Well I sure am embarrassed (in re: Platner)

[mr715]

I know I went all in there - even spent some money.

I don't know how we win that seat without a compelling candidate. This probably makes winning the Senate impossible and I regret my willingness to bend my personal morality for a political winner.

It came back to bite me.

[senseandsensibility]

1. It's refreshing to hear you admit your mistake

but I will reserve my harshest judgement for those in power who endorsed him. Don't be too hard on yourself.

[mr715]

2. I like to believe I'm good at admitting my mistakes.

Mastery of the art of apology has gotten me far in my academic career.

[RandySF]

3. A clean candidate has a good chance regardless

The tricky part is building a statewide campaign on the run.

[BannonsLiver]

4. It's a good reminder these people aren't like most of us.

Think about the amount of ego and self involvement it takes to gather signatures to get on a ballot, and then ask other adults for money to run a campaign. You really have to love the smell of your own brand to make that leap. Most people aren’t in that camp for a variety of reasons. My biggest and only real political regret is John Edwards. It’s been a minute since his comeuppance but I still beat myself up over it. Live and learn. Anyway I wouldn’t beat yourself up too much over this guy.

[mr715]

5. It is a mea culpa, I'm not beating myself up too much.

You're quite right that politicians are very high on their own supply.

[mopinko]

11. ppl who want to start at the top-

🙄🙄🙄🙄
that’s always a red flag for me, and it’s got nothing to do w qualifications for the job.

[BannonsLiver]

13. Very true.

[LeftInTX]

22. Yes... Start at city council or something....

[mopinko]

23. we need to build a bench.

test these ppl in lower level offices.
it works for the rw.

[Cha]

29. Yes, I like those who start working

therir way up and having an excellent resume for leadership and Democracy.

I read somewhere on DU early on that he was recruited by someone who apparently didn't check his history.

[QueerDuck]

32. Apparently, indeed. (And someone who'd never seen him shirtless, too. Clearly.)

It's easier to cover-up a tattoo than it is to cover-up one's past... alleged past, I mean. I think the warning signs were there, but were ignored.

[mzmolly]

6. You did not have complete information.

You were also not alone in your support of Platner.

[mr715]

7. Nope, nor am I the only one feeling the way I feel.

So I posted to air it out, and give others the space to feel what I feel.

I did switch allegiances a bunch of times in that race, which makes me feel a little dizzy.

[EdmondDantes_]

26. Not like we didn't have most of it

All the stuff the OP routinely dismissed demonstrated Platner's disregard for women.

You don't get to ignore Platner blaming women for rape, admitting he mistreated multiple girlfriends, sexting a bunch of women right after getting married, and dismiss claims of physically abusive behavior because the accuser was a Republican and say there's no way you could know Platner mistreated women. That the OP regularly belittled people (including me) for bringing that up means they absolutely was aware of it, they just chose to not acknowledge it because they liked what Platner was selling.

[ImNotGod]

8. Unless you are a mind reader I wouldn't be to hard on yourself. Like Bernie, how were you to know if the victim

of a serious crime didn't report it?

[Keepthesoulalive]

27. There were other red flags

No legislative experience, sexism, racism and a Nazi tattoo.

[Stacey Grove]

31. In this post-truth world filled with willing lies and liars

the SS Totenkopf tattoo had my mind reeling at how so many people sought to justify or excuse it.

Sickening.

[boston bean]

9. Well,possibly , all is not lost. People really do not know if mills could pull it off.

He was sucking all the oxygen out of the room. She has a proven record of being elected statewide.

[mr715]

10. Mills is a no go.

Put it a different way -- she couldn't beat an accused rapist.

We need someone other than Mills.

[boston bean]

12. I think she could do it.

[mr715]

14. I thought she could too.

Then she didn't.

Then she did even worse.

Then she dropped out.

Then she, very cravenly, suggested she was "undropping out"

Then she lost 80-20.

No on Mills. I'm on the draft Stephen King boat now.

[boston bean]

17. Listen, she was running against a guy who had a huge head start.

Same may be for general, however, Collins is never going to receive platners vote. Are you stating that Platners voters will withhold their vote from Mills?

[mr715]

19. I think Platner's coalition included people voting for Collins previously

I don't think Mills will mobilize voters.

Age, energy, etc. etc.

[boston bean]

20. Sad state of affairs Maine is in then.

I still think she is best shot.

[krawhitham]

16. She got her current job by winning a state wide race by 13 points

[mr715]

18. And couldn't now.

She doesn't have it.

[krawhitham]

36. She doesn't have WHAT? Her net positive approval rating in Maine is 21 points higher that Susan's

I present facts and numbers and you have what, a hunch. Well your last hunch had you backing Platner, that worked out real well.

[mr715]

38. And she got her clocked cleaned.

Your numbers are old news.

[krawhitham]

15. No, all did not. For some of us the NAZI tattoo was enough

[Blasphemer]

21. Appreciate the honest and public self-reflection. nt

[Jack Valentino]

24. yeah, I hear ya, me too---

but I disagree that we need a 'compelling candidate' in Maine---

I think a mostly-unknown Democrat without some scandalous
back-story can do it, with a (D) after their name ----

AND, such a mostly unknown should concentrate on making
SUSAN COLLINS the ISSUE !!!!!!

[leftstreet]

25. You and 150k+ Maine voters

I believe I read he got the most votes in the primary in the state's history

Don't feel "embarrassed" though. You and those voters did nothing wrong. You got behind a message and a powerful hope for real change.

Platner's the only person who should feel embarrassed here

[J_William_Ryan]

28. "This probably makes winning the Senate impossible"

It does.

[Cha]

30. Mahalo for saying that, mr715

must be overwhelmingly credible for Dems like Ro Kanna to retract their endorsements.

And Planter to lay out his conditions for withdrawal so soon.

Hopefully, all is not lost, and the Maine Dems will find a great replacement if he does withdraw.

[QueerDuck]

33. Is Bernie still sticking with him?

[Cha]

34. AFAIk, but Sen Warren has retracted her

endorsement. As you might know.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221356316

We'll see what tomorrow brings forth.

[mr715]

37. Sen. Sanders has called for him to drop out.

[SocialDemocrat61]

35. Don't beat yourself up

Many people a lot smarter and more knowledgeable about politics went all in on Planter despite his numerous red flags.