Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sop

(16,672 posts)
Wed Oct 22, 2025, 04:11 PM Oct 22

'Allies Challenge Corporate Media Onslaught Against Working-Class Champion Graham Platner'

"US Sen. Bernie Sanders was among the progressives voicing continued support for working-class Senate candidate Graham Platner as he faces a relentless onslaught of negative corporate media attention over his past online posts and a tattoo he says was a drunken mistake that has now been covered with fresh ink."

"The firestorm began last week, when CNN published a story featuring deleted Reddit posts in which Platner—who is running to unseat Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)—called himself a 'communist,' castigated police, downplayed sexual assault in the military, and asked, 'Why don’t black people tip?' "

"Allies of Platner, including US Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), came to his defense, accusing the Democratic Party establishment of trying to undermine him for the benefit of its preferred candidate in the race, Maine Gov. Janet Mills—who announced her bid for Collins’ Senate seat a day before the CNN story broke."

"Some argued the fierceness of the backlash against Platner stems from the anti-oligarchy messaging that he’s made central to his campaign."

Full article at link:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/progressives-support-graham-platner

Interesting article, lots of good quotes.

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
'Allies Challenge Corporate Media Onslaught Against Working-Class Champion Graham Platner' (Original Post) sop Oct 22 OP
If a Republican had a nazi tattoo or said what he said... nycbos Oct 22 #1
You'd think left-leaning Maine Democrats would be able to find a true progressive candidate without all this baggage. sop Oct 22 #2
The party didn't pick him. He's running as "an establishment candidate." nycbos Oct 22 #3

nycbos

(6,634 posts)
1. If a Republican had a nazi tattoo or said what he said...
Wed Oct 22, 2025, 04:16 PM
Oct 22

… about African-Americans or women in the military who are victims of sexual assault we would set our hair on fire. But he supports single payer health care he gets a free pass.

?si=8kjC24voD1rMd6Hr

sop

(16,672 posts)
2. You'd think left-leaning Maine Democrats would be able to find a true progressive candidate without all this baggage.
Wed Oct 22, 2025, 04:36 PM
Oct 22

nycbos

(6,634 posts)
3. The party didn't pick him. He's running as "an establishment candidate."
Wed Oct 22, 2025, 05:10 PM
Oct 22

That is why I posted the Monty Python clip.

However, it's not mutually exclusive to think we should be thinking differently than a 77-year-old Senate candidate

Latest Discussions»Editorials & Other Articles»'Allies Challenge Corpora...