General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDSA sent out a letter telling DSA candidates and elected officials to no longer work with Morris Katz or Fight Agency
https://theintercept.com/2026/07/10/dsa-graham-platner-morris-katz-consultant/
I'm sorry but I'm getting very concerned that Platner is not going to withdraw, which will force Democrats to attempt a write-in campaign, the vote will be split and Collins will be the benefactor. **Update** Platner has withdrawn
update: Bluesky post with a link to letter included
if you're a dsa member, please sign this letter about morris katz and why dsa elected officials should no longer work with him
— rose (@breadnrosie.bsky.social) 2026-07-09T15:53:12.703Z
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
TBF
(37,809 posts)RandySF
(88,601 posts)But their conduct of the Platner campaign is a huge red flag.
Skittles
(173,933 posts)WTF
Cha
(321,799 posts)Swamped, inundated, overloaded...
And still he was supported until the kicker. What a surprise that was with all the red flags.
Quiet Em
(3,359 posts)yardwork
(70,202 posts)Maybe he didn't need Katz's help.
RandySF
(88,601 posts)Because Osbourne and El-Sayed are knee-deep.
Quiet Em
(3,359 posts)and yeah, this association could harm both El-Sayed and Osbourne's campaigns.
Quiet Em
(3,359 posts)if you're a dsa member, please sign this letter about morris katz and why dsa elected officials should no longer work with him
— rose (@breadnrosie.bsky.social) 2026-07-09T15:53:12.703Z
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
DemocratSinceBirth
(102,104 posts)Being an ex bartender Platner probably activated her spidey sense.
TBF
(37,809 posts)DemocratSinceBirth
(102,104 posts)betsuni
(29,531 posts)Experience is actually good!
I'm impressed. Yes, blacklist these bastards.
RandySF
(88,601 posts)Id love to see AOC speak up. She was the only DSA elected to decline endorsing Platner.
Celerity
(55,581 posts)That is false.
The only elected US House member (and he is not even DSA) to officially endorse Platner was Ro Khanna.
The only elected DSA related member in either chamber to endorse Platner was Sanders.
Here is a snapshot of the Platner endorsements taken on June 29th, a week before the rape allegations dropped:
https://web.archive.org/web/20260629155337/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_Senate_election_in_Maine#Democratic_primary



here is a live link showing all those endorsements (including all that were rescinded)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_Senate_election_in_Maine
Cha
(321,799 posts)campaign manager, Saikat Chakrabarti, who ran for Nancy Pelosi's seat.
comradebillyboy
(10,980 posts)Cha
(321,799 posts)lapucelle
(21,384 posts)The resolution mandates that DSA members and endorsed elected officials may face expulsion if they:
● Oppose the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
● Are affiliated with lobbying groups they deem to be Zionist (specifically mentioning. AIPAC, J Street, and the Democratic Majority for Israel).
● Express support for Israels right to defend itself.
======================
And DSA is not shy about imposing conditions on AOC.
July 10, 2024
On Sunday, June 23rd, the DSA National Political Committee (NPC) voted to endorse Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) so long as she fulfills the following conditions:
https://www.dsausa.org/statements/status-of-dsa-national-endorsement-for-rep-ocasio-cortez/
yardwork
(70,202 posts)Like other authoritarian movements they believe the ends justify the means. History shows what always happens.
orthoclad
(5,361 posts)Gotcha.
lapucelle
(21,384 posts)You are perfectly free to think that dictating terms and backing them up with threats is best described as *having a position*, but Merriam Webster disagrees:
1: of, relating to, or favoring blind submission to authority
2: favoring strict rules over individual freedom
3: displaying a domineering or dictatorial manner
Glad you've got it!
orthoclad
(5,361 posts)Classic right-wing talking point.
Doing Trump's work.
Cha
(321,799 posts)Last edited Fri Jul 10, 2026, 11:39 PM - Edit history (1)
to cite the Dictionary's definition of authoritarianism.
Stop insulting our DU members, she's right.
Celerity
(55,581 posts)He has officially withdrawn now.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221366369
https://www.wmtw.com/article/graham-platner-withdraws-us-senate-race/71899666
Quiet Em
(3,359 posts)Thank you
rollin74
(2,357 posts)Deminpenn
(17,663 posts)with a winning message.
My sense is that much of the angst is centered around the growing opposition by Americans, especially young Americans, to the ongoing Israeli military action in Gaza, or war if you prefer. Not to mention Israeli involvement in Lebanon and Iran.
Just a reminder that Speaker Pelosi was just fine with Democratic candidates running against her because her priority was winning. And if Dem candidates could win by running away from her, so be it.
Quiet Em
(3,359 posts)that created the enthusiastic and winning campaign, not Katz
yardwork
(70,202 posts)It sounds like Katz is good at packaging campaigns but somebody was very poor at vetting this candidate. I don't know if the fault lies with Katz or others.
The progressive message is not going away. We need to be more careful at picking candidates. There must be millions of potential candidates who have progressive platforms, are charismatic, and don't have Nazi tattoos, cringey texts, or sexual assault allegations in their past.
DinahMoeHum
(23,798 posts)to Run For Something, instead of charlatans like Katz, Moraff and Fan
https://runforsomething.net/
intheflow
(30,322 posts)Hes a mixed bag, for sure.