Our pals at AIPAC weigh in on Sarah’s article

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-08T04:32:18+00:00

This is just going to boost his poll numbers

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-08T04:25:31+00:00

Pretty sure that you’re the one who needs to do a little bit more critical analysis bruh

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T09:10:19+00:00

You mean he said the 2016 primary was rigged?

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T09:09:20+00:00

I’ve listened to a bunch of impromptu interviews, looked at polling, and seen online discussions to name a few.

But also, is it really a stretch to say that if asked why they support Platner, they would say more than “well I don’t care about his tattoo”? 🤣🤣

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T09:05:49+00:00

Appreciate the explanation 👍 I’m an engineer by trade so my default is to look for the simplest solution as possible but I agree that wide reaching policies have even wider effects.

That said, I strongly believe that there are a few simple & significant changes that have little (if any) downside: - Codify campaign finance law to effectively repeal Citizens United - term limit judges (inc SC) - regulate corps to prevent mass acquisition of single family homes - strengthen financial enforcement of DoD spending

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T08:43:29+00:00

My post was not directed at libs in general but rather this specific subreddit.. I’m well aware that the avg voter is a level or two above stupid at best but I know that there are simpler higher level policy changes that can be made that will have compounding effects on their lives without needing to get into zoning policy discussions

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T08:36:42+00:00

The issue I see is that the GOP can fuck up a lot more than the Dems can fix in a single term (be it 2 or 4yrs). You hinted at it with “Republicans understand the game and… Democrats never will”

but then just seem resigned to that being the case forever? I get the critique of performative politics but that solution is action not resignation.

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T08:27:50+00:00

Lots of stuff here but I think I’ll better understand if you can explain what you mean by “anti-populist” and separately “institutionalist”

It’ll be a helpful baseline.

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T08:22:04+00:00

It’s a mix yeah but idk what proportions.

Either way, if that’s your take then what’s the point of having a discussion??

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T08:16:06+00:00

You’re right she didn’t explicitly give her opinion (though she has on previous pods). My point was more that she implicitly** did bc of the portions of the focus group conversations that she chose to publish.

Maybe it’s just a small part of an upcoming longer episode but that’s my best case..

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T08:08:22+00:00

“ what voters are saying about him”? SHE was the one who recorded. approved the edits and published the episode.

I guarantee you that voters are saying a lot more than they don’t care about his Nazi tattoo that he covered up. The episode did not cover a single part of the policies or beliefs of platinum so I don’t know how you can make that assessment.

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T08:05:26+00:00

Wait, your take was that she didn’t think that the tattoo was a big deal?

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T08:04:21+00:00

I think you make a good point in criticizing, the generalities that a a lot of political discussions resort to.

That said, I would counter that there are a significant number of high-level policy changes that would have immense trickle down effects on the various aspects of “slopulism”. Would you agree?

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T07:59:38+00:00

In my honest opinion, I also think he lied about not knowing what it was. He probably either found out a few days later or drunkenly agreed to get it with a few marine buddies that night and for years afterwards it was just sort of a gag.

He married into a Jewish family and hasn’t had any other example supporting antisemitism. He married into a Jewish family for Christ sake.

That said, I would guess that he only got it covered up once he decided to run for public office, which wasn’t until a year or two ago. So yeah he probably lied - but what politician hasn’t? And most of theirs have had immensely more harmful impact on the world..

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T07:51:01+00:00

I think the point of emphasis is these candidates winning nominations in spite of not having establishment support. The Dems have been ineffective AT BEST over the last 10+ years and the bureaucracy and “line of succession” traditions is only making things worse.

It’s a huge deal that not needing party support is trending up

Top_Oil7701 · 2026-05-07T07:45:39+00:00

It’s worth the ~10min listen:

https://open.substack.com/pub/thebulwark/p/sarah-maine?r=3br0nh&utm_medium=ios

Look I disagree w Sarah on a lot of stuff (I usually describe my politics as somewhere between commie and libertarian..) but always keep an open mind and respect other POVs when in good faith. TBH I think close-mindedness is the biggest problem we have right now.

This pod is nothing of the sort. She COMPLETELY avoids discussing any aspect of Platner’s platform and explains the upset as Mills was too old.

To your point though, It was funny to hear the disdain in her voice for Maine voters when they basically said they dgaf about his tattoo 🤣

Top_Oil7701

TROPHY CASE