Graham Platner and the Rise of the ‘Dirtbag’ Democrat
6/6/202643 min
On Tuesday, Graham Platner could become the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine. That has many in his party worried. This week on “The Opinions,” the political writer Michelle Cottle and the columnists David French and Jamelle Bouie discuss the controversial Platner, what his rise can tell us about the role of morality and authenticity in American politics today and how President Trump’s terrible poll numbers are motivating some in Congress to start pushing back.
Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@nytimes.com.
This episode of “The Opinions” was produced by Derek Arthur. It was edited by Kaari Pitkin. Mixing by Pat McCusker. Video editing by Kristen Williamson and Ben Wright. The postproduction manager is Mike Puretz. Original music by Carole Sabouraud and Pat McCusker. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta and Kristina Samulewski. The director of Opinion Video is Jonah M. Kessel. The deputy director of Opinion Shows is Alison Bruzek. The director of Opinion Shows is Annie-Rose Strasser. Special thanks to Aaron Retica.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
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Jamelle Bouie· Panelist0:26
You know, I have an electric car and a charging station at home that's connected to my solar panels. So I, I, I basically don't- [gasps] Your charging station- Oh, man ...
Michelle Cottle· Host0:34
is connected to your solar panels?
Jamelle Bouie· Panelist0:36
[laughs] Yeah. I don't really pay for, for fuel anymore.
David French· Panelist0:39
You are ready for the zombie apocalypse.
Michelle Cottle· Host0:41
They're knifing each other at the gas pump. Jamelle will be like, "Later." [upbeat music] I'm Michelle Cottle. I cover national politics for New York Times Opinion, and this week I'm here with the usual suspects, my fabulous colleagues and columnists, David French and Jamelle Bouie. Guys, how's it going?
David French· Panelist1:01
Hey, Michelle.
Jamelle Bouie· Panelist1:03
Hello, hello.
Michelle Cottle· Host1:04
Hello, hello. All right. This week I want us to talk about Graham Platner, the headline-grabbing Democratic Senate candidate at the center of Tuesday's main primary elections. What does his rise say about where Dems are placing their bets on the future leadership of the party? And bigger picture, what is the role of morality and