By Robert Reich
The underlying question goes well beyond Platner
Friends,
I keep having conversations with Democrats and progressives who disagree with each other about a fundamental issue. I’ll call it the “Platner Paradox” because the current controversy surrounding the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Maine exemplifies the disagreement, although it goes well beyond Graham Platner.
The underlying question is how important are attributes such as personal history and character relative to a candidate’s political party or their willingness to oppose Trump and fight for economic justice?
I’m going to try to present each viewpoint as best I can.
1. I’m voting for Platner — or anyone else who’s a Democrat (or independent who will caucus with the Democrats) — regardless of their personal history or character, because we need a Democratic Senate and House in order to stop Trump.
I believe it’s more important for Democrats to regain control of Congress than for any particular Democrat (or independent) candidate to represent me. I’ll compromise on the candidate’s history or character and even some of their policy positions because I’m so determined that Congress no longer be under Republican control. That’s the only way we’re going to restrain the tyrant in the Oval Office.
2. I’m voting for Platner — or anyone else who may have stirred up controversy or whose positions on other matters I may not agree with — because of their willingness to oppose Trump and their commitment to opposing Big Money.
For me, the most important criteria in voting for a candidate for the Senate or the House are whether they’ll strongly oppose Trump and whether they’re committed to an economic system that works for everyone. I’m willing to overlook or accept the candidate’s other attributes or positions — hell, I’ll even vote for a social conservative — if they’ll take on Trump and the monied interests.
3. As much as I want a fighter for economic justice and a Democratic Congress, I can’t bring myself to vote for Platner or anyone else whose character or background appears to be inconsistent with the kind of person I want to represent me.
The character, background, and positions of a particular candidate are more important to me than anything else — even more important than regaining control of Congress in order to stop Trump. So I’m voting for the best person to represent me regardless of their party and irrespective of the consequences for which party controls Congress.