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Jack Valentino

(4,618 posts)
120. His opponent, Janet Mills:
Tue Jan 20, 2026, 11:56 PM
Jan 20

Based on her actions as Governor of Maine leading into her 2025-2026 U.S. Senate campaign, Janet Mills has developed a record that has drawn criticism from the progressive wing of the Democratic party. While she is viewed as a moderate and a key opponent of1 Donald Trump, her, use of the veto pen on labor, housing, and tribal issues, along with a fiscally conservative approach, has created friction with the left.
Here are the specific, more conservative actions taken by Governor Mills that have made her less acceptable to the progressive left:

1. Vetoing Key Labor and Worker Rights Bills
Opposed Expanded Collective Bargaining: Mills vetoed legislation in 2024 that would have strengthened collective bargaining rights by banning anti-union intimidation tactics.
Axed Noncompete Agreement Ban: She killed a bill that would have banned restrictive noncompete agreements, which labor advocates argued restricted worker mobility.
Weakened Farmworker Protections: While she eventually signed a version of a bill setting a $14.65 minimum wage for farmworkers, she removed critical enforcement provisions, limiting its impact.
Vetoed "Buy Local" Requirements: She vetoed legislation that would have required state government contracts to prioritize local Maine businesses over multinational corporations.
Opposed Overtime Protections: She vetoed a bill that would have required the state to study the issue of paper mill workers being forced to work excessive overtime.

2. Fiscal and Economic Conservatism
Conservative Budgeting/Surplus Retention: Critics from the left argue that Mills’ administration has been too conservative in forecasting, resulting in unnecessary, large budget surpluses rather than investing in social programs or infrastructure.
Opposed Raising Taxes on the Wealthy: She opposed 2024 tax reform proposals intended to raise taxes on wealthy residents to balance the budget, drawing criticism for prioritizing corporate interests.
Opposed Rent Control/Tenant Protection: In 2019, she blocked tenant protection reforms that would have mandated more notice before rent hikes and evictions, citing burdens on business.

3. Stances on Social and Justice Issues
Vetoed Youth Prison Closure: A significant point of criticism from progressives was her veto of a proposal to close the Long Creek Youth Development Center, a facility critics have described as unsafe and punitive.
"Yellow Flag" Gun Law Defense: Following the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting, she resisted calls for a "Red Flag" law (which allows for the temporary removal of firearms from dangerous individuals), choosing instead to stand by Maine’s existing "Yellow Flag" law, which is seen as a compromise by gun control advocates.
Supported Filibuster: Mills has stated her support for retaining the U.S. Senate filibuster, which many progressive Democrats want to eliminate to pass legislation with a simple majority.
Opposition to Drug Decriminalization: She has expressed opposition to the decriminalization of drug possession, putting her at odds with reformers on the far left.

4. Tribal Relations and Environmental Issues
Vetoed Tribal Sovereignty Bills: Mills has faced intense backlash for vetoing legislation aimed at enhancing tribal sovereignty, including a bill that would have ensured Wabanaki Nations received the same federal rights as other Native American tribes.
Legal Challenges Against Tribes: As governor, her administration has been accused of "environmental racism" by tribal leaders for legal challenges involving water quality standards and fishing rights on the Penobscot River.

5. Environmental Policy
Stance on Clean Energy Jobs: She killed a permitting reform bill designed to accelerate offshore wind projects because it included a mandate for union jobs, a move that drew ire from labor-aligned environmentalists.

6. Opposing Federal Action
Criticized ACA Subsidy Deal: In late 2025, she drew criticism for calling a bipartisan deal to reopen the federal government a "lousy deal," arguing it didn't do enough to immediately address Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies, a move seen by some as obstructionist rather than constructive.
These actions have caused her support among Democrats to drop in some polls, leading to a competitive primary challenge from progressive candidates in her bid for the Senate, particularly with support from figures like Bernie Sanders for her opponents.


Most of those things 'give me "pause' over Janet Mills--- more than what some say was a 'nazi tattoo' that Platner has since covered up.....
which most likely was not labeled as a 'nazi tattoo' at the tattoo shop where he got it....


It's up to the Democratic primary voters in Maine, I will support whomever they nominate as an out-stater---
but some of the things Mills has actually DONE against progressive policy
concern me a little more than anything Platner had tattooed on his body which he has since covered up...


Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Question JustAnotherGen Jan 20 #1
I guess you didn't watch the interview. n/t ariadne0614 Jan 20 #3
use your gut berksdem Jan 20 #6
Watch the interview, or not. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #8
I already watched it thanks. berksdem Jan 20 #10
I do hold him accountable, and his responses to tough questions impressed me. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #17
I HAVE watched the entire interview JustAnotherGen Jan 21 #144
I have often said that only Black women can save us, and consider Jasmine Crockett a national treasure. ariadne0614 Jan 21 #150
His Reddit posts were discussed, but please explain how to look them up with one's guts. n/t ariadne0614 Jan 20 #21
don't get mad berksdem Jan 20 #24
Autumn is on my side, and you're mistaking enthusiasm for swooning. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #32
JFC berksdem Jan 20 #48
Calm down. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #60
I've never in my life heard any self-described "radical feminist" say that an average white guy had "potent magic" but WhiskeyGrinder Jan 20 #52
I am a wonderment, it is true. n/t ariadne0614 Jan 20 #108
This Magic Moment 🎶 sheshe2 Jan 21 #127
Post removed Post removed Jan 20 #65
I appreciate your terror. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #97
I don't trust anyone's judgement who advocates for public hangings or private hangings Buckeyeblue Jan 21 #123
That didn't work in 1877 to 1965 JustAnotherGen Jan 22 #162
I agree with your concerns but we should note he did get the Nazi tattoo covered up/removed LymphocyteLover Jan 22 #158
Not good enough for me JustAnotherGen Jan 22 #165
Understood... sorry LymphocyteLover Jan 22 #166
Nope fuck this guy. His judgment is shit. WhiskeyGrinder Jan 20 #2
You do you. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #7
I listened to him and I am fine with his explaations. I like him. Young and has gotten his Autumn Jan 20 #11
Thank you Autumn. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #14
As for the tattoo nonsense I have known many young people who have tattoos that Autumn Jan 20 #16
He's got some potent magic. n/t ariadne0614 Jan 20 #22
Getting a Nazi death head tattoo is bad, leaving it on for over decade is worse IMO EX500rider Jan 20 #55
And he explained the tattoo he and his fellow soldiers got. nt Autumn Jan 20 #58
Again getting a Nazi SS tattoo while drunk on leave is one thing, leaving it there for over a decade is another IMO YMMV EX500rider Jan 20 #62
Yah, if all the other soldiers are doing it, it must be okay! betsuni Jan 20 #67
You may not know this but men who serve together have a tight bond. nt Autumn Jan 20 #72
No ne in my family in the military ever got a Nazi tat obamanut2012 Jan 20 #80
When he found out it was a nazi tattoo he had it covered. So AFAIC that's the end of that. Autumn Jan 20 #85
So he had a Nazi tattoo for 18 years and didn't know what it was till the press pointed it out? Seems unlikely EX500rider Jan 22 #167
This is an awfully slippery slope nt mr715 Jan 20 #81
So, you know people who got Nazi tats and still have them over a decade later? obamanut2012 Jan 20 #79
You are doing exactly what the RW does obamanut2012 Jan 20 #78
I'm lost on this one. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #110
Bernie has been wrong before. I don't trust anyone with a Nazi tattoo and posts online that reinforce that. mucholderthandirt Jan 21 #124
I'm sorry if I left the impression that I expect anyone, including myself, to ignore his past. ariadne0614 Jan 21 #136
He discredited himself quite well Blue_Adept Jan 21 #133
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Jan 20 #75
I like Democrats who don't have Nazi problems in their past, personally. tritsofme Jan 20 #4
If I thought for one minute he was a Nazi, I wouldn't have posted the interview. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #12
Plenty of posts about him here MichMan Jan 20 #25
Thanks. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #29
Did you read the other posts by now? MichMan Jan 21 #153
It wasn't just a "past" problem.... TommyT139 Jan 20 #43
The "establishment" lol awesomerwb1 Jan 20 #5
Actually, if I lived in Maine, I'd work my heart out for him. n/t ariadne0614 Jan 20 #26
Good for you. I'm sure questionable people like this crazy dude need the money awesomerwb1 Jan 20 #30
It's seriously difficult to imagine watching this interview and concluding he's crazy. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #31
It's not. Do you like his Nazi tattoo as well? awesomerwb1 Jan 20 #33
Is that a serious question? ariadne0614 Jan 20 #36
lol Of course he's gonna "own up" awesomerwb1 Jan 20 #38
