Let me start by saying Fetterman is bad, and PA deserves better. But looking back on the election it still seems like the voters made the best choice available at the time.
There are good reasons to be uncertain about Planter, but he seems unlikely to be quite as bad as the current situation.
Absolutely. Unfortunately, warnings of a candidate’s issues may not show up until after a primary. Digging up dirt requires resources, and those can be hard to come by until a candidate is considered serious.
At which point voters are locked into choosing between the two viable candidates (assuming first past the post, which I’d have to double check how much Maine fixed their voting).
Thank you. My point was to point out there are legitimate reasons to be concerned. A big problem is the “Best choice” of live hand grenades to drop down your pants is still not a great list of options. Fetterman is the worst of all worlds. A Republican wearing a D on his name tag undermines the credibility of the whole party, and quite frankly, the Democrats don’t have a lot of credibility left to burn. Electing another Fetterman is worse than electing Collins because not only will you still not get the representation you deserve, but no one is going to believe your platform is worth the paper it’s printed on next time either. That’s the gamble here. If there’s even the vaguest appearance of lack of commitment, people are going to just walk. “You don’t have another option” isn’t good enough for anyone anymore.
So show that he lives by the principles he talks about. Elevate his community work, elevate his union work, give people a reason to believe he believes in what he’s saying. And god help us all if he’s the wrong pick because this is the absolute last shot. If the Democrats fail to get their house in order now, there won’t be a “Next Time” to concern ourselves with as far as I can tell.
Let me start by saying Fetterman is bad, and PA deserves better. But looking back on the election it still seems like the voters made the best choice available at the time.
There are good reasons to be uncertain about Planter, but he seems unlikely to be quite as bad as the current situation.
And it was the choice because Fettermam won a primary.
Absolutely. Unfortunately, warnings of a candidate’s issues may not show up until after a primary. Digging up dirt requires resources, and those can be hard to come by until a candidate is considered serious.
At which point voters are locked into choosing between the two viable candidates (assuming first past the post, which I’d have to double check how much Maine fixed their voting).
Maine Senate Primary is ranked choice, people can vote their conscience, unlike the recent gubernatorial jungle primary California had.
Thank you. My point was to point out there are legitimate reasons to be concerned. A big problem is the “Best choice” of live hand grenades to drop down your pants is still not a great list of options. Fetterman is the worst of all worlds. A Republican wearing a D on his name tag undermines the credibility of the whole party, and quite frankly, the Democrats don’t have a lot of credibility left to burn. Electing another Fetterman is worse than electing Collins because not only will you still not get the representation you deserve, but no one is going to believe your platform is worth the paper it’s printed on next time either. That’s the gamble here. If there’s even the vaguest appearance of lack of commitment, people are going to just walk. “You don’t have another option” isn’t good enough for anyone anymore.
So show that he lives by the principles he talks about. Elevate his community work, elevate his union work, give people a reason to believe he believes in what he’s saying. And god help us all if he’s the wrong pick because this is the absolute last shot. If the Democrats fail to get their house in order now, there won’t be a “Next Time” to concern ourselves with as far as I can tell.