Max Cooper (Letters, March 3) appears to be a highly sensitive person, describing his “horrible embarrassment” when he was “forced to admit” to out-of-staters that Paul LePage had been elected governor of Maine. Apparently, an ordinary political conversation about voters’ possible motivations in their choice was too much for him to handle.

It’s odd that he chose to liken Graham Platner to LePage and to Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman. The contrast between LePage’s policies and Platner’s could not be clearer and should not require reciting. Fetterman has vigorously supported the U.S.-sponsored assault on Gaza and now on Iran. He was unconcerned about the loss of ACA subsidies, even though he has suffered mental and physical health issues for which he received excellent government-paid treatment. This could not be further from Platner’s support for universal health care and an end to devastating, unnecessary foreign wars.

Sen. Ruben Gallego from Arizona recently broke with the Democratic Party to endorse Platner’s run for Senate, saying that Platner “is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families.” A fellow Marine, Gallego added that Platner “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine, and that’s exactly why I’m proud to endorse him.” 

Unlike Susan Collins, whom former Sen. Harry Reid once described as “always there when you don’t need her,” Platner is someone Maine could be proud of.

Renee Cote
Auburn