lambert strether

Live all you can. It's a mistake not to.

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

The Jackpot

Today's Water Cooler 2026-06-16

https://t.co/GMK7g2RXdW

With Plantidote. And Friday Cat Blogging!

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

The Jackpot

"A huge amount of the economy is driven by people who are, simply put, highly suggestible. That is to say that it is very, very easy to get them excited and willing to spend money." --Ludicity

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

Well, enough of those women voted for Biden AND Collins for Collins to stomp Sarah Gideon in 2020. I have no information on their demographics, but the presence of PMC in blue Portland generally is far greater than inland.

#metooery did not work in the primary, which is a blessing. It remains to be seen if it works in the general, as both parties will work it for all its worth

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

If Platner is seen by Maine women who voted for Collins in 2020 as “That toxic boyfriend”, he loses.

But if Platner is seen those ticket-spliitting women as “That once-toxic boyfriend who I redeemed”, he wins.

Platner has plenty of room to make that pivot, given his platform and life story.

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

@anacharsis Most. However, if there are enough ticket-splitting women in blue cities like Portland, who don't have to worry about grocery bills, then they might well vote for Collins on those grounds. Classic liberal feminism, as I think you called it.

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

Platner: Why THIS Oppo?

https://t.co/b4AQXq10xZ

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

Today's Water Cooler 2026-06-15

https://t.co/9KWYXczRJ2

With birdsongs!

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

Erika Kirk on Trump's UFC fight:

"When Charlie and I had just started dating, we went to a UFC fight, so when we found out about it as a possibility for 250th we were so stoked and made plans to be there...what a memory that would’ve been to share with our grandkids"

Wowsers…

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

Listening to Graham Planter on C-SPAN: on the Trail in Bar Harbor; Victory Speech in Blue Hill

https://t.co/7W0CXTp4ll

Video and text, with commentary.

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

Holy [family blog]!!!

Platner is a major talent.

I haven't heard anything this good since Jesse Jackson's "they work every day" speech at the DNC in 1988.

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

@MonardaB Do you want to send one?

Directions at bottom:

https://t.co/4GF7qlwb3N

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

I am aware of all Internet traditions.

One such tradition is “Friday Cat Blogging."

I would like to revive it, along with the blogosphere c. 2003 - 2006, before social media executed its decapitation strike upon it.

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

Today's Water Cooler 2026-06-12

https://t.co/lyPbmXE9j8

We're looking at a woozle.

First, Democrats ratf*ck Platner. Then they clutch their pearls and head for the fainting couch over the narrative their own ratf*cking created

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

On Platner: "I am not looking to date the man."

And: "Graham Platner gets more primary votes than any other Democratic Senate candidate in Maine history"

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

Friday Cat Blogging

https://t.co/tbD9hb9LJD

Give me your tired cats, your poor cats, your huddled masses of cats yearning to breathe free…

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

@iwelsh @aakashgupta Work Slop to make slop. Impressive!

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

Snark Rectification:

Not "Google AI Spew"

"Google AI Overspew"

* * *

Completelly parallel to the name Google's search-killling misfeature, and more accurate, too (like, "spew" all "over" everything).

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

Today's Water Cooler 2026-06-11

https://t.co/4GF7qlwb3N

Hat tip deBoer on the ratf*cking call 👍

[lambert strether @lambertstrether]

Maine voters:

"Numerous attendees said they felt stories about Platner’s past were establishment attempts to smear him that won’t work on voters here. Some empathized with his past struggles and said they’re more focused on his message

Dems tried to ratf*ck Platner. And failed