This story has it all: aquaculture, Black Flag, Bernie Sanders, Star Trek as policy, John Hodgman, male tears, and a candidate citing Luthen’s monologue from Andor.
Meet Graham Platner, the Maine oysterman trying to crack the senate. @grahamformaine.bsky.social
Graham Platner’s campaign launch has been a sudden sensation. But what he’s building now is rooted in the work of a lifetime.
Wouldn’t it be nice to finally put Collins out to graze…..
I enjoyed your profile of Platner. Thanks!
This is the kind of messed up sonovabitch we need running the tilt-a-whirl right now.
Hi! Do you happen to know if he supports Ukraine? From everything I've read I like him but one major issue for me I haven't been able to find his position on is Russia's brutal war in Ukraine and the need for the free world to stand up to Putin.
"Platner used to say running for office seemed like a distraction—and, frankly, too much of a longshot. Now, he’s letting his passion rule him. “And,” he says, namechecking his wife, “Amy’s grateful she doesn’t have to listen to me rant anymore, now that I’m ranting at […]
lights, psychos, furbies
The Democrats have to get off their old people shit. Bernie is correct, Platner for Maine, Platner for America!
Fantastic article. And as a Maine resident, can confirm: Dem campaign signs and Trump campaign signs practically alternate houses; it’s quite common in the state to have a contact list that extends from dyed in the wool left progressives to MAGA nutcases
This is a fantastic write up — excellent work and thank you for sharing it. (A much needed shot in the arm this Friday morning amidst all of the terrible news bombarding us daily!)
Hardest of hard passes on this dude
Graham Platner 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 Vote him in
As a concerned ex-pat, I’ve been hoping for Mills (fully cognizant of her age), but I’m definitely listening…!
Susan should be “concerned” about this guy. He seems a perfect fit for Maine.
I spent two days with Platner and, as you’ll read, was as impressed by his theory of power as I was by his policies. I think it’s FAR more important than the “how do you talk to Trump voters” question.
Rebellions are built on hope.
I’m steadfast never Collins but cast a wary eye towards anyone without a track record these days. So your account will help me and prob many others vet any newcomer I fear could become another fetterman. Harsh but we can’t be conned by anyone else again. It’s approaching unfixable territory already
This guy sounds great, but I hope he doesn't pull a Fetterman if elected. (I realize that possibly we misread Fetterman or he changed post-stroke, but I am always suspicious of people who sound too good to be true).
This was a wonderful article. Thank you so much for profiling @grahamformaine.bsky.social
There's no way he's not gonna win.
I’ve been yapping for years in my little corner about we need democrats that have what I call an authentic relationship to power. People comfortable building and using power, not asking others for theirs, not pointing out how it should be used. This guy has it. Voters can read it in a person.
Where does Schumer looks for candidates, nursing homes?
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Ana, your work has always been top-notch, but the stuff you've been writing recently has been particularly good. This piece is a great example. Excellent work. And as a host, starting the interview by asking about oyster farming was smart.
.......ok that's an amazing list though
He sounds principled. Which is why he is more appealing than the mealy mouthed Dems who can't bring themselves to stand for something. They're afraid of things that were a threat to their position in the pre Trump world when the real threat to all of us is Trump and his antisocial policies.
Oh please get Susan Collins out of govt.
If this guy gets elected to the Senate, I say he becomes a real contender for President. Have not seen him interviewed, so not sure if he has the right charisma, but if he does, this is The Guy.
Great article! Read it.
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Isn't this the sort of person who should be representing the people in Congress? Not an elite, not an technogarch but someone who has recently lived in the people's shoes.
Oh he is so badly needed in so many ways!
This quote from Platner blew me away in its insight and power: “If you believe in a better world, you need to get right with the fact that you may never see it.”
“You have to build things for people to access. You have to build the apparatus for change, even if no one else shows up…People live their entire lives building something they may never see succeed. And you do it anyway.”
