Graham Platner debacle puts Democrats in grave danger of blowing it in the midterms

The Guardian UK Thursday 09 July 2026, 03:26 UTC By David Smith in Washington 1 min read

Key Points

The meltdown in Maine’s Senate race risks the Democrats’ opportunity to turn Trump into a lame duck president. Two years ago Democrats had one job: stop Donald Trump from returning to the White House. It was the only thing that mattered, but with breathtaking political malpractice, they imploded.

The meltdown in Maine’s Senate race risks the Democrats’ opportunity to turn Trump into a lame duck president.

Two years ago Democrats had one job: stop Donald Trump from returning to the White House. It was the only thing that mattered, but with breathtaking political malpractice, they imploded.

This November Democrats have two jobs: win the House of Representatives and win the Senate to turn Trump into a lame duck president for his final two years. But once again the party, fond of warning that the stakes are existential, is in grave danger of blowing it.

Graham Platner (PERSON) Democrats (ORG) Maine (LOCATION) Senate (ORG) Trump (ORG) Donald Trump (PERSON) the White House (ORG) the House of Representatives (ORG)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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Graham Platner debacle puts Democrats in grave danger of blowing it in the midterms

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