YOUR LIST:

3)  Even if MAGA understood about Trumps grifting, they wouldnt care,  just as they support his Iran war because "we cant let Iran have a nuclear weapon"...  Trump has burned THAT into their minds.

2)  Stop the War ?    MAGA seems to support Trumps war, because Trump loves the war....  If Trump likes it....THEY love it !     War shows them Trump is a big, tough LETHAL guy, just like the war poster boy Hegseth....  If your testosterone oozes out,  YOU ARE TRUE MAGA......

1)  This is a sticky wicket, because while MAGA knows there is an affordibility crisis,  they are willing to deal with it because Trump tells them prices will drop like a rock when the war ends  (which COULD be years from now).....   MAGA will put up with Trump stealing from them AND making their lives more expensive at the same time, because IF TRUMP DOES IT, IT'S OK  !    Afterall, he was GOD sent   

 

So, to be clear, your main point is that MAGA people are helpless, ignorant, loyal Pavlov's dogs.  They would literally kill for Trump.  Who knows.  We may still have a Civil War.

Why don't we consult with @Barknaway on that?  

 

I mostly agree.  But it depends on how you define "MAGA."   

We know for sure that about one in 4 Republicans do not identify with MAGA.  We also know that many 2024 Trump voters are Independents.  We know some of these people regret voting for Trump, and say so.

I'm hoping a Democrat can win the Presidency with over 50 percent of the vote in 2028.  To do that, we absolutely need some people who voted for Trump in 2024.  That's not an opinion.  That's math.

Trump is our best asset in moving some of those voters away from him.  He has done so already.

But I think what I laid out are three things a Democratic Congress could do to help that project along.

3.  Shine a massive spotlight on Trump Grift.

2.  End the war and the global misery it is causing.  Draw a map for stability in that region that does not involve Forever Wars.  Involve allies rather than insult them.  Europe is already figuring out how to be a neutral party that makes the Strait of Hormuz safe again.  Stop pretending Israel is a friend.  The Genocide Jew dragged us into a genocide war that is hurting the world and dividing America.

1.  Have a huge list of ways to make life more affordable.  It should include taxing the rich more.

As far as your main point, I have no doubt that some MAGA diehards would thank Trump for shooting them on 5th Ave.  We have known that from the beginning.

Robert Pape brought up a good point in an interview with Steven Bartlett.  If the Iran war causes a global recession, it helps Democrats win.  If Iran retaliates with a mass casualty event - some terrorist attack - it may help Trump and Republicans hold on.  If it were another 9/11, we know where that goes.  It would rally the MAGA faithful to the cause.  Even if they are a minority.  I'm not rooting for either a recession or a terrorist attack.  But, I would argue, Trump and MAGA are - through their actions.

I'm hoping Iran is strategic enough to realize this.  They seem to understand they can use democracy to achieve their theocratic ends.  They are doing a very good job humiliating Trump.  They are helping the US look like the asshole that insults you, kills your children, and makes your food and oil more expensive.  So hopefully they know rallying the MAGA faithful to want to nuke them is not a good idea.  We'll see.

[Suckrates]

1 hour ago, stevenkesslar said:

 

So, to be clear, your main point is that MAGA people are helpless, ignorant, loyal Pavlov's dogs.  They would literally kill for Trump.  Who knows.  We may still have a Civil War.

Why don't we consult with @Barknaway on that?  

 

I mostly agree.  But it depends on how you define "MAGA."   

We know for sure that about one in 4 Republicans do not identify with MAGA.  We also know that many 2024 Trump voters are Independents.  We know some of these people regret voting for Trump, and say so.

I'm hoping a Democrat can win the Presidency with over 50 percent of the vote in 2028.  To do that, we absolutely need some people who voted for Trump in 2024.  That's not an opinion.  That's math.

Trump is our best asset in moving some of those voters away from him.  He has done so already.

But I think what I laid out are three things a Democratic Congress could do to help that project along.

3.  Shine a massive spotlight on Trump Grift.

2.  End the war and the global misery it is causing.  Draw a map for stability in that region that does not involve Forever Wars.  Involve allies rather than insult them.  Europe is already figuring out how to be a neutral party that makes the Strait of Hormuz safe again.  Stop pretending Israel is a friend.  The Genocide Jew dragged us into a genocide war that is hurting the world and dividing America.

1.  Have a huge list of ways to make life more affordable.  It should include taxing the rich more.

As far as your main point, I have no doubt that some MAGA diehards would thank Trump for shooting them on 5th Ave.  We have known that from the beginning.

Robert Pape brought up a good point in an interview with Steven Bartlett.  If the Iran war causes a global recession, it helps Democrats win.  If Iran retaliates with a mass casualty event - some terrorist attack - it may help Trump and Republicans hold on.  If it were another 9/11, we know where that goes.  It would rally the MAGA faithful to the cause.  Even if they are a minority.  I'm not rooting for either a recession or a terrorist attack.  But, I would argue, Trump and MAGA are - through their actions.

I'm hoping Iran is strategic enough to realize this.  They seem to understand they can use democracy to achieve their theocratic ends.  They are doing a very good job humiliating Trump.  They are helping the US look like the asshole that insults you, kills your children, and makes your food and oil more expensive.  So hopefully they know rallying the MAGA faithful to want to nuke them is not a good idea.  We'll see.

 

One exception....in the era of Trump, if you are a loyal Republican, and vote true to party lines, then by default YOU ARE MAGA,  since its MAGA that has their stronghold on the party...

So to all Republicans that take offense at being lumped as MAGA......if you are voting in favor of right-wing agenda,  and choosing candidates that back and enable Trump.... Guess What ?

You are  

 

We need the day to come when THIS happens.....    

[RockyRoadTravel]

23 hours ago, stevenkesslar said:

I'm hoping a Democrat can win the Presidency with over 50 percent of the vote in 2028.  To do that, we absolutely need some people who voted for Trump in 2024.  That's not an opinion.  That's math.

Trump is our best asset in moving some of those voters away from him.  He has done so already.

 

The best thing the Democrats could do, if possible, would be to move their nomination up a full year and select their next Presidential candidate in 2027.  Have a leader of the party who could start pushing an alternative vision and call out the corruption and incompetence of this moron-buffoon (I think moron-buffoon is hyphenated?) who is currently in what's left of the White House.