Ex-Obama Aides Urge Maine Democrats to Unite in Collins Race

Former aides to President Barack Obama have urged Maine Democrats to overcome internal divisions and rally behind U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson in his race against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.

On the podcast "Pod Save America," former Obama strategist Dan Pfeiffer expressed concern over lingering dissatisfaction among some Maine Democrats regarding Jackson, who replaced the initial candidate Graham Platner after sexual assault allegations emerged against him. Platner's replacement has also faced scrutiny over past controversies.

Pfeiffer stated that some Democrats who supported Platner are unhappy with the process that led to Jackson's nomination, and that there were reported tensions between Jackson and another figure, Mills, as recently as two weeks prior, with neither having endorsed the other. "Everyone get over your s--- and let's try to win this race," Pfeiffer advised.

He suggested that former President Obama's recent endorsement video, urging Maine voters not to sit out the election, may have been aimed at energizing those who are not enthusiastic about Jackson due to the circumstances of his nomination. Pfeiffer noted that even polls showing Collins ahead indicate that a majority of voters in Maine desire a Democratic Senate.

Jon Favreau, another former Obama speechwriter, echoed Pfeiffer's concerns about unity. He pointed to Michigan Democrats as an example of a party that successfully unified after a divisive primary, leading to victories for candidates like Gretchen Whitmer and Haley Stevens.

"I really wish — I do think that Troy Jackson would probably benefit from more Maine Democrats and national Democrats kind of, you know, because, like, Maine is the kind of state that, again, it wants to go Democratic," Favreau said. "They want — those voters want a Democratic Senate. That's what they're telling."

Conversely, Julian Epstein, a Democratic strategist, offered a critical view, characterizing some candidates as "socialist revolutionaries" and criticizing what he sees as the Democratic Party's embrace of centralized economic decision-making and an expanding welfare state. He suggested that the political and consultant class prioritizes power over principle, rationalizing the nomination of controversial candidates.

Jesse Arm, vice president of external affairs at the Manhattan Institute, commented that the "Pod Save America" hosts are struggling to cope with the political landscape, attributing Collins' strong standing to her reputation as a "sensible moderate" whom Maine voters trust to be impartial.