2026 Mid-Term Elections

[Toni]

I’m certainly not defending Platner.

You seem to be.

More than one woman WAS sure that it was Kavanaugh and multiple people talked about him frequently getting black out drunk.

Do you mean CBF? Her accusation (of something that would have happened when they were both minors, or as you would say "children") had no corroborating evidence. And even her friend Keyser was skeptical of it.

Maybe that’s all in his past. But it happened.

We don't know that. No evidence is no evidence.

When did I defend Platner? I’m pretty sure o wrote that I was not happy he got the nomination. I don’t have any respect for Collins but Platner seems to be a poor choice.

I’m pretty certain that there was no such thing as cell phones when Kavanaugh was in college. Multiple people told similar stories. I admit that falls short of four male witnesses.

 

[laughing dog]

Alcoholism is a disease. Normally, we don't blame people for their diseases.

It may technically be a disease, but it is a self-inflicted one.

. Wow, the church lady is strong in this one.

Whatever Platner may have done, it is small potatoes to Kavanaugh. Really, your response is ridiculous.

I disagree that alleged domestic violence is "small potatoes". Especially since the allegations are far more recent than the >30 year old ones against Kavanaugh.

Distance in time should be irrelevant.

My point was Kavanaugh’s damage as a member of SCOTUS makes Platner look like s choirboy.

 

[laughing dog]

Missing the point with irony. Bravo!!!!

You are the one missing the point. Congratulate yourself!

If he won by the rules, it was fair.

That does not logically follow. If the rules themselves are not fair, then him winning is not fair either.

The rules are commonly used in most elections without a peep from you. You just don’t like this outcome.

BTW, you cannot know what proportion of votes were against him. All one can say is that he was not the 1st choice for more than 70% of the primary voters.

I.e. he wasn't the first choice of more than two thirds of primary voters. Why should he be the nominee then?

Because that’s how that system works. Duh.

This thread is about current midterm elections not optimal election rules.

The electoral rules, as they affect the current midterm elections, are very much relevant to this thread. Certainly far more than the digression about taxing billionaires we had earlier.

Whining after the election because you don’t like the outcome is the MO of Trump and his supporters.

I suspect if the winning candidate met your approval, the rules would not be an issue.

Is that the reason you defend these clearly flawed rules? Because you like this islamoleftist terrorist supporter?

Let's forget for a moment who "won". Can you give any arguments as to why you think this the superior electoral system compared to the majority one?

I realize that focusing is difficult for you. I haven’t defended the system. I think the people of Maine should choose their system consistent with constitutions of the US and Maine. What the peanut gallery prefers is irrelevant.

I would not have voted for Platner in the primary.

 

[Derec]

The rules are commonly used in most elections without a peep from you. You just don’t like this outcome.

I have remarked on it occasionally over the years actually.
That said, the outcome is much worse in this case as it is afaik the first time a literal Islamic terrorist supporter has been nominated by a major party.

Because that’s how that system works. Duh.

That "duh" can be used to justify any system, no matter how unjust.

Whining after the election because you don’t like the outcome is the MO of Trump and his supporters.

I am not saying to overturn the results, but that rules should be changed for next time, since they result in undemocratic outcomes.

I realize that focusing is difficult for you. I haven’t defended the system. I think the people of Maine should choose their system consistent with constitutions of the US and Maine. What the peanut gallery prefers is irrelevant.

I guess focusing is much more difficult for you, since you mix up Maine and New Jersey.

But you are tacitly supporting this system because you keep saying that we should not discuss the matter. Which is silly, since we often discuss merits of different electoral systems on this forum.

I would not have voted for Platner in the primary.

This was about Hamawy. You know the guy who won the primary in a safe district with <30% of the vote and who was a close associate of the terrorist mastermind the Blind Sheikh.

 

[Derec]

Wow, the church lady is strong in this one.

Not being the "church lady", just being realistic.

Distance in time should be irrelevant.

Of course it matters if an alleged wrongdoing happened 30 years ago when one was a teenager or young adult vs. 10 years ago when one was 30.

My point was Kavanaugh’s damage as a member of SCOTUS makes Platner look like s choirboy.

Bullshit.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

The rules are commonly used in most elections without a peep from you. You just don’t like this outcome.

I have remarked on it occasionally over the years actually.
That said, the outcome is much worse in this case as it is afaik the first time a literal Islamic terrorist supporter has been nominated by a major party.

