Just brilliant analysis...especially the line:The misjudgments of 80-year-olds carry a unique burden — not because of their age — but because they are less likely to live with the full consequences of the decisions they make.
Indeed, the Platner candidacy says a lot about not just the Democratic Party, but the political process in this country. The lack of seriousness that pervades American politics, at least in part, can be traced back to the changes in the way political parties select candidates. I’m old enough to remember when candidates were selected by conventions, and some would complain that the real selection were made in smoke-filled rooms.
Well, primaries supplanted the smoke-filled rooms and conventions. But can anyone argue that this has improved the quality of candidates? I doubt that Graham Platner, Marjorie Taylor Green, John Fetterman, Lauren Boebert or Donald Trump would have emerged as candidates in that era. Primaries have given inordinate power to attention seeking candidates adept at manipulating media and both mass and social media have further amplified their voices. The primary election itself gives inordinate power in selecting candidates to the most extreme and committed voters, and primaries are themselves used as threats against candidates who can’t cater successfully to those extremes.
If we manage to survive as a democracy past November, we must reform so many of the glaring structural weaknesses exposed by Trump regime and more broadly. Part of that must include changes to the primary system. I personally would like to see non-partisan ranked choice voting that would allow the majority of voters to sift through the candidates, rather than ceding that power to the few extremists that show up for a June Primary.
I'm with you. I remember watching conventions, both Democratic and Republican, on TV when I was a kid. There was some sort of excitement to the whole thing. Who was going to be the nominee?
But now, it's not so much "wow" as it is "whatever". The nominees are a foregone conclusion.
Maybe the old way was subject to too much wheeling and dealing, but in the present way, there's still wheeling and dealing only now it's done prior to the conventions and it's boring.
If the higher levels of government has no morals and convictions it will trickle down to everyone else. Setting good standards and examples for our country should be the priority not the non priority.
Where is Elaine Chao? Where is the McConnell family? This is not Where’s Waldo. So much of today’s political activity is a game with no substance and purpose beyond hiding truth, ignoring facts, and finger crossing that nothing goes wrong or too wrong. But, come on! Basic humanity calls for family members to step up and do what’s right.
I was cracking up earlier reading some of the comments people were making about the story of the GOP Senator who said he spoke with him this week. (Facebook) A friend of mine wrote,"I guarantee you he didnt reply back" and another guy said Mitch replied, "It’s hot down here." Bet it is Mitch!! No one deserves it more. Except for dear Leader of course!! 😆 🤣 😂
Re Platner, the Democrats know they need a certain number of candidates that are different from the typical candidate of the past. But they are unfamiliar with that type of candidate - so they screwed up.
I agree with what they were trying to do, but they can’t afford to do that twice. Need to be very careful to have the right people vetting.
And no more “defund the police and open the prisons” talk from new candidates.
Very risky strategy. Has to be done right or they will fail when we need them most.
Steve you have expressed what I am thinking and feeling about my dam party . I am so fed up. I am a lifelong democrat ... If anyone can shoot themselves in the foot it's them. I feel like whining ... We have to wait to see if this shithead will step down .. He thinks he can have something to say about who is picked .. The thing that is driving me completely crazy is all these old people running things . I am 76 Y.O. and I want to say get off the stage ,you bums. I saw a shot of Trump & Erdogan walking from the back .. I thought we have Schumer and all the old dem senators .. I liked them years ago but it's time to step down . How can young people take ownership of the country if they can't see themselves in there leaders .. Of course Bernie blows us up again by being out front supporting this guy.. You would think he would have had him vetted before he endorsed him. And Bernie you might think about retiring yourself . I know I am all over the place this morning but why did they have to screw this up. Collins is so despicable it should be easy to beat her . Nope, Thank You Democrats ..crazed in america
I originally supported Platner on the assumption that his denials of the accusations were valid and because of the possibility that the accusers were MAGA operatives. I acknowledge Bernie Sander's, whose politics align with mine, support played a role. However, with the latest allegation, Platner has to stop considering stepping down and just do it.