@kenmartin.bsky.social: You need to reach out to this guy, just like Zohran.
He's got my vote. Quite literally. I will vote for him if he makes it to the general election.
Damn, that's a good piece.
Great piece!
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Jeez, there's more there than meets the eye. I like the cut of his jib.
Gonna give to his campaign for the #StarTrek references alone!
The party needs to embrace the populist segment of the party; as true economic populism, even if it is only a component of the overall party, is the best messaging the left has to counter the false cultural populist language of MAGA.
Really struck by seeing this in print, because yes yes yes.
My mother's side of the family, including my brother, are all oystermen!
Why you’d go for a 79-year old candidate instead in these times is a mystery to me (and I think Janet Mills has been pretty solid as far as resistance to Fascism goes)
As a Maine resident/voter, he would not have a chance against Collins. Northern and Western ME are the two battle ground areas...areas that Collins does very well. Gov. Mills can carry Southern and Western ME and beat Collins. She has done very well in Western ME and dominates in Southern ME.
You had me a Black Flag
Wonderful!
Anyone else read that first post in Stefan’s voice?
Fabulous article! Brilliantly thorough, earthy, and inspiring. The dog descriptions alone are worth the read.
It's also beautifully written!
Inspirational summation
“You have to build things for people to access. You have to build the apparatus for change, even if no one else shows up. If you don’t build the movement, it won’t be there when the day for action comes.
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This reminded me of a Stefon bit from SNL!!
Not a bad time of year for a working trip to Maine. AMC has avoided the cliques often noticeable in articles written about Maine or Mainers by folks from away. Brava!
Fantastic article on him, Ana Marie. I hope Maine goes for him and I hope Schumer (and Mills) back him. I have nothing against Mills but if I were in ME, I'd vote for Platner.
His biggest challenge will not be connecting with Mainers, whether D or I or R, it will be with the DNC given they cannot abandon their oligarchs - they are the left wing of the same mutant pigeon the right wing is attached to - both beat to the drum of billionaires. (PS.I'm an oyster-eating Mainer)
I loved this profile. He sounds like a great person (and candidate) and you are an exceptionally good writer.
👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️Adios Susan Collins & take your fake concerns with you👍
Just in case any of you kids need an introduction to Black Flag: www.youtube.com/watch?v=psUO...
YouTube video by Black Flag - Topic
In any other time, he might be a great choice! But the Senate? We need experienced folks who know how to govern and in that arena, how to get crap done cause there's not only the regular every day running a country stuff, 1/2
Hilarious tease, superb read, compelling subject. Thx for nationalizing. The gentleman’s on to something..
I came for the "Star Trek as policy" and stayed for the "Luthen's monologue from Andor."
Hi Ana, I want to thank you, and I mean this with complete sincerity, for including the following passage.
"He bends over to haul up the crates, T-shirt riding up. Platner is not a candidate who checks if his boxers are showing when a reporter is watching."
You had me at Black Flag
Great article. Well worth the read.
Amazing that everyone talks Star Trek but nobody talks about Andor. We want to aspire to be Star Trek, but we're living in Andor.
You forgot "no chance whatsoever of success."
He named his dog after Warren Zevon? OK, I am sending him another $10.
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You had me at Black Flag.
As beautiful as it is, I’ve never wished to live in Maine before now. Good luck to this man.
This is so good, thank you!
I'm a Maine progressive. I've asked him three times if he supports badly-needed gun reform. There's not a word about it on his campaign website or in this article. I want to defeat Collins, and I want to like Platner, but he won't answer the question. Can you get an answer for me?
Blasting Police Story by Black Flag as I donate $20
TV party tonight! TV party tonight! We've got nothing better to do Than watch Andor and have a couple of brews!
That was great. I enjoyed reading it.
So he's doing the "use the Dem party for their money but also shit on them" approach that Bernie helped establish. I find that so short sighted. Most Dems are fighting this admin hard and we don't get out of this by undermining the party.
