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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"The Democrats Need a Candidate Shake-Up"
We may owe many thanks to Daniel Moraff, the man behind the curtain. Until I read this article, I didn't know who approached Graham to run.
"Youve probably never heard of Daniel Moraff. He went to Brown and was excited by Senator Bernie Sanderss 2016 presidential campaign and spent years as a local organizer in Pittsburgh and New York while involved with the Democratic Socialists of America.
Today hes emerging as a new force in politics specializing in populist outsiders. He discovered Dan Osborn and Graham Platner, showing a knack for finding unlikely politicians with real charisma and skills. As we now know, Mr. Platner also comes with a somewhat checkered past and real, potentially costly flaws.
But Mr. Moraff, in contrast to his somewhat bombastic candidates, is quiet and unassuming in person and approaches his job like a casting director. He looks for a particular type: military veterans with blue-collar jobs and no electoral experience but an interest in politics and (typically) labor unions.
Mr. Moraff is not the only person seeking fresh blood for the Democratic Party. Other groups, like the Bench, are recruiting and supporting challengers in tough races, often in red states. But his early success is a sign of just how desperately the Democrats need new approaches to candidate recruitment and new kinds of candidates.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/opinion/democrats-platner-osborn-daniel-moraff.html?unlocked_article_code=1.rFA.ydvq.qyLUePJRvCWA&smid=url-share
ColoringFool
(1,376 posts)Who cares what this guy thinks?
Ziggy Beans
(83 posts)Unfortunately, there are still too many Democrats that don't
luv2fly
(2,762 posts)Interesting article and thank you for sharing this. It's going to upset some folks but... some folks get upset just by waking up in the morning so, yeah, life goes on.
We need new blood, nothing wrong with that.
Jack Valentino
(5,377 posts)even talking about.... He hasn't been accused of actually committing any felonies, after all...
As long as Platner responds by talking about issues that REALLY matter,
as he HAS been doing so far--- I think he'll win in November---
even if it does become a "nail-biter" !
Bumbles
(582 posts)Along with his stance on issues important to Democrats and any sentient Republicans still standing, many may identify directly or indirectly with his life's story and perhaps give him a bit of a break and vote for him in the general, as many did in the primary.
multigraincracker
(38,298 posts)Abdul El-Sayed. Look him up. Leading in the polls for US Senator. Accepts no Corporate $.
MD epidemiologist with a proven record of public service.
DuckDuckGo his name.
Wanderlust988
(802 posts)Nominate extreme candidates and lose the general. Same thing the Republicans do. Nominate super right-wing and lose in the general.
multigraincracker
(38,298 posts)I have no doubt he will crush Rogers.
Midnight Writer
(25,984 posts)Experience is valuable.
I wouldn't hire a novice to fix my car, I wouldn't hire a plumber who learned his craft from YouTube videos, I wouldn't go to a doctor that had not gone to medical school and endured an internship.
New blood is great and essential, but candidates need to have the naivety stripped from them BEFORE they are in a position of power.
mike_c
(37,179 posts)...although I suppose it depends on what office they're seeking. Good leaders have to get their experience somewhere, so local offices are the best place to bring in totally inexperienced "new blood;" town councils, county commissioners, school boards, etc, not high ranking state or national offices.
That said, I LOVE what Platner is saying-- he seems clearly cut from FDR cloth-- but his lack of experience does make me wonder whether he will be able to actually translate his vision into legislation, as he has no relevant track record, or whether he will bow to whichever political winds seem favorable once elected, like Fetterman. Experience counts for job performance, and also gives voters something concrete to chew on.
Trump is the prime example of the damage totally inexperienced outsiders can do when given power.
Bumbles
(582 posts). . . Wikipedia provides a well-rounded take on Graham, warts and all. I think he is who seems to be. No Fetterman.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Platner