Whenever there’s a desire to shift the traditional political strategy that’s led to nearly universal disappointment, someone always dismisses it as imprudent.

So, it wasn’t surprising to read the Sept. 29 op-ed “In campaign against Susan Collins, Democrats ignore reality.” The argument is that in turbulent times the only smart choice for Democrats is to wait for operatives in Washington, D.C., who have been outfoxed by an unpopular President Donald Trump for most of the past decade, to anoint Gov. Janet Mills as the only candidate capable of defeating Sen. Susan Collins.

When the going gets tough, the tough should get conventional, I guess.

Graham Platner is generating so much excitement because many voters, both right and left, are tired of conventional wisdom inevitably delivering poor results for Mainers. Dismissing political newcomers as unelectable ignores a lot of recent history, including the current occupant of the White House.

Jesse Noyes
North Berwick