I am a socialist at heart but the country has never been there . One of my sister's helped start the Green Party . She ran for Mayor of NYC in 2000.. Yes I voted for her because she was my sister. When I think about Bernie I think young people are more aligned with him . I would like to see younger leaders in the country . Someone who could take over from Bernie. I understand why Platner was popular .. I was hoping another shoe wouldn't drop but it did. Maybe he will do the right thing and get out now.
Several young and charismatic Democratic Socialists are rising within the Democratic party. Melat Kiros, Mamdani, and AOC come to mind. I would include Jasmine Crockett but some feel she is too angry and outspoken. I think that is the kind of person we need. In my opinion, they would be the best antidote to Trumpism; I will support Democratic Socialists because they want to do what is right for America and the global population. Half-way measures are not going to work. We need to purge the system of greedy, short-sighted egotists who refuse to recognize that we are part of a world community and that it is time to put people before billionaires.
Dems have greatness--Raskin, Schiff, Whitehouse, Sanders, AOC, and more. The downfall is happening with Schumer and Jeffries--non leaders in leadership positions. The Dems are quiet--too quiet. There is no plan, no platform, no captain of the ship to speak out and hold things together. I have not followed politics over the years, but always voted based on events and speeches...until Trump. After agonizing over our deplorable situation and believing that Trump would never return after one term and J6, only a year or so ago did I start posting on LI and learning what the heck is going on in Substack. With no visibility to the back rooms personally to see how decisions are made and who is making them, I read to try to keep up. John Fetterman must move to the Republican party. It seems that Platner was the only hope to win that seat--out of desperation. There seems to be no overarching Party leader, except for mailings and a post or two over the years from Ken saying we are suing Trump, send money. The Dem committee is a total failure. If we do not get it together, we will lose everything because the only one speaking is Trump. McConnell is brain dead and a press release must come, along with dragging the gold digger from China back to the U.S. to make funeral arrangements, and stop the heroics to keep McConnell alive as he is never coming back. Has his daughter been kidnapped by the Republicans? Miracles do happen, but not here.
The fact that Mitch’s wife Elaine (one of 45’s cabinet members) is in China while her beloved is laying in a hospital bed suggests he is not alive and well. He could be dead and buried by now. More bullshit coming from Mitch’s minions😡 and Fetterman is either a complete fraud or a freak who isn’t happy unless he’s stirring shit up.
Schumer and Jeffries are two of the worst congressional leaders in history.
Great post. Looking forward to the noon live with Dr Andrew’s.❤️
Please move on! The problem is Democrats want to play nice and please everyone. Those days are over. They tried to please Trump voters and go to the middle instead of sticking to their principles. We do not want a Trump Democrat. Trump is a criminal, a liar and a rapist and much worse than Platner, but his base doesn’t care. He hates women. We do not. Stop looking for a piece of trash and find a decent candidate. There are lots out there! And who cares what John Fetterman thinks? Seriously!?
Good post, but I care about John Fetterman. He’s causing a lot of problems for us they way he votes. Also, I’m mad that I supported his campaign to beat Dr. Oz.
When voters live in fear everyday knowing what he is capable of over the next two years you will do anything to stop it. Many people had the mindset going into the midterms to vote for the candidate that had the best chance. Whether you liked or not . Just have to get the majority in order to make it stop. This is not an excuse but an explanation of how a lot of people feel❣️
Steve: I have no problem using primaries to select candidates. What is needed are two things: one, a way to validate the candidate's background and share with the voters before the primary vote. But more importantly, realistic candidates who know that whatever skeletons are in their closet are going to be discovered. They must assume there is no possibility of hiding them and they will be found out at some time (Platner, Swalwell, Weiner, etc.). And I dare say we will never see another cult leader like Teflon Trump for whom none of these matters.
Appreciate this column Steve. Fetterman is a joke -- totally feckless. And Platner needs to go because as Democrats we still believe in integrity and holding our leaders to a high standard. Whatever comes, so be it. We should be very encouraged, however, but the amount of talent we have on our side, people like Ossoff and Shapiro and Talarico and Moore and many others. We will be fine.