Has Hamawy vocally supported terrorism? Knowing a person doesn't make them a terrorism supporter. I have to point out you keep bringing up the mastermind-ish (Yousef was the one behind getting it done) of the WTC bombing in '93. Not 9/11, and reported statements by Hamawy after 9/11.

This is important! Voting for a person that supports terrorism is unjustified and wrong, even if we are desperate to regain control of the US House. The accusation, which is a very serious one, is tossed about by you like you are saying he likes pickles on sandwiches. The WTC bombing was over 30 years ago. Even if this person was sympathetic to Muslim causes, even radical ones, over 30 years ago, doesn't make him an enemy of the US today, unless we just want to eliminate allowing people to mature and grow up. Much like a person that was in a gang who then gets out and tries to mentor people to get out of gangs.

 

[laughing dog]

Wow, the church lady is strong in this one.

Not being the "church lady", just being realistic.

Spoken like a church lady.

Distance in time should be irrelevant.

Of course it matters if an alleged wrongdoing happened 30 years ago when one was a teenager or young adult vs. 10 years ago when one was 30.

My point was Kavanaugh’s damage as a member of SCOTUS makes Platner look like s choirboy.

Bullshit.

Spoken like a true MAGA.
Helping to insulate Trump from his actions, gutting the Voting Rights Act and making an important medical service available to millions makes Platner’s behavior (actual and alleged) seem trivial.

 

[laughing dog]

The rules are commonly used in most elections without a peep from you. You just don’t like this outcome.

I have remarked on it occasionally over the years actually.
That said, the outcome is much worse in this case as it is afaik the first time a literal Islamic terrorist supporter has been nominated by a major party.

Because that’s how that system works. Duh.

That "duh" can be used to justify any system, no matter how unjust.

Whining after the election because you don’t like the outcome is the MO of Trump and his supporters.

I am not saying to overturn the results, but that rules should be changed for next time, since they result in undemocratic outcomes.

I realize that focusing is difficult for you. I haven’t defended the system. I think the people of Maine should choose their system consistent with constitutions of the US and Maine. What the peanut gallery prefers is irrelevant.

I guess focusing is much more difficult for you, since you mix up Maine and New Jersey.

But you are tacitly supporting this system because you keep saying that we should not discuss the matter. Which is silly, since we often discuss merits of different electoral systems on this forum.

I would not have voted for Platner in the primary.

This was about Hamawy. You know the guy who won the primary in a safe district with <30% of the vote and who was a close associate of the terrorist mastermind the Blind Sheikh.

I never said the matter shouldn’t be discussed. I said it is off topic for this thread.

I do apologize for mixing up which candidate you are whining about. There are so many, it is hard to keep them all straight .

 

[Derec]

I never said the matter shouldn’t be discussed. I said it is off topic for this thread.

But it is. The system used in midterm elections is on topic for a thread about midterm elections. Especially when it produces an outcome as perverse as a terrorist supporter almost certainly (because of how safe NJ-12 is) becoming a congressman by winning <30% of the vote in the primary.

I do apologize for mixing up which candidate you are whining about. There are so many, it is hard to keep them all straight .

Especially when one is not paying attention and just reacts in a kneejerk manner, like you are.

 

[Derec]

Spoken like a church lady.
Spoken like a true MAGA.

Except for cheap and threadbare insults you have nothing.

Helping to insulate Trump from his actions, gutting the Voting Rights Act and making an important medical service available to millions makes Platner’s behavior (actual and alleged) seem trivial.

I disagree that it is trivial. And while I agree that Collins has been too willing to defer to the Trump administration, Dems should really have worked to recruit better candidates instead of letting a couple of extremist activists (Daniel Moraff and Leanne Fan) select the eventual nominee.

 

[Derec]

Has Hamawy vocally supported terrorism? Knowing a person doesn't make them a terrorism supporter.

Not "vocally" perhaps, but he did accompany him to jihadist conferences and translated materials for him. And he definitely knew him well enough to testify on his behalf.

I have to point out you keep bringing up the mastermind-ish (Yousef was the one behind getting it done) of the WTC bombing in '93. Not 9/11, and reported statements by Hamawy after 9/11.

Just because it's about the first, less successful, WTC bombing, does that make it ok? Does that make Hamawy somebody who should be in Congress? And should he really be the Democratic nominee with <30% of support in the primary?

