Platner?! Hardly Knew 'Er! ... ('em)

It’s a been a busy seven days, so we race through a bunch of topics, with a special focus on Graham Platner, the state of the Maine Senate race, and then some stake driving on how Democrats should prepare for the likelihood that they’ll inherit the country back in economic and budgetary shambles.

In this episode, Matt and Brian discuss:

* Would the Democratic Party be better off or worse off with two Democrats (Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer) at the top of the California ballot?

* Is Donald Trump’s spiraling presidency cause for schadenfreude, alarm, or both at once?

* Is the latest Platner scandal worse than the previous ones? Part of the same story?Distinct in ways that might be more likely to put off older voters? And what should he do to get back into a commanding position?

Then a look ahead to 2029 (but possibly sooner). Inflation and interest rates and deficits and debt are all high. When Democrats next regain power (if not sooner) they will face enormous pressure to cut deficits—and unlike in 2009, it’ll be for a good reason. How should they present this to the public. What’s a sound and moral way to retrench, particularly given the rapacious greed that ballooned deficits under Trump? And how should they frame their opening bids, so they don’t get stuck in another lopsided austerity negotiation with Republicans?

Answers are available in full to paid subscribers—just upgrade your subscription and pipe full episodes directly to your favorite podcast app via your own private feed.

Further reading:

* Brian argues Democratic operatives planning for the post-Trump era need to go back to the drawing board.

* Matt argues it’s time to start freaking out about the national debt.

* Josh Kovensky’s précis on the Broadview Six fiasco.

* A reminder that Colorado Dems still could and should oust Jared Polis.