Because Trump has made owning up all the fashion on the Nazi side of the equation. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #63
He did plenty of stupid stuff when he was over 30, too. WhiskeyGrinder Jan 20 #64
He isn't just turning 21! mr715 Jan 20 #82
It's cute how you think you're the first one to "introduce" awesomerwb1 Jan 20 #66
His opponent, Janet Mills: Jack Valentino Jan 20 #120
I'm sure they would make me cringe. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #70
"This doesn't sound like something your average Nazi would do." lol what WhiskeyGrinder Jan 20 #51
as if he and his mommy aren't the establishment thebigidea Jan 20 #89
Remember when Fetterman was the be all to save all..... Historic NY Jan 20 #9
My gut told me from the beginning that there was something off about Fetterman. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #13
So you didn't agree with the judgement of Sanders regarding Fetterman but say we should trust his judgement here? W_HAMILTON Jan 20 #44
I never once saw him that way. I saw him clearly for what he is. Autumn Jan 20 #23
I'm more impressed... 2naSalit Jan 20 #15
I'm sure Governor Mills is a fine person. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #19
Are you... 2naSalit Jan 20 #20
No, I'm just an American who would love to see Democrats take back the Senate. n/t ariadne0614 Jan 20 #27
Age-baiting is so last generation Torchlight Jan 21 #135
What does her age have to do with it? sheshe2 Jan 21 #154
I see your Excellent Post got Cha Jan 22 #173
You are right about the crickets, Cha. sheshe2 Jan 22 #174
I'm 77, and believe wise elders have much to contribute. ariadne0614 Jan 22 #176
Mills is the AIPAC candidate and so whoever the republican nominee will be aipac supported questionseverything Jan 20 #34
Maine Senate Race Moves To Toss Up With Mills' Entrance LetMyPeopleVote Jan 20 #84
He's drawing crowds of elderly people leftstreet Jan 20 #18
Interesting. I didn't use my gut to find information on endorsements. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #28
"...on both sides..." TommyT139 Jan 20 #46
Yes! ariadne0614 Jan 20 #49
I was referring TommyT139 Jan 20 #92
I think its more like, he is the key to ensuring Susan Collins gets another term FascismIsDeath Jan 20 #35
Perhaps not. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #59
Some people say he rzemanfl Jan 20 #37
I don't understand "one white guy who can save the Democratic Party from itself." betsuni Jan 20 #39
In 2007 a Marine Gunnery Sgt. estimated that 92% of about 8,000 Marines rzemanfl Jan 20 #40
You get that it was a very specific skull and crossbones that was a hallmark of the SS, right? Not the Jolly Roger? WhiskeyGrinder Jan 20 #45
I have not seen a picture. Have you? rzemanfl Jan 20 #54
I'm familiar with the totenkopf, and the video and screenshots that went around a lot last October make it clear that's WhiskeyGrinder Jan 20 #57
This tattoo? Quite plainly the SS-Totenkopf tattoo EX500rider Jan 20 #61
Agreed. n/t rzemanfl Jan 20 #68
I agree the tattoo is a Nazi Death Head (totenkopf). rzemanfl Jan 20 #73
Seriously? Cirsium Jan 20 #88
Thank you. rzemanfl Jan 20 #91
Hey, thanks for listening in good faith. WhiskeyGrinder Jan 20 #100
Maybe the tattooist rzemanfl Jan 20 #109
Lot's of Yugoslav's fought on the German side EX500rider Jan 22 #168
They said the same about John Fetterman. W_HAMILTON Jan 20 #41
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Jan 20 #42
I doubt his crowds are "Genocide Joe" people leftstreet Jan 20 #47
Another start at the top political con. delisen Jan 20 #50
If I recall the same views were expressed how Fetterman was the "great liberal hope" over the "establishment" lostincalifornia Jan 20 #53
I don't live in Maine mountain grammy Jan 20 #56
I do live in Maine chelsea0011 Jan 20 #93
Thank you for your response. I have a couple of questions. mountain grammy Jan 20 #95
It's not my district chelsea0011 Jan 22 #155
Thank you. mountain grammy Jan 22 #172
All that matters to me right now is winning elections BannonsLiver Jan 20 #69
Judging from only this one interview, I think he would agree with you. n/t ariadne0614 Jan 20 #71
This is why we have primaries. nt mr715 Jan 20 #74
He is problematic. mr715 Jan 20 #76
lol no, I want someone without Nazi tats, who doesn't hit women and who didn't work as a mercenary obamanut2012 Jan 20 #77
MaddowBlog-Maine's Graham Platner faces difficult questions about his record -- and a tattoo LetMyPeopleVote Jan 20 #83
This post, on its own, would give pause to any reasonable voter. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #113
I watched the entire video, I like him. Americanme Jan 20 #86
I don't believe in saviors, I believe in passing legislation that helps my family thebigidea Jan 20 #87
