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DocOnTheRange's avatar

Careful with the term “ex-Marine.” Hearing the term is like nails on a chalkboard for those who believe “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” Calling them Marine veterans is much safer. 👌

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Sebastian's avatar

Yes!!!

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Lynn Kozak's avatar

Another astute analysis, and nice to see a bit more of what's possible for the Dems...

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CE's avatar

No Schumeresque “old guys”..but we can’t count out tough old guys like Cooper and Brown. At 77, Janet Mills may be a bridge too far. We need stronger, younger candidates everywhere.

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Tony Payne's avatar

The Democratic field in Maine may grow as former State Senator and Appropriations Chair Cathy Breen considers a run. Breen has served as a town councilor, state rep and state senator. At age 60, she is well positioned if she chooses to run.

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menehune's avatar

ALOHA..... D.D. " When people refuse the cool cynicism of despair. Despair is peddled by the right to convince us that resistance is futile, and it is echoed by too many on the left who would rather sit back and say all is lost. CYNICISM asks nothing of us; HOPE demands everything. When people choose to act rather than surrender, that is what keeps democracy alive " TRUMP'S .G.O.P. guardians of pedophilics...“Silence and fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought. Instead of silence and fear, let this moment fuel the fire that already burns at the heart of this place. A fire of righteous indignation at abuses of power. WELA KA HAO.... GOP LAPUWALE....THEY GOT TO BE VOTED OUT....

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Hawaii Brewer's avatar

We just moved from Kona to a red state....working to turn it blue, mea oiaio ole ma ka hana.........we miss the Aloha spirit.

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Sebastian's avatar

Cont’d : My father was a Carlson’s 2nd Battalion Raider. He was a Marine until the day he died. Semper Fi

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Rosemary Ford's avatar

Fun column—gross generalizations, old & tough but helpful as genres. I too like the ads, the tough guys all sound like old Marlboro ads.

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susan waddington's avatar

Your opening comments about Susan Collins shows exactly what's wrong with politics today. I feel she's a person either party should be happy to have representing them and that overall, she might make a better supporter for Democratic values than someone chosen to oppose her just because s/he is a Democrat. And aside from the two categories (which have been overstressed) what about legislators like Jake Auchincloss (aside from his unspellable name) who are laying out positions that make a lot of sense to me and is actively debating on Fox News. He mentions his past military service but is not running on that. To me he relates to politicians like Senator Elissa Slotkin. I'm hoping that a strong and viable candidate will emerge from the non-Washington political set. Possibly a governor, but while age is a factor - to jump on Sherrod Brown just because he is old is certainly an anti-democratic statement and not worthy of your usual thoughtfulness

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Vince's avatar

“Tough Guys are usually more orthodox candidates” - I think you meant to say unorthodox

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DerekF's avatar

I'm not sure it matters whether you have old guys, tough guys, rising stars, or just plain folks - 2026 is going to brutal for Senate Democrats. The odds are stacked against them.

The hope is that enough of the country is so fed up with the current administration that they just want to throw them out and try again.

Unfortunately, I think that politics has become a team sport. You root for your team even if you think the players are lousy.

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chrisattack's avatar

Treason is a team sport. Word of the day: OUR STORY

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George Shay's avatar

I laughed out l; loud from lede to `30-, which doesn't happen like ever in these ever so pompous and sanctimonious political times.

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Barbara Fox's avatar

I don’t have amnesia. Any democrat is better than the current crop of republicans that voted for the absolute laughable “ Fox News” cabinet holding court while ruining our ideals.

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George Shay's avatar

OMG you are SOOOOOO hard core!

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Mary Nichols's avatar

I really enjoyed seeing campaign ads for federal candidates from other states. It gives me a visual reference that helps me recognize their names when they come up later.

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