Miranda Devine: Dems seek a blue-collar MAGA man to win back Trump voters -- but better look in the mirror
Devine argues that Platner’s past online statements and tattoo undermine Democrats’ effort to present him as a blue-collar candidate.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe New York Post is an established national outlet, but this is a signed opinion column rather than reported news. Its publication identity and author are clear, though the column's argumentative claims are not consistently supported with independent sourcing.
- Source type — Established national publication, but this page is explicitly an opinion column.
- Author attribution — The column is clearly attributed to Miranda Devine.
- Editorial standards — A recognizable newsroom publishes the piece, but its polemical format limits the weight of its assertions as reporting.
The column includes specific quotations and polling figures, but it is highly one-sided and uses charged characterizations. It provides little direct response or independent corroboration for several serious claims.
HOW WE SCORE ↗This is a strongly one-sided opinion column. It quotes Platner's explanation for the tattoo and cites a former campaign official, but offers little broader context or response to the column's allegations.
- Loaded language — Relies heavily on insults and emotionally charged descriptions.
- Counterarguments presented — Includes Platner's explanation of the tattoo but does not develop a broader response to the criticism.
- Source diversity — Limited range of perspectives; the argument is principally the author's.
- Opinion vs reporting — Written as an explicit opinion column rather than a neutral report.
The column consistently attacks Democrats and presents Trump and his allies sympathetically, using strongly condemnatory language about Democratic figures and candidates.
- Language tone — Uses repeated insults and condemnatory labels for Democratic figures and their supporters.
- Framing — Frames Democratic criticism of Trump as hypocrisy and presents the party as electorally and morally failing.
- Source selection — Relies on claims and quotations that support the author's critique, with little opposing perspective.
Miranda Devine argues that Democrats’ support for Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner conflicts with their criticism of extremism, citing his tattoo and past online statements. She also criticizes Democratic leaders for backing him and disputes the party’s electoral strategy.
Devine frames Platner as a poor fit for Democrats seeking to appeal to blue-collar voters, pointing to his background and describing his tattoo and old online posts as evidence of extremism. She quotes Platner saying he was appalled to learn the tattoo resembled a Nazi symbol, and cites a former campaign official who said Platner knew what it was. These are claims and characterizations made in the column.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSED
No good or bad look here
This story reports what happened without casting Platner in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Platner’s record.
People in this story
SWIPE →Democratic Senate candidate in Maine criticized for past online statements and a tattoo
Senator and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair backing Platner
Virginia Democrat cited as an example of a supposedly moderate politician
President, discussed as the target of Democratic criticism and a comparison in polling
Former president cited as an example of a candidate presented as moderate
Minnesota governor and former vice-presidential candidate discussed as a prior Democratic effort to appeal to working-class voters
House Democratic leader whose political strategy is criticized
Senate Democratic leader backing Platner
Former Democratic presidential candidate discussed in the column’s account of the 2024 election
Maine governor and former Democratic Senate candidate
Part of a bigger story
4 OUTLETSOutlets agree Graham Platner is a Democratic candidate for Maine’s Senate seat and that Democrats are backing him. Left-leaning outlets present his rise, alongside Janet Mills’s exit, as evidence Democrats should embrace populist economic proposals. Right-leaning outlets focus on his past posts and tattoo, casting Democratic support for him as inconsistent with the party’s working-class image.
- ARTICLES
- 4
- OUTLETS
- 4
- AVG CRED
- 52
Discussion · 0
Loading comments…