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The Most Shocking Election In America

More Perfect Union | May 12, 2026



We spent 4 days traveling the entire state of Maine with Graham Platner to find out if he can win.

Along the way we sat him down with Republicans and Independents.

One voter told us: “We’re so tired of the establishment, and Maine is a very anti-establishment state.”

Producer and Editor: Josh Hirschfeld-Kroen
Producer and Reporter: John Russell
Videographer: Colin Bell
Supervising Producer: Meg Herschlein

Video Production Manager: Isabel Atalaya
Video Production Coordinator: Jodi Clemens
Video Production Fellow: Astrid Dong

Assistant Editor: Daria Nastasia
—–

More Perfect Union is an Emmy-winning, nonprofit newsroom whose mission is to build power for working people. Here’s what that means: We report on the real struggles and challenges of the working class from a working-class perspective. We attempt to connect those problems to potential solutions. We report on the abuses and wrongdoing of corporate power. And we seek to hold accountable the ultra-rich who have too much power over America’s political and economic systems.

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Written by More Perfect Union

Comments

This post currently has 31 comments.

  1. @msonix

    May 12, 2026 at 12:33 pm

    Sobering, and I'm not even an American. That roundtable with vastly different people felt so genuine – thanks for giving voice to the people.
    Great work, More Perfect Union.

  2. @tiffariff

    May 12, 2026 at 12:33 pm

    This is what happens when communities are smaller- you can judge people by their character more because you can get to know them. Without that- all you have is their history of mistakes and successes making only the perfection and success the bigger measures- but humans are so much more than their greatest achievements and worst mistakes. It’s how we change and adapt that makes us not only the most powerful and intelligent species on our earth at the moment but life itself that becomes irreplaceable than anything artificial we can even make ourselves.

  3. @Metrosoda

    May 12, 2026 at 12:33 pm

    The fact that the smear campaign came from the DNC says a hell of a lot about the current political climate. Establishment neoliberals are only interested in exploiting our labor and our income. Short term, the RNC is way worse, don't get me wrong. But long term, the DNC is just as at fault for the massive wealth gap. We desperately need to restructure the electoral college and make room for more parties.

  4. @renzotoglia

    May 12, 2026 at 12:33 pm

    Planer is a good man. He is sincere and most important he is powerful though he is on the wrong tact. I had to stop watching. If the billionaires are blamed then the system that is creating the wealth by money exchange is winning. Their wealth is created by the huge profit margin of manufacturing outside our borders facilitated in the past by the old Country Club Republicans and now fueled by the Democrats. First ask what is the purpose of tariffs and then follow that thread of your question. Platner pointed out the lack of the manufacturing that caused the problem then he focused on the wealthy as the ones that created the problem. Please reader we must not get distracted. There is a mission afoot now with this administration to bring jobs back to our country. The tariffs are working. Go online. Turn off corporate media. The credible facts to support this assertion is available and discoverable but only by your effort.

  5. @pipergilbert6079

    May 12, 2026 at 12:33 pm

    The Trump fan ignores completely that Trump, a billionaire, bragged about not paying taxes. Yet, bc this guy hates "wokeness", he is fine with Trump. The clauses in the Bible about adultery, or helping the poor don't matter to the hypocrite Trump fan.

  6. @bebcky

    May 12, 2026 at 12:33 pm

    Dude knowingly had a nazi tattoo for years and didn't do anything about, then lied about knowing about it, he's a pos who should be nowhere near a position of power

  7. @RedStretchLimo

    May 12, 2026 at 12:33 pm

    "It’s true that any politician who proposes a pushback against modern American oligarchy will face a tidal wave of lavishly funded venom. But given the realities of who today’s plutocrats are and what they do, there are big opportunities for leaders willing to pull an FDR and declare, “I welcome their hatred.” -Paul Krugman

  8. @matthiaskroll7740

    May 12, 2026 at 12:33 pm

    Good luck, reasoning and trust. We are in a ethnic cleansing circle. There are old Systems@work and the leaders share the same genetics. You need protection, they see us as slaves and they will wipe you all out. Its not the first time, they never build anything and steal all. You have to fight, they dont fear you, they harm you nonstop without respect.

  9. @aconsideredopinion7529

    May 12, 2026 at 12:33 pm

    It’s incredible to witness Americans casually referring to hospitals going bankrupt when the rest of the civilized world accepts that hospitals and by extension healthcare is a basic right. He is correct that the battle is between the exploitation of the rich of the middle class and the poor.
    You get the government you deserve and if you want good governance you need to vote for people who will make the world or their community better.
    All politics at their core are local.

  10. @basscheffener1564

    May 12, 2026 at 12:33 pm

    For two seconds i thought that this was channel 5 news,
    Anyhow interesting how this topic goes.
    Kind of makes me understand why trumps tactic of attack attack attack worked so well or was being used. Though taking full responsibility and transparency is better, sadly the media is not always so keen on showing happy moments

  11. @antonytselios497

    May 12, 2026 at 12:33 pm

    If in 2026 30% of the people still say they are Trump supporters it will take generations to actually make any change for the better. the whole opposition is about a tattoo… wtf so much dirt thrown on the man…

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