Cliff & Joe Walsh verbally duel over Maine's chaotic Senate race, the Nazi-tattoo question, and whether character still matters in Democratic primaries. Tequila Talk gets real.
I’ve watched and listened to Graham Platner in many interviews. He HAS apologized for past actions. He doesn’t “use” his military past and culture as an excuse…he talks about it as a mitigating factor. You will hear him say that it’s not an excuse, but rather an explanation of where his head was during that time.
I would also characterize him as much more “centrist” than “leftist,” based on how he describes where he stands on issues. And I think he is as authentic as a person can be given the times we are living in.
Joe, there is a great interview of Platner on The John Stewart podcast. Check it out. And I am not an antisemite, but I 100% believe Bibi is committing genocide, so I agree with Platner on that point.
Thx for the comment, Peggy. I thought what you said was the case. I’ve looked him up since, and have seen him apologize. I found it ironic I was defending him to Joe, and re the broader pro-democracy coalition, we’re so quick to cast ppl aside when we need every new person we can get. His billionaires message, on monopolies, our failing system is pitch perfect. I haven’t found him lying about his mistakes. I’ll keep looking. And, look, military culture is a mitigating factor. I was heavily in jock culture bc I was a recruited athlete. I wish I could take back things I said in high school & college. So many are quick to criticize what they’d give themselves a pass for.
Re Bibi, I don’t like using genocide, bad historical implications wrt Jews, but I get why it’s used. I call Bibi a war criminal & mass murderer, and think it spells it out pretty well.
You need to stop using the term genocide. Its definition does not fit your intent. Yes, Bibi is responsible for the killing of innocents by virtue of his belief you can kill “an idea” he is only creating an army of the future. At the same time the civilians need to figure out how-to get Hamas out of Gaza. They hide amongst civilians and are directly responsible for their deaths. Until then Paestinians understand that they could live in peace alongside Israel they will continue to sacrifice their offspring to a belief that they can actually eliminate the Israelis. Genocide, if you must know, is the active institution of destroying people based on their face/genetic makeup. If Israel was indeed genocidal, there would not be any Arabs living peacefully inside Israel proper. To be sure, there are many.
Alaskan here, not a libertarian! Not a native either I’ve been here for about 30 years. My husband‘s been here about 60. Just remember Alaska used to be blue before oil came here.! and it’s taken this long for the money to dry up and for people to wake back up again we love Mary Peltola ! 😍
You make a great point. But Alaska is trending blue again already on the national level too. Kamala Harris outperformed Obama by a decent amount even when she lost nationally. We've won a bunch of other statewides, and Peltola will win this time. Alaska is pretty close to being a swing state at this point.
I'm a Mainer, and I've tried for years to get rid of Collins, and I hope it's finally time. I really like Mills, who's been a good governor AND stood up to Chump to his face, but she's my age—too old. I've listened to Platner and have been impressed, and he's the candidate in any case. I simply hope for the best. He has admitted and apologized for former actions. Incidentally, I'm not antisemitic in the least, but I do not support Israel under Netanyahu, but it isn't the country, it's the leader.I'm not turning against the U.S. because of Chump either.
Exactly how I feel. Some of what Platner did bothers me, but we make mistakes, his are public. As a guy who can admit I was once a young, dumb male in this society, you do things you *think* are cool before you figure out who you are, things that embarrass you later. It can worse, but often it isn't. Re Israel I agree too. I support it in general and wish ppl would stop equating Bibi w Israel. He'd be a racist, murdering asshole whether Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jainist, or anything else...
And there were many atrocities by Palestinians, and Arabs in general, against Israel before this. Do we want to get into Entebbe, Munich, suicide bombers, and the wars? Starting in 1948 Israel was surprise attacked by multiple Arab states seeking to extinguish its people from the Earth. In 1948, 1973, on Yom Kippur. I could go on. Let's try to actually be objective here. Yes, Sharon was terrible too. But Israel also offered a peace treaty--twice--with 97% of what was asked and both Arafat and Abbas turned them down, scared they'd be murdered by their own people. Some fairness here would be nice.
Joe, there is no tent big enough for you and me. Why would you criticise someone who has been embraced by the citizens in his state who trust and believe in him? You are the fraud. Enjoy your tequila in a room by yourself.
I meant voters. Democrats "embrace" all their candidates. We'll see in November what the voters embrace. Currently I'm about 50/50 leaning a little to Susie Concern keeping her job. There's just too much baggage the GOP can make hay with, considering what they can gin up when there IS no baggage.
