this post was submitted on 09 Jun 2026
45 points (94.1% liked)

Progressive Politics

4692 readers
1185 users here now

Welcome to Progressive Politics! A place for news updates and political discussion from a left perspective. Conservatives and centrists are welcome just try and keep it civil :)

(Sidebar still a work in progress post recommendations if you have them such as reading lists)

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
all 12 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 15 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Yep - been saying this for a while now.

And I’m not here to brush his issues under the rug, either. But the responses I’ve seen from him, to me, look an awful lot like a guy who owns his shit. He’s been honest and straightforward about his (to be fair, reasonably serious) issues from the past, but also seems to have genuinely improved and done a ton of work on himself. As someone who has also done a ton of work on themself, I respect the effort, honesty, and trajectory - not to mention, that’s a damn sight more real of a track record of genuine improvement than just about any politician, who’s far more likely to bullshit you to get your vote and then just do what AIPAC or the DNC establishment says.

I’d rather have an honest, flawed politician who’s genuinely trying to be a better person and actually largely aligns with the concerns of their constituents than a “perfect” electable candidate who jacks off to the status quo.

[–] BonsaiBoo@lemmy.world 9 points 2 days ago

Well put, I’m also a fellow self worker, and I don’t get my “bullshitter alarm bells” set off when he speaks. The campaign to discredit him, however, feels exactly like all the other political smear campaigns we’ve seen funded by the ultra wealthy and the establishment.

[–] ZombiFrancis@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

There are two avenues of attack: against his supported policies, and against his person.

I haven't seen any effective discussion, let alone attacks, against his policies. Everything is against his person.

The best his policies can be assailed is by casting doubt on him as a person. Since he isn't actively campaigning on supporting genocide, the lobby against him needs to draw attention away from his expressed policies.

Because ultimately his election would be a massive blow to the status quo.

[–] TokenBoomer@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

If I could make this a distinguished comment, I would.

[–] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

It worked on Al Franken, it worked on Katie Porter, so rightists and liberals will use continue to use this playbook because it works.

It is the same “weaponize religious purity” playbook that has been used by oligarchs for thousands of years.

Did anyone think they weren't?

[–] neuracnu@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 2 days ago

NPR had an insightful long form interview with him last week. He seems to be a challenging guy to figure out. I don’t envy Mainers making this decision.

https://youtu.be/lIhRMHc0mkw

[–] Transform2942@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago
[–] AntiBullyRanger@ani.social 2 points 2 days ago

The Attacks on Graham Platner Are Politically Motivated

Wait, is he not runnig for Senate for a Politically Motivated reason

Graham Platner’s critics are operating with a politically motivated double standard.

No genocide?

[–] Bloomcole@lemmy.world -4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

That poor racist baby murdering POS

[–] gdog05@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Oh hey, you're mentioned in the article