In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) shares his thoughts on the Maine Senate race after Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) criticized Sanders for having "no regrets" over endorsing Graham Platner.

#sanders #press #graham #platner

In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) says he believes Troy Jackson is a "strong candidate" who can beat Republican Senator Susan Collins after Jackson replaced Graham Platner on the ballot.

#troy

Former campaign official for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Joel Rubin called out the Vermont senator last week for pushing the "most categorically anti-Israel, antisemitic candidates" he's seen in recent years.
"I think what Sanders and the Sanders operation have done is shove into our system the most categorically anti-Israel, antisemitic candidates that we've seen in a generation — if ever, certainly within the Democratic Party — and it's by design," Rubin said in an interview with Jewish Insider.
"The goal is to undermine Democratic unity and even rationality on Israel at this stage," Rubin said.
Sanders Under Fire For Propping Up Platner As Dems Torch His Toxic Endorsement 'Pattern'
Joel Rubin, who previously helped lead Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, criticized the senator for embracing antisemitic candidates.

#sanders

Social media erupted on Thursday night during a Maine Senate debate to determine who will replace former Democratic nominee Graham Platner after one of the candidates highlighted being a songwriter as a qualification for Senate.
"I ran for office several times, didn't win, but I did run and then, I'm a songwriter and then I write my own books," Senate candidate Ashley Webb said on the debate stage when asked, "What qualifications do you have to serve in the U.S. Senate?"
Webb, who is transgender, continued, "I suppose my transparency, I wouldn't lie to people and I wouldn't deceive the people, like, we're being deceived right now, like we get lied to, smoke and mirrors, like what's going on with ICE."
The moment went viral on social media, with many conservatives mocking Webb's list of qualifications.
Meet The Democrats Gunning To Replace Graham Platner In A Crucial Senate Showdown

Graham Platner's political collapse did more than derail a scandal-plagued Senate campaign in Maine. It also completed Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman's public transformation from a Bernie Sanders-backed progressive populist to one of the left's most aggressive internal critics.
Fetterman was among the first prominent Democrats to call out Platner's mounting controversies, even as many party leaders continued backing the scandal-plagued candidate until a former girlfriend publicly accused Platner of rape, an allegation he denies. The accusation prompted the remaining pillars of Democratic support to collapse.
By Wednesday night, Fetterman laid into his onetime political ally Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in an interview with Fox News' Charles Hurt on "Jesse Watters Primetime."
"The trash took itself out," Fetterman said of Platner's withdrawal, as Hurt asked who should be held most responsible for the Platner chaos.
Kingmaker Mamdani Calls On Platner To 'Drop Out Of The Race' After Rape Allegation

"CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil offered what appeared to be tough words for the Democratic Party on Thursday over its longtime support for former Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner.
Dokoupil reported on Maine Democrats' attempt to replace Platner on the ballot after he suspended his campaign over a recent rape allegation from a former girlfriend. During his report, Dokoupil pointed out that many Democrats continued to endorse Platner after several scandals before that.
"The big question tonight is why did so many in the Democratic Party, the party of Black Lives Matter and Believe Women, continue to see Graham Platner as a future star?" Dokoupil said. "Despite scandal after scandal that seemed to undermine those principles and more? Despite his old Reddit comments about, among other things, why Platner thinks Black people don't tip? Despite his chest tattoo with a **** history? And despite the accusations of abuse against women? Through all of that and more, Platner downplayed or denied the claims and was defended by the party in some of its biggest voices."
Bernie-backed Maine Democratic Senate Hopeful Squirms Over Past Graham Platner Support
He asked, "So what's behind all that support for him until now? Could it simply be that he was winning? That he had blown out the sitting governor in the Democratic primary? It sure seemed like the Democrats' best chance to beat Maine's Republican Sen. Susan Collins. In political circles, the answer, it appears, was yes."

Far-left journalist Joy Reid unloaded on the Democratic Party after Graham Platner suspended his Maine Senate campaign on Wednesday, telling voters they have her "permission to not vote" if leadership opts to replace the progressive candidate with a more moderate option.
On "The Joy Reid Show," the former MSNBC host warned key figures in the party that if they do not replace Platner with an "ideologically similar candidate," voters may stay home on Election Day.
"You need to replace him with somebody who is ideologically the same because that is what was decided. The people of Maine, the Democratic voters of Maine said, 'We want a progressive.' They did not say they want an AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee] moderate," Reid said. "So, the Democratic Party in Maine ought to pick someone who is ideologically the same or ideologically similar as Platner."
Reid went on to give Maine voters her blessing not to cast their ballot if the Democrats do not select a candidate whose policies are in line with Platner's campaign promises.
Platner Drops Out Of Crucial Senate Race After Bombshell Rape Allegation Torpedoes Campaign

Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino accused top Democrats of putting "power" ahead of principle, insisting many have only turned on embattled Senate candidate Graham Platner after concluding he could no longer win.
"There were no principles involved here at all," Bongino told "The Ingraham Angle" on Tuesday.
"The left are the anti-anti-communist. They're just against us and whatever we stand for to advance their communist agenda, and this guy was a tool that's no longer sharp for them."
Kingmaker Mamdani Calls On Platner To 'Drop Out Of The Race' After Rape Allegation
Several Democrats and progressives, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have either rescinded their support for Platner or called on him to end his campaign following a rape accusation.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., believes Democrats are headed for a "reckoning," pointing to embattled Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner's refusal to bow to mounting calls from his own party to abandon his campaign amid bombshell **** ual misconduct allegations.
"A reckoning is coming for the Democratic Party," Kennedy said Tuesday night during a "Hannity" appearance.
"Most of my colleagues in the United States Senate know better. They could see this about Mr. Platner. The guy's a clown, he can't even juggle. He's a 'Saturday Night Live' skit, but once the Hamas wing of the party nominated him, it became raw-gut politics."
Top Platner Ally Turns On Him After Bombshell Rape Allegation Rocks Campaign: 'Red Line'
Kennedy argued Democrats ignored what he described as warning signs about Platner because they were focused on winning the seat, adding that the controversy now threatens to engulf the party.

Neera Tanden and Shannon Watts, a pair of top Democratic political operatives, are calling on Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner to step down amid a bombshell rape allegation that emerged Monday.
Tanden, the CEO of the Center for American Progress, a center-left think tank that had deep ties to the Biden and Obama administrations, has been critical of Platner for months.
"I will remain incredibly angry at the people who didn't vet this candidate, but in life you don't get the best choices. Unless people show a lot more courage than they have," Tanden said in an X post that was re-upped Monday.
Top Platner Ally Turns On Him After Bombshell Rape Allegation Rocks Campaign: 'Red Line'
In addition to calling for his removal, Tanden and Watts are also strongly cautioning the party about its next move as the state nears the Nov. 3 general election.

A bombshell rape allegation has thrown Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner's campaign into turmoil, with some of his most progressive supporters in Congress jumping ship as his bid for the Senate unravels.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who championed Platner's insurgent campaign amid myriad scandals, called on the Senate hopeful to exit the race on Tuesday after Maine resident Jenny Racicot, 41, accused him of rape in interviews with Politico and CNN.
Sanders said in a written statement that he had spoken with Platner about the rape allegation and "recommended that he step aside."
The leading progressive's decision to effectively disavow Platner marks the latest blow to the once-ascendant Democrat's floundering campaign, leaving him with virtually no remaining support from the movement that fueled his populist bid against Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and the Democratic establishment.
Democrats Break With Scandal-plagued Graham Platner, Warn Of 'Civil War' In Party

Screenshot via X
Prolific horror writer Stephen King walked back his defense of Maine Democratic Party Senate candidate Graham Platner on Tuesday after an avalanche of criticism over a pair of posts he made.
Following a bombshell report from Politico detailing an allegation of **** ual **** ault against Platner, King posted to X, "Tell you what–if you knew the whole truth about everyone in the Senate and House of Reps, those chambers would be dead empty. Jesus said, 'Let him without sin cast the first stone.'"
King, one of Maine's most famous residents, also posted in a since-deleted tweet, "Graham Platner may drop out. (I hope he doesn't, but.) Meanwhile, the Abuser in Chief just keeps on keepin' on."
King's takes were quickly ridiculed by pundits and journalists on social media. The Dispatch's Jonah Goldberg replied, "LOLOLOLOL. So because we don't know about hypothetical rapey legislators we should forgive the ones we do know about."

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., is demanding an apology from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., as explosive new ******* ual ******* ault allegations have rocked Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner's campaign.
"I would really call Bernie Sanders to apologize for pushing this kind of predator more than anyone," Fetterman said Monday on "The Ingraham Angle."
"He helped him [become the Democratic nominee], and now [he should] apologize to the victims, especially the woman that she claimed that he raped her. I don't know why you want to keep pushing these kinds of people."
Sanders Caught On Camera Snapping At Reporter Over Platner's Posts: 'Get A Better Job'
Platner's Senate hopes are on life support after Jenny Racicot alleged that he ******* ually ******* aulted her in interviews with Politico and CNN. Racicot claims the Senate hopeful entered her home uninvited while intoxicated nearly five years ago and forced himself on her despite repeated attempts to get him to stop.

A Monday memo from Graham Platner's campaign shows the Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine is battling an onslaught of outside GOP spending.
The memo, obtained by Politico, says Republicans spent $4.3 million on the race between Platner and incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) from last Tuesday through Monday. Collins's campaign spent $500,000, while PACs supporting her spent $3.7 million.
Platner's campaign, meanwhile, spent $440,000 during the aforementioned time period. When including ad buys from the League of Labor Voters, Common Defense and Majority Forward in support of the Democrat, the party's spending in the race hit $1.6 million.
The memo also noted GOP groups will outspend Democrats 4-to-1 in the race over the upcoming week. Pine Tree Results PAC, which backs Collins, is spending roughly $1.5 million weekly and is slated to spend nearly $10 million more by early August, the document shows.
"The GOP understands the stakes of this race, which is why they are investing millions of dollars every week to protect Susan Collins," the memo reads. "In order to remain in a strong position to win in November, the campaign needs the resources to fight back against this onslaught of GOP spending."