Want to think that this could be the formula that finally unseats Susan Collins whose 3 card monte political strategies have bamboozled Mainers for decades.
Dynamite article. Thank you Ann for introducing us to Graham. He's smart and well-read, clearly a talented communicator and compassionate individual. Make my state proud, dude! 🖖
Majority report caller and discord member OysterFarmer? Yeah. That guy is gunna win big
Great piece. Thank you.
Beautiful piece, Ana Marie.
“Wake up babe. New Amy McGrath just dropped!”
Wonderful piece. Thank you.
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This is the man who will take down Susan Collins. Believe it!
This ⬇️
Also has dogs! Glad a Dem is playing a long game for real results. Sounds great. He already has friends everywhere. 🖖🏼
Terrific read
Seems like a straightshooter that wants a better life for the working class that is inclusive.
John Hodgman and Star Trek? 🙄
He needs to do better than that -- a LOT better.
Please don’t be another Fetterman.
This is beautifully written. Thank you
Look at them forearms I’d vote just for them alone
Even male tears!
There are tears but that's wholly separate from male tears. Good on you for calling that out!
Is he planning on wearing cargo shorts to the senate?
I hope Collins finally has to have some 'real concerns' .....cowerdace and fake outrage must have a price!
Hey Don, this guy is "straigh"t from Centrsl Casting, no man-boobs like Vlad. I'll forward this to Melanoma and Miller, if you and Vlad are still an item. How 'bout new SecDef!?
Seems pretty cool TBH
Aquaculture Black Flag Bernie Sanders Star Trek John Hodgman Male Tears Luthen, Andor, Platner's fears
This was a fantastic read, thanks for your reporting
Sounds like the ossified DNC is trying to shut him down like they are doing to @moedavis.bsky.social in Western North Carolina. It boggles this Canadian’s mind that the DNC is controlled by such craven cowards.
Take her down!!
Can we copy & paste this guy for Colorado? I want him running in every open election we have
Sign me up. This guy is great.
Great piece. I’d vote for Graham if I lived in main.
Also, his launch ad “slaps” as my 25 year old son would say.
this ad slaps
As a Mainer, I will definitely keep an eye on him
as a longtime fan of oysters, boy howdy does congress need some aggressive filter feeding
Great piece. Thank you Ana. I've excitedly shared this with family in Maine.
Also, trying to recruit a 77 year old to run against Collins shows how little Schumer has reflected on criticism of his and other party big shots leadership. And I from what I know, I think well of Janet Mills.
Does it also have MTV’s Dan Cortese?
WTF? John Hodgm - oh, right, Maine. Carry on.
Thanks for this. I have a nuanced question about his ability to run things, mostly if he has a single individual or group he trusts to do the work of a statewide office + political operation while he gives speeches and travels ect, or is he just hoping to find those along the way?
You had me at John Hodgman 😂😂😂
Thank you for this, since I have already begun receiving fundraising texts from this guy and they mostly badmouth Democrats. 😒
The repub "advantage" in terms of "cullture war" issues disappears when economy tanks, they know they have nothing else except "culture war" issues. Bubba down in the bayou is going to care alot less about culture war if he struggles to put food on table.
Its politically incompetent if your plan for electoral success is to win trump voters, that's a form of appeasement, it will not work. This oyster guy had it right, be yourself, state your position, recognise the bullshit. Look at people like Mace in congress, its all culture war, all the time
Really great work.
This is nicely written. AI is going to cost us so much, including quality storytelling and craft like this. Well done.
You had me at Luthen.
Wonderful piece, thank you!
I bet this has her “concerned”
She needs to be gone. Most right wing conservatives with her too!
That is delightfully well-written. Thank you!
I subscribed to TNR for 30 years starting in the '60s, but dropped the sub during the magazine'sMartin Peretz neo-con/New Dem era. Between you and Perry Bacon, I may need to give it another look.
This was refreshing, thank you.