I don't know what possessed Maine Democrats to nominate Platner in the first place and then, when credible allegations came out about him, basically said, "oh well" and went on with their support. Perhaps they felt that, since there's a sexual predator in the White House, another one in the Senate wouldn't be so bad.
Whatever the case may be, Susan Collins is no longer concerned. The Democrats have gifted
her with another term. They have handed said gift over on a silver platter.
Registered Voters Are Already Being Disenfranchised
Beau Bayh grandson of Birch Bayh of Senatorial fame is running for Indiana’s Secretary of State on the Democratic side of the ticket.
He reports that a registered Indiana voter prepared to vote in the Indiana primary and found that she was not eligible to vote(bit.ly/4p3UOLz). Charrie Stambaugh had been a U.S. citizen for nearly three decades and had cast a ballot in every election since she became eligible to vote. But this spring, after seeing a Facebook post encouraging people to check their voter registration status, she found her registration had been canceled. She was one of 1,625 registered voters targeted by Indiana Nazi Republican laws.
“I was not notified at any point that my registration had been revoked … I would not have known that had I not checked myself,” said Stambaugh, who thought it was unlikely other recent voters would randomly think to check their registrations without an election coming up
So a word to involved citizens. Check your voter registration and vote early so you can cure if there is a problem. Also notify and alert friends, neighbors, family, and relatives about the possible disenfranchisement of their ability to vote.
Just brilliant analysis...especially the line:The misjudgments of 80-year-olds carry a unique burden — not because of their age — but because they are less likely to live with the full consequences of the decisions they make.
Indeed, the Platner candidacy says a lot about not just the Democratic Party, but the political process in this country. The lack of seriousness that pervades American politics, at least in part, can be traced back to the changes in the way political parties select candidates. I’m old enough to remember when candidates were selected by conventions, and some would complain that the real selection were made in smoke-filled rooms.
Well, primaries supplanted the smoke-filled rooms and conventions. But can anyone argue that this has improved the quality of candidates? I doubt that Graham Platner, Marjorie Taylor Green, John Fetterman, Lauren Boebert or Donald Trump would have emerged as candidates in that era. Primaries have given inordinate power to attention seeking candidates adept at manipulating media and both mass and social media have further amplified their voices. The primary election itself gives inordinate power in selecting candidates to the most extreme and committed voters, and primaries are themselves used as threats against candidates who can’t cater successfully to those extremes.
If we manage to survive as a democracy past November, we must reform so many of the glaring structural weaknesses exposed by Trump regime and more broadly. Part of that must include changes to the primary system. I personally would like to see non-partisan ranked choice voting that would allow the majority of voters to sift through the candidates, rather than ceding that power to the few extremists that show up for a June Primary.
I'm with you. I remember watching conventions, both Democratic and Republican, on TV when I was a kid. There was some sort of excitement to the whole thing. Who was going to be the nominee?
But now, it's not so much "wow" as it is "whatever". The nominees are a foregone conclusion.
Maybe the old way was subject to too much wheeling and dealing, but in the present way, there's still wheeling and dealing only now it's done prior to the conventions and it's boring.
If the higher levels of government has no morals and convictions it will trickle down to everyone else. Setting good standards and examples for our country should be the priority not the non priority.
Agree!
Amen!!!
Where is Elaine Chao? Where is the McConnell family? This is not Where’s Waldo. So much of today’s political activity is a game with no substance and purpose beyond hiding truth, ignoring facts, and finger crossing that nothing goes wrong or too wrong. But, come on! Basic humanity calls for family members to step up and do what’s right.
I think McConnell's dead. I think he has been all along.
A real life "Weekend At Bernie's" moment.
Indeed so.
I tend to think so too Mary. It'd be just like him wouldn't it?!!
It certainly would be.
