Subject: What is best for Maine?
https://www.progresspond.com/2...

It intrigues me that the Democrats in Maine may soon have to make a choice on who they want to challenge for Susan Collins seat in the U.S. Senate. One option may be the sitting governor Janet Mills, should she opt to run. Another choice will be Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and veteran with no political experience. Mills has a law degree and has served as attorney general of Maine as well as governor for two terms. I don’t think there is any question that she’s well credentialed and qualified to serve effectively in the Senate. She’ll also be 78 years old on Election Day. Platner, who is 41, joined the Marines out of high school and served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He attended some college by dropped out.

Clearly Mills is a safer bet to run against Collins. But that doesn’t mean she is the right bet or a sure thing. Without even looking at their respective biographies or political positions, I favor a 41 year old over a 78 year old. To be truly effective in the Senate, you have to accrue some seniority so that you can chair committees or gain a leadership position, and that’s pretty hard for a septuagenarian to do. I also think the Democrats should seek to be in touch with the values of younger generations.

But I also like the idea of having someone with Platner’s background in the Senate. He did not get a degree from a top university, or any university, but he definitely got an education from the Marines and while serving in foreign countries. He has an education that’s badly lacking in Congress about what it takes to by an oyster farmer.