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said a "significant part" of the Democratic Party is being "taken over" by "extreme views" after candidates with ties to democratic socialism recently scored wins in congressional primary races.
Fetterman said during an appearance on Fox News's "Saturday in America" that the rise in progressive candidates signals a growing shift for the party.
"There's a significant part of our party that's getting taken over with these extreme views," Fetterman said.
"You know, whether it's P. Hustle in Maine or the new squad coming in out of New York City or the guy in Colorado, that's the direction that our party's going," he added, referring to Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) by a nickname.
Platner, who describes himself as a "New Deal Democrat" in favor of working-class policies including "Medicare for All," is the presumed Democratic nominee in the Pine Tree State's race for the upper chamber.

(Photos via: Fox News Digital and Robert F. Bukaty for AP)
Former "The Office" star Rainn Wilson said he is tired of the "hypocrisy" from American politicians — including from Democratic leaders who are giving Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) a pass for the ***** tattoo he had on his chest.
Wilson vented his frustration during an interview with Fox News Digital on Sunday.
"The political right is all up in arms about that 'Oh, he's a racist, see,'" Wilson said about Platner. "But they won't look at their own side when people show racist tendencies or say racist things."
He continued, "And it's the same on the left. They're willing to overlook the Platner ***** tattoo, but if it was someone from the other side that had a tattoo that was questionable, they would be all over MSNBC about it."

Expecting any level of ideological consistency from partisan political actors is a fool's errand; even so, the amount of sheer hypocrisy generated by the Graham Platner scandal is striking.
In response to fresh allegations that Platner, the presumptive Democratic candidate for Senate in Maine, was abusive in his past relationships, conservatives who in the past have been correctly discerning of the motivations behind certain **** ual misconduct claims are now heralding these accusations as all but confirmed. In fact, they have **** ailed The New York Times, which published a detailed story about Platner's dating history and alleged violent episodes, for not going further in its indictment.
Meanwhile, many Democrats who gleefully and uncritically embraced the "believe all women" mantra of the #MeToo era are broadly dismissive of the Times story, even though the evidence of wrongdoing is arguably more compelling in this case.
What do I mean by that? The central accusation unfurled by the Times comes from Lyndsey Fifield, who dated Platner from 2013 to 2015. Fifield is a Republican activist, which is probably enough reason for some people to be dismissive of the claims — her partisan reasons for raising issues about Platner's behavior and character are obvious. Nevertheless, Fifield claims that Platner often grabbed her, dragged her, and shoved her during arguments and when he was drinking; he once "twisted her arm behind her back, shoved her into a bedroom and held the door closed from the other side so she couldn't get out," she told the Times. Fifield denied that he ever seriously hurt her, instead characterizing his behavior as "rough."
In an appearance on MSNBC last week, Platner strongly denied that any of these altercations took place, though he has conceded to being a bad boyfriend in the past and has chalked this up to psychological trauma from his service as a U.S. Marine.

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman ramped up criticism of embattled Senate candidate Graham Platner on Wednesday, calling out the Maine progressive over his history of inflammatory remarks while challenging him to release messages linked to a Kik account that has become a flashpoint in his campaign.
"This is a guy that had a problem with me, how I dress, but he seemed to have no problem posing in a towel at a disgusting website that consistently had serious problems about that kinds of depravity," Fetterman told Fox News host Sean Hannity.
The Democrat later challenged Platner to make public messages he allegedly exchanged with women on the platform.
"Let me make a deal. I'll tell P-Hustle, I'll wear a suit every day, if he releases all those texts and messages that he's had... [with] the dozen women," he continued, referencing Platner's username on the platform.
The Growing List Of Controversies Threatening Democrat Graham Platner's Maine Senate Bid

Co-hosts of "The View" feuded on-air over whether Democrats should hold their noses and support Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner as he remains embroiled in multiple controversies.
"Yesterday, I was sort of on the fence," co-host Sunny Hostin recalled. "I’m like, ‘Character matters, morals matter. I can’t believe that this is the person in Maine to take on Susan Collins.’ I’m now convinced that we are really in a bad place in this country. Democrats have to take over the Senate. They have to take over the House. They have to bring some semblance of normalcy back to this government."
"If I lived in Maine, I would hold my nose and I would pull that lever and vote for him," she concluded. "That’s it."
"I vehemently and strongly disagree with this," co-host Sara Haines replied. "I knew you would," Hostin retorted.
Warren Confronted On Calling Controversial Senate Candidate Graham Platner Her 'Kind Of Man'