I was cracking up earlier reading some of the comments people were making about the story of the GOP Senator who said he spoke with him this week. (Facebook) A friend of mine wrote,"I guarantee you he didnt reply back" and another guy said Mitch replied, "It’s hot down here." Bet it is Mitch!! No one deserves it more. Except for dear Leader of course!! 😆 🤣 😂
That senator must have been at a seance. That's the only way he could have conversed with Mitch.
😆😆😆
Re Platner, the Democrats know they need a certain number of candidates that are different from the typical candidate of the past. But they are unfamiliar with that type of candidate - so they screwed up.
I agree with what they were trying to do, but they can’t afford to do that twice. Need to be very careful to have the right people vetting.
And no more “defund the police and open the prisons” talk from new candidates.
Very risky strategy. Has to be done right or they will fail when we need them most.
The buck stops with Schumer. The Dems are fighting with one hand tied behind their backs with him leading the Senate.
Steve you have expressed what I am thinking and feeling about my dam party . I am so fed up. I am a lifelong democrat ... If anyone can shoot themselves in the foot it's them. I feel like whining ... We have to wait to see if this shithead will step down .. He thinks he can have something to say about who is picked .. The thing that is driving me completely crazy is all these old people running things . I am 76 Y.O. and I want to say get off the stage ,you bums. I saw a shot of Trump & Erdogan walking from the back .. I thought we have Schumer and all the old dem senators .. I liked them years ago but it's time to step down . How can young people take ownership of the country if they can't see themselves in there leaders .. Of course Bernie blows us up again by being out front supporting this guy.. You would think he would have had him vetted before he endorsed him. And Bernie you might think about retiring yourself . I know I am all over the place this morning but why did they have to screw this up. Collins is so despicable it should be easy to beat her . Nope, Thank You Democrats ..crazed in america
I originally supported Platner on the assumption that his denials of the accusations were valid and because of the possibility that the accusers were MAGA operatives. I acknowledge Bernie Sander's, whose politics align with mine, support played a role. However, with the latest allegation, Platner has to stop considering stepping down and just do it.
I am a socialist at heart but the country has never been there . One of my sister's helped start the Green Party . She ran for Mayor of NYC in 2000.. Yes I voted for her because she was my sister. When I think about Bernie I think young people are more aligned with him . I would like to see younger leaders in the country . Someone who could take over from Bernie. I understand why Platner was popular .. I was hoping another shoe wouldn't drop but it did. Maybe he will do the right thing and get out now.
Several young and charismatic Democratic Socialists are rising within the Democratic party. Melat Kiros, Mamdani, and AOC come to mind. I would include Jasmine Crockett but some feel she is too angry and outspoken. I think that is the kind of person we need. In my opinion, they would be the best antidote to Trumpism; I will support Democratic Socialists because they want to do what is right for America and the global population. Half-way measures are not going to work. We need to purge the system of greedy, short-sighted egotists who refuse to recognize that we are part of a world community and that it is time to put people before billionaires.
I'm crazy about Mamdani !
Good post
Thank You Nina !
Dems have greatness--Raskin, Schiff, Whitehouse, Sanders, AOC, and more. The downfall is happening with Schumer and Jeffries--non leaders in leadership positions. The Dems are quiet--too quiet. There is no plan, no platform, no captain of the ship to speak out and hold things together. I have not followed politics over the years, but always voted based on events and speeches...until Trump. After agonizing over our deplorable situation and believing that Trump would never return after one term and J6, only a year or so ago did I start posting on LI and learning what the heck is going on in Substack. With no visibility to the back rooms personally to see how decisions are made and who is making them, I read to try to keep up. John Fetterman must move to the Republican party. It seems that Platner was the only hope to win that seat--out of desperation. There seems to be no overarching Party leader, except for mailings and a post or two over the years from Ken saying we are suing Trump, send money. The Dem committee is a total failure. If we do not get it together, we will lose everything because the only one speaking is Trump. McConnell is brain dead and a press release must come, along with dragging the gold digger from China back to the U.S. to make funeral arrangements, and stop the heroics to keep McConnell alive as he is never coming back. Has his daughter been kidnapped by the Republicans? Miracles do happen, but not here.
