I am happy to grant Graham Platner grace for things he did while drunk on liberty call with his buddies 18 years ago in Croatia, as well as for things he said on social media and now regrets. That’s all forgivable. What I cannot forgive him for is having no political experience at all, and yet still think he can be a senator.

Why is it that, for any other job, we insist on experience and/or training, but in politics, we prefer someone who has no idea what they’re doing? Being a senator is a demanding and difficult job — how can we think of sending in a neophyte?

Janet Mills has shown that she can get stuff done together with colleagues — even those of the other party. I disagree with her sometimes, sure, just as I’m sure I will disagree with Platner sometimes. But Mills has proven that she can get stuff done — stuff that has helped the people of Maine live safer and live better, in real time.

Here’s the gist of the matter: Mills can run on the basis of her record. Platner is running on — what, exactly? We have nothing else to go on to evaluate the man and his character, and that’s why his social media record, his tattoos, etc., are getting attention. I would love for him to get involved in local politics and build up a record of success, and then come back to us with his job application fully completed.

Jonathan Cohen
Farmington