There may have been better choices than Platner in Maine, but 78 year old Janet Mills wasn’t that. People are tired of having a Senate that is run by and for the elderly, even the energetic ones. I think Platner could turn out to be another Fetterman. I hope I’m wrong
This proud Michigander will be tickled pink if Haley Stevens is not the Democratic nominee for my state. Either alternative will have a much better chance to defeat a Republican rubber stamp for Dear Donald. The next Majority Leader should not be a Republican or Chuck Schumer.
NC-er here. Roy Cooper's ads have been more than a bit boring and his TV interviews like on MSNOW after he first announced were worse still. But he's well enough liked and, probably more importantly, well-known he doesn't have to introduce himself to us. He got us through Helene most notably, and beyond that things seemed better run than when the more radical MAGA-type people have had control. I don't love all his policies, but I think a lot of people see him as level-headed and competent.
He may not win, but I don't think another Democrat could have done better. We just seem like the kind of state where well-liked and well-known carries a lot of weight. It also helps that for an older politician he's not yet quite geriatric. For now, he strikes me like a spry 68. If he wins II hope he'll retire after one term, but for now the history is more a positive than the age a negative.
I think this probably depends at least as much on the candidate as it does the states. People who want a more radical kind of populism, or just more of a fighter, probably exist all over including in NC. The difference between us and Maine, I think, is our old hand doesn't seem quite past the age when he can get things done; so we have an attractive alternative, and less of an opening for a new face to break through.
I have to agree with readers who find your aversion to more progressive candidates unacceptable. It makes me too angry to respond right now. But really, get a clue.
I don't give a rat's ass if Egan thinks Ossoff amd Cooper are boring.
It's up to Maine voters to decide about Platner . I am suspicious sbout the information coming out-is this Schumer trying to get his 70+ girl Janet back in?
Bodies, when Republicans run people like Paxton and Tuberville to name two, I'll take vanilla, thank you.
Again with Platner? The most morally bankrupt politician in the history of the country is the sitting president, who won the popular vote! He was found liable for rape. He was convicted of multiple felonies involving a cover-up of his affair with a porn star. What Platner has said and done might have sunk a campaign 10 years ago, but not in 2026.
As I told Egger a few days ago, I'll eat crow if squeaky clean Talarico wins in Texas and Platner loses in Maine. But I think the reverse scenario is far more likely.
If Janet Mills was 48 or 58 instead of being 78, it's possible that voters would have shifted to her after Platner's earlier issues came to light. I don't think it's going to happen now, though. She's simply too old.
As a Mainer, I would love to have more information about which Dems this author is speaking with. The word "operatives" and the hilarious suggestion that people are going to vote persuasively for Janet Mills, with the result that Platner will drop out, is out-if-touchness in its purest form.
I love your newsletter and southern greeting feels welcoming. But I must admit, surprisingly, your open tabs are some the best. I am biased this week, being from Lafayette La. I always enjoy what you're reading, it always connects with me. I know a lot people on this platform want the ultra Trump fighters, but we need an effective centrist solution, and since the Republican party is lost in Trump, it is incumbent upon the rest of us to provide it. That said f Trump, but let's not become him
As for the rest of the quotes in this column from Democratic "strategists," and not totally dissimilar from the Legacki quote, the way they speak about this stuff and each other is still so exasperatingly grasping at strawmen. They have no idea what they are talking about, their defenses of each other at even the hint of mild success are absurdly out of touch, and the presumption that a half of one dozen primary results provides any insight about the strength of the party must be taken with a full sifting basket of salt. And I reiterate again, reading Legacki's quote, spoken as if it is some kind of eureka moment revelation just felt like someone was jammng a skewer directly through my craw. If only I had some grilled meat and vegetables for every time one of us has screamed that sentiment in the ear of a Democratic Strategist over the past 10 years every time they tried to shove some establishment out-of-town hack down our throats.
Just to be clear, I understand why are you are reporting what you are reporting here, Lauren. My ire is all directed at the party people, not you.
McMorrow is much better candidate than Stevens. Wish the latter would drop out. We may just yet get a GOP controlled Senate next year that includes Paxton, Collins and Mike Rogers in MI.
Democrats or Dem strategists? I never get the impresson Lauren is talking to legislators. If that's the case then she is just running PR for their goal, which is 100% to keep their jobs. These strategists are not fans of people like Platner and progressives because they want to end the gravy train that got them in DC. Also, Platner is running a local race. The Bulwark just has a big issue with Platner because of the tatoo. Let's be honest about it.