👏👏👏👏👏
The fact that Mitch’s wife Elaine (one of 45’s cabinet members) is in China while her beloved is laying in a hospital bed suggests he is not alive and well. He could be dead and buried by now. More bullshit coming from Mitch’s minions😡 and Fetterman is either a complete fraud or a freak who isn’t happy unless he’s stirring shit up.
Schumer and Jeffries are two of the worst congressional leaders in history.
Great post. Looking forward to the noon live with Dr Andrew’s.❤️
Please move on! The problem is Democrats want to play nice and please everyone. Those days are over. They tried to please Trump voters and go to the middle instead of sticking to their principles. We do not want a Trump Democrat. Trump is a criminal, a liar and a rapist and much worse than Platner, but his base doesn’t care. He hates women. We do not. Stop looking for a piece of trash and find a decent candidate. There are lots out there! And who cares what John Fetterman thinks? Seriously!?
Good post, but I care about John Fetterman. He’s causing a lot of problems for us they way he votes. Also, I’m mad that I supported his campaign to beat Dr. Oz.
I care about him as a person and wish him and his family nothing but the best But I care nothing about what he thinks politically!
I think it was in goodfellas when Joe Pesci character was thrown into the grave with Dominic his brother…that picture made me think of that.
At some point, you dig your own grave
Interesting and scary analogy.
When voters live in fear everyday knowing what he is capable of over the next two years you will do anything to stop it. Many people had the mindset going into the midterms to vote for the candidate that had the best chance. Whether you liked or not . Just have to get the majority in order to make it stop. This is not an excuse but an explanation of how a lot of people feel❣️
Steve: I have no problem using primaries to select candidates. What is needed are two things: one, a way to validate the candidate's background and share with the voters before the primary vote. But more importantly, realistic candidates who know that whatever skeletons are in their closet are going to be discovered. They must assume there is no possibility of hiding them and they will be found out at some time (Platner, Swalwell, Weiner, etc.). And I dare say we will never see another cult leader like Teflon Trump for whom none of these matters.
That’s what I don’t get. If you have that skeleton in your closet, why would you become a candidate for public office?
Part of the reason I feel is is because the Bar has been so lowered thanks to Trump and the spineless and sycohantic GOP.
Appreciate this column Steve. Fetterman is a joke -- totally feckless. And Platner needs to go because as Democrats we still believe in integrity and holding our leaders to a high standard. Whatever comes, so be it. We should be very encouraged, however, but the amount of talent we have on our side, people like Ossoff and Shapiro and Talarico and Moore and many others. We will be fine.
I don't know what possessed Maine Democrats to nominate Platner in the first place and then, when credible allegations came out about him, basically said, "oh well" and went on with their support. Perhaps they felt that, since there's a sexual predator in the White House, another one in the Senate wouldn't be so bad.
Whatever the case may be, Susan Collins is no longer concerned. The Democrats have gifted
her with another term. They have handed said gift over on a silver platter.
Registered Voters Are Already Being Disenfranchised
Beau Bayh grandson of Birch Bayh of Senatorial fame is running for Indiana’s Secretary of State on the Democratic side of the ticket.
He reports that a registered Indiana voter prepared to vote in the Indiana primary and found that she was not eligible to vote(bit.ly/4p3UOLz). Charrie Stambaugh had been a U.S. citizen for nearly three decades and had cast a ballot in every election since she became eligible to vote. But this spring, after seeing a Facebook post encouraging people to check their voter registration status, she found her registration had been canceled. She was one of 1,625 registered voters targeted by Indiana Nazi Republican laws.
“I was not notified at any point that my registration had been revoked … I would not have known that had I not checked myself,” said Stambaugh, who thought it was unlikely other recent voters would randomly think to check their registrations without an election coming up
So a word to involved citizens. Check your voter registration and vote early so you can cure if there is a problem. Also notify and alert friends, neighbors, family, and relatives about the possible disenfranchisement of their ability to vote.
Go to https://www.vote411.org/check-registration to locate your voting registration in your state.
PS An Ariz lady in the comment section said that she had the same thing happen to her.