I don't believe in saviors either. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #105
Curious MorbidButterflyTat Jan 20 #90
If Democrats win back the Senate, the pressure will come from fed up We the People. n/t ariadne0614 Jan 20 #94
Do you truly believe that tsf would actually sign it or... sheshe2 Jan 20 #104
Yup, we need both the House and Senate. n/t ariadne0614 Jan 20 #114
That's not enough if the president won't sign it. sheshe2 Jan 20 #118
Call me delusional, but if our side regains the Senate and House, then anything is possible if ariadne0614 Jan 20 #103
Sorry. This is the kind of unicorn thinking that turned me off of the Sanders movement. Blasphemer Jan 20 #121
History mr715 Jan 21 #140
Could be the right messenger at the right time + the cumulative decades of effort. ariadne0614 Jan 21 #145
Could be, but you don't need to be a Senator to lead. mr715 Jan 21 #146
I guess we'll find out soon enough. ariadne0614 Jan 21 #148
The DSCC and Janet Mills have formed a joint fundraising committee together. LetMyPeopleVote Jan 20 #96
Sincere question. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #99
I am Jewish and have an issue with someone with a NAZI tattoo LetMyPeopleVote Jan 20 #107
I have deep respect your preference. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #112
These tattoos are a big issue LetMyPeopleVote Jan 22 #163
I don't understand the "one white guy" headline. Was that in an article or something? marmar Jan 20 #98
Fair question. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #101
Look up stories from last year about his choice of tattoos. Iggo Jan 21 #129
I'll be voting for Janet Mill's in the primary. If your candidate wins, I will vote for him. OAITW r.2.0 Jan 20 #102
Makes perfect sense to me. n/t ariadne0614 Jan 20 #106
Ranked Choice voting,,,,democracy in action. OAITW r.2.0 Jan 20 #111
I'm all in favor of ranked choice voting. ariadne0614 Jan 20 #115
Gov. MAGA Paul got elected in Maine when 60+% voted for two other candidates..... OAITW r.2.0 Jan 20 #116
Oh boy! Let the rebranding begin! Iggo Jan 20 #117
Still? Really? Has Trump taught us nothing. Gimme a break. nt Blasphemer Jan 20 #119
Running against the Democratic Party: Establishment beholden to corporate interests ignore working class, both sides. betsuni Jan 21 #122
Dude had a nazi tattoo on his chest for years. Got called out last year and covered it up. Iggo Jan 21 #128
Only got called out because there was a video of him running around shirtless during a wedding reception that surfaced MichMan Jan 21 #130
Indeed! I'm so fucking done with that BS-- even if it sadly gets votes. LymphocyteLover Jan 22 #159
Looking at his background, I would venture he's a Repub plant Just_Vote_Dem Jan 21 #125
I expect more will be revealed during the primary process. ariadne0614 Jan 22 #157
I'm guessing there's more than one... whathehell Jan 21 #126
You're absolutely right. ariadne0614 Jan 21 #131
I take issue with a repeated point you are making. mr715 Jan 21 #139
Thanks for the opportunity to clarify. ariadne0614 Jan 21 #147
Thank you for taking the time to reply. mr715 Jan 21 #149
You're welcome, and I share your willingness to be wrong. n/t ariadne0614 Jan 21 #152
Is this a trial balloon or is this the actual roll-out? Iggo Jan 21 #141
It would surprise me if you thought he was intellectually deficient if you listened to the interview. ariadne0614 Jan 21 #142
Belief that working class are white men (who Democrats are accused of ignoring in favor of "identity politics"): betsuni Jan 21 #143
nazi tattoo + Blackwater employment nope waddirum Jan 21 #132
I appreciate your input. ariadne0614 Jan 21 #134
it's on his wiki page EX500rider Jan 21 #137
Thank you very much. ariadne0614 Jan 21 #138
The guy with the Nazi tattoo and racial slurs? RandySF Jan 21 #151
If you are correct, rhen another Fetterman would be very bad. ariadne0614 Jan 22 #156
We will soon get to see how a 77-year-old middle of the road woman stands up to ICE. rzemanfl Jan 22 #160
I love the variety of insights and perspectives on DU. ariadne0614 Jan 22 #161
He looked at that tattoo in the mirror for 18 years and did nothing about it until he was called out last year. Iggo Jan 22 #169
I wasn't talking about him. I was talking about other inebriated GIs. rzemanfl Jan 22 #170
Maine Senate candidate downplayed sexual assault concerns in deleted posts LetMyPeopleVote Jan 22 #164
If you like white guys from Maine who run in Democratic Primaries Quiet Em Jan 22 #171
My preference is dynamic women like Jasmine Crockett and AOC, ariadne0614 Jan 22 #175
Statement of Governor Mills on Federal agents killing another person in Minnesota LetMyPeopleVote Jan 25 #177
The Democratic Party Boo1 Jan 25 #178
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Meet Graham Platner. Here...»Reply #120