There may have been better choices than Platner in Maine, but 78 year old Janet Mills wasn’t that. People are tired of having a Senate that is run by and for the elderly, even the energetic ones. I think Platner could turn out to be another Fetterman. I hope I’m wrong
This proud Michigander will be tickled pink if Haley Stevens is not the Democratic nominee for my state. Either alternative will have a much better chance to defeat a Republican rubber stamp for Dear Donald. The next Majority Leader should not be a Republican or Chuck Schumer.
NC-er here. Roy Cooper's ads have been more than a bit boring and his TV interviews like on MSNOW after he first announced were worse still. But he's well enough liked and, probably more importantly, well-known he doesn't have to introduce himself to us. He got us through Helene most notably, and beyond that things seemed better run than when the more radical MAGA-type people have had control. I don't love all his policies, but I think a lot of people see him as level-headed and competent.
He may not win, but I don't think another Democrat could have done better. We just seem like the kind of state where well-liked and well-known carries a lot of weight. It also helps that for an older politician he's not yet quite geriatric. For now, he strikes me like a spry 68. If he wins II hope he'll retire after one term, but for now the history is more a positive than the age a negative.
I think this probably depends at least as much on the candidate as it does the states. People who want a more radical kind of populism, or just more of a fighter, probably exist all over including in NC. The difference between us and Maine, I think, is our old hand doesn't seem quite past the age when he can get things done; so we have an attractive alternative, and less of an opening for a new face to break through.
I have to agree with readers who find your aversion to more progressive candidates unacceptable. It makes me too angry to respond right now. But really, get a clue.
I don't give a rat's ass if Egan thinks Ossoff amd Cooper are boring.
It's up to Maine voters to decide about Platner . I am suspicious sbout the information coming out-is this Schumer trying to get his 70+ girl Janet back in?
Bodies, when Republicans run people like Paxton and Tuberville to name two, I'll take vanilla, thank you.
Again with Platner? The most morally bankrupt politician in the history of the country is the sitting president, who won the popular vote! He was found liable for rape. He was convicted of multiple felonies involving a cover-up of his affair with a porn star. What Platner has said and done might have sunk a campaign 10 years ago, but not in 2026.
As I told Egger a few days ago, I'll eat crow if squeaky clean Talarico wins in Texas and Platner loses in Maine. But I think the reverse scenario is far more likely.
If Janet Mills was 48 or 58 instead of being 78, it's possible that voters would have shifted to her after Platner's earlier issues came to light. I don't think it's going to happen now, though. She's simply too old.
As a Mainer, I would love to have more information about which Dems this author is speaking with. The word "operatives" and the hilarious suggestion that people are going to vote persuasively for Janet Mills, with the result that Platner will drop out, is out-if-touchness in its purest form.
Is it a fear that Platner might become like Fetterman?
I love your newsletter and southern greeting feels welcoming. But I must admit, surprisingly, your open tabs are some the best. I am biased this week, being from Lafayette La. I always enjoy what you're reading, it always connects with me. I know a lot people on this platform want the ultra Trump fighters, but we need an effective centrist solution, and since the Republican party is lost in Trump, it is incumbent upon the rest of us to provide it. That said f Trump, but let's not become him
As for the rest of the quotes in this column from Democratic "strategists," and not totally dissimilar from the Legacki quote, the way they speak about this stuff and each other is still so exasperatingly grasping at strawmen. They have no idea what they are talking about, their defenses of each other at even the hint of mild success are absurdly out of touch, and the presumption that a half of one dozen primary results provides any insight about the strength of the party must be taken with a full sifting basket of salt. And I reiterate again, reading Legacki's quote, spoken as if it is some kind of eureka moment revelation just felt like someone was jammng a skewer directly through my craw. If only I had some grilled meat and vegetables for every time one of us has screamed that sentiment in the ear of a Democratic Strategist over the past 10 years every time they tried to shove some establishment out-of-town hack down our throats.
Just to be clear, I understand why are you are reporting what you are reporting here, Lauren. My ire is all directed at the party people, not you.
McMorrow is much better candidate than Stevens. Wish the latter would drop out. We may just yet get a GOP controlled Senate next year that includes Paxton, Collins and Mike Rogers in MI.
Democrats or Dem strategists? I never get the impresson Lauren is talking to legislators. If that's the case then she is just running PR for their goal, which is 100% to keep their jobs. These strategists are not fans of people like Platner and progressives because they want to end the gravy train that got them in DC. Also, Platner is running a local race. The Bulwark just has a big issue with Platner because of the tatoo. Let's be honest about it.
When Dems learn how they failed in 2020, they might begin to get somewhere.
Maine is a weird place with lots of poverty. They need a weird candidate.
The risk is getting vanilla Democrats in the Senate who then fail to show spines, and thus fail to meet the moment.
Totally. Roy Cooper is a nice guy and was a "genteel" governer, but is he gonna be a Senate hard-ass at 69? Highly doubtful.