The WTC bombing was over 30 years ago.

So? The Oklahoma City bombing was over 30 years ago too. But if somebody who was an associate of Timothy McVeigh and testified on his behalf at him trial were to run for Congress as a Republican, do you think you and all the others who defend Hamaway would not make a huge deal over it? What's the difference?

Even if this person was sympathetic to Muslim causes, even radical ones, over 30 years ago, doesn't make him an enemy of the US today,

He is still sympathetic to radical Muslim causes. He was campaigning with Hamas-supporter Hasan Piker and he repeated Hamas propaganda when he was in Gaza.

unless we just want to eliminate allowing people to mature and grow up. Much like a person that was in a gang who then gets out and tries to mentor people to get out of gangs.

You would never accept Republicans nominating somebody who was an associate of Timothy McVeigh, no matter how much he claims to be "mature". An associate of the Blind Sheikh is no better.

 

[Derec]

When did I defend Platner? I’m pretty sure o wrote that I was not happy he got the nomination. I don’t have any respect for Collins but Platner seems to be a poor choice.

I might have misunderstood.

I’m pretty certain that there was no such thing as cell phones when Kavanaugh was in college. Multiple people told similar stories. I admit that falls short of four male witnesses.

Nobody is demanding "four male witnesses". But accusations against Kav have no corroborating evidence. Nobody told any stories similar to CBF - that was the "attempted sexual assault at a high school house party" story. In fact, her friend Leland Keyser was skeptical that it could have happened the way CBF was telling it.
Christine Blasey Ford’s friend now says she’s skeptical of Kavanaugh accusation
As far as the later "college party indecent exposure story", not even Ramirez could be certain the alleged penis belonged to Kav. I already posted a news article showing that.

And yet the Left will repeat these allegations as if they were proven facts.

 

[Toni]

When did I defend Platner? I’m pretty sure o wrote that I was not happy he got the nomination. I don’t have any respect for Collins but Platner seems to be a poor choice.

I might have misunderstood.

I’m pretty certain that there was no such thing as cell phones when Kavanaugh was in college. Multiple people told similar stories. I admit that falls short of four male witnesses.

Nobody is demanding "four male witnesses". But accusations against Kav have no corroborating evidence. Nobody told any stories similar to CBF - that was the "attempted sexual assault at a high school house party" story. In fact, her friend Leland Keyser was skeptical that it could have happened the way CBF was telling it.
Christine Blasey Ford’s friend now says she’s skeptical of Kavanaugh accusation
As far as the later "college party indecent exposure story", not even Ramirez could be certain the alleged penis belonged to Kav. I already posted a news article showing that.

And yet the Left will repeat these allegations as if they were proven facts.

Yes, other people did describe him trying to push his exposed penis in women’s faces, and generally harassing women. No, he was never arrested afaik and no, video evidence does not exist. Other people corroborated victims’ statements.

 

[Derec]

Yes, other people did describe him trying to push his exposed penis in women’s faces, and generally harassing women.

Who?

No, he was never arrested afaik and no, video evidence does not exist. Other people corroborated victims’ statements.

No evidence exists, video or otherwise. Not even the accuser herself corroborates her own accusation, since she had to admit that she could not be sure that the alleged penis belonged to Kav in the first place.

And note the hypocrisy. Supporting a terrorist while in med school should be forgiven, but an unproven allegation of indecent exposure at a party while an undergrad is the unpardonable sin.

 

[Toni]

Yes, other people did describe him trying to push his exposed penis in women’s faces, and generally harassing women.

Who?

No, he was never arrested afaik and no, video evidence does not exist. Other people corroborated victims’ statements.

No evidence exists, video or otherwise. Not even the accuser herself corroborates her own accusation, since she had to admit that she could not be sure that the alleged penis belonged to Kav in the first place.

And note the hypocrisy. Supporting a terrorist while in med school should be forgiven, but an unproven allegation of indecent exposure at a party while an undergrad is the unpardonable sin.

The Women Who Have Accused Brett Kavanaugh (Published 2018)

Three women have come forward to accuse President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee of sexual assault or misconduct. He has denied the allegations.

www.nytimes.com

Exposing a penis in public is public indecency. Attempting to push it in the face of an unwilling person is sexual assault.

 

[laughing dog]

Spoken like a church lady.
Spoken like a true MAGA.

Except for cheap and threadbare insults you have nothing.

If you say so, church lady.

Helping to insulate Trump from his actions, gutting the Voting Rights Act and making an important medical service available to millions makes Platner’s behavior (actual and alleged) seem trivial.

I disagree that it is trivial.

I didn't say it was trivial, but it seemed trivial in comparison. Really, pay attention.

And while I agree that Collins has been too willing to defer to the Trump administration, Dems should really have worked to recruit better candidates instead of letting a couple of extremist activists (Daniel Moraff and Leanne Fan) select the eventual nominee.

Only 2 people voted in the primary?

 

[laughing dog]

I never said the matter shouldn’t be discussed. I said it is off topic for this thread.

But it is.

If you agree, why are you arguing?

The system used in midterm elections is on topic for a thread about midterm elections. Especially when it produces an outcome as perverse as a terrorist supporter almost certainly (because of how safe NJ-12 is) becoming a congressman by winning <30% of the vote in the primary.

The rules are in place for the 2026 midterms. Whining about them contributes nothing about the 2026 midterm elections. You should start a thread about better election procedures.

I do apologize for mixing up which candidate you are whining about. There are so many, it is hard to keep them all straight .

Especially when one is not paying attention and just reacts in a kneejerk manner, like you are.

LOL - I am sure the irony is lost on you.

 

[lpetrich]

South Carolina Governor Primary 2026: Live Election Results - The New York Times

Rep. Nancy Mace decided to run for governor of South Carolina, and she finished fifth in the Republican primary. Fractions of votes: 28.9%, 26.1%, 17.1%, 14.2%, NM 12.1%, 0.8%, 0.8%

She is currently in the House, and her district contains SC's largest city, Charleston.

 

[lpetrich]

A Congressman Was Suddenly Absent. So We Looked. And Looked. - The New York Times - June 2, 2026

Rep. Thomas Kean, Jr. of NJ-07.

He last voted in Congress on March 5.

The story eventually gained traction when Dan Scharfenberger, Mr. Kean’s chief of staff, told The New York Times in May, “There’s no cameras where Tom is.”

Mr. Kean’s aides have attributed his absence to a “personal medical issue,” which they have refused to describe, beyond assurances since April that he is expected to fully recover and return to work soon.

Beginning in April, a Times reporter visited Mr. Kean’s primary residence in Westfield, N.J., several times. Some neighbors said they had not seen Mr. Kean or noticed any changes at the house. All declined to be quoted. A knock on Mr. Kean’s door went unanswered.

A reporter also called about 20 hospitals in New Jersey, New York, Virginia and the District of Columbia. None had Mr. Kean listed as a patient.

Then, months after his most recent vote in Congress, Mr. Kean gave a phone interview to the political website, The New Jersey Globe, on May 21. He confirmed that he would run for re-election, but otherwise appeared to reiterate the talking points that his staff had given in his absence.

 

[lpetrich]

It’s Been 100 Days. Do You Know Where Rep. Tom Kean Is? - The New York Times - June 13, 2026

In all, the congressman has missed 135 House votes during his mysterious absence. During that time his office has released two statements, attributed to Mr. Kean, indicating he is under medical care for an undisclosed health condition that has kept him away from Washington and out of the public eye.

He has nonetheless bought and sold stock, introduced remarks into the Congressional Record and — last week — urged House colleagues from afar to oppose Ireland’s effort to limit trade with Israel.

Harrison Neely, Mr. Kean’s spokesman, said on Friday that Mr. Kean has been working remotely.

He won the Republican primary for his seat, something easy for him, since nobody ran against him.,

In the meantime, Democrats selected Rebecca Bennett, 39, a former Navy helicopter pilot, to run against Mr. Kean, 57, in one of the House races that could tip the balance of power in Washington.

Someone or other is now seizing on this mysterious absence.

“Tom Kean Jr., wherever you are: Do your job. Or get the hell out,” intones an ad now running in Mr. Kean’s district. The ad was paid for by Your Community, a political action committee with funding sources that are hard to trace. Its treasurer is Anne Titus Hilby, a lawyer, who referred questions to a spokesman, Josh Schwerin.

“Tom Kean Jr. is completely failing his constituents while still working on his own stock portfolio,” Mr. Schwerin said in an email, referring to the recent trades disclosed on forms filed with Mr. Kean’s electronic signature.