If Elizabeth Warren is a voter in Maine, she's in big trouble, and in danger of being expelled from the Senate for representing Massachusetts under false pretenses!
Platner is not a Nazi. He got a Tat while in the Marines in Croatia. The Tat is a skull and cross bones. Not SS lighting bolts, no nazi symbols. Basically the Jolly Roger. I met him a year ago we had a long talk he’s legit.
I guess I should be embarrassed because I didn't know that tattoo had anything to do with Nazis. I've read a lot and studied and didn't come across the tattoo. I asked a couple friends and they had it as a skull and crossbones like pirates or poison.
Planter is 100% correct. Israel committed genocide in Gaza and continues to commit genocide in Gaza and it is now launched a whole new genocidal campaign up in Lebanon that should be clear to anyone looking at what’s happening there and it’s just shocking a lack of moral clarity to try excuse what Israel is doing both in Gaza and in Lebanon.
Cheryl, you can be a Zionist, the belief Jews need a homeland from 1/3 being destroyed not including pogroms for thousands of years and also think Bibi is a rancid, racist, war criminal who belongs in The Hague. Zionism is not be definition racism. That's not how why it was founded. Now you can be against Zionism, think it's not justified or make other moral arguments against it. But many Zionists do not excuse Israel--and I'd say Bibi here, bc it is Bibi, Rabin was not this--for committing atrocities.
My heart hurts for every generation of Jewish people that have suffered hate crimes and I wish I could protect them all. Bibi is wretched and we all agree to that, but he is supported by Israel, because culturally he is leading to the main goal of the greater Israel, the Zionist project. Zionism is a dangerous form of nationalism that puts everyone in danger and starts wars. Love for something and the ideas of something are not valid justification of it.
it is not anti Semitic to dislike Israel when they've been stealing our money and the Jewish billionaires are hurting the American people and committing genocide...not anti semitic and I was married to a Jewish man.
Pro tip here, Mairy, when you claim you’re not anti-Semitic, saying “the Jewish billionaires are hurting the American people” is not your strongest argument—in fact, it’s anti-Semitic!
Peter Thiel—not Jewish. Elon Musk—not Jewish. Jeff Bezos—not Jewish. Charles Koch—not Jewish. Richard Uihlein—not Jewish. Linda McMahon—not Jewish. Diane Hendricks—not Jewish. Mark Zuckerberg—Jewish. Larry Ellison—Jewish. Miriam Adelson—Jewish.
From your language I’m assuming you don’t like right wing billionaires. Well, there are some Jews, many more are not. So you could’ve just said “billionaires.” That you put “Jewish” in front of it is telling on yourself.
And also, I did not name any names so pro tip, get your facts straight b3fore attacking someone. Ask "hey, what did you mean by your comment?" Before you make accusations and accuse anyone of being anti semetic.
I'm anti zionist jews…full stop! They are who are destroying the world for their sick views that they are the chosen people.
I have no issues with decent, kind, Jewish people…I was married to one, and his parents and grandparents were honorable and decent….it's the shisters I have issues with
Joe, you probably won’t read this but I need to say it. You come across as an inauthentic blow hard recent convert trying to convince everybody how holy you are. Good luck with that. Meanwhile, Democrats and thinking people in America know that if we don’t come together under whatever covering is big enough, we will definitely lose to this oligarchy and democracy will die. Either get on the bus or get off. Please!
He DID say that- and I am appalled! I pasted this during the live but no reaction!
As of September 2025, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel, under the leadership of Prime Minister Netanyahu, is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip
I thought maybe I misheard it. Thank you for responding. Now I want him to explain why he feels that way. Is Joe Jewish? (which is really beside the point). I may have to become a nonlistener.
Argue with Joe all you want on genocide. I've called Bibi out for being a war criminal. But we're now allowing Zionism as a stand in for racism here. Racism is thinking other's are inferior. Zionism was literally founded to ensure Jews had a place to when the inevitable pogroms/gas chambers come along. You can disagree with Zionism, think it's wrong. But it just isn't the same as racism, and if you studied its roots you'd know that.
How horrible! Consider this, Joe. What if Trump decided that Native Americans deserved their land back (in return for their votes of course). And he picked your town to be the land giver. So the NAs drove everyone out of your town or killed or captured them and moved into their houses. Voila! A Native American settlement. What would you call it? Justice, redistricting or something else? (To be clear, I am not condoning what happened to Native Americans in this country nor am I suggesting they would ever do this.)
For a guy who has been in the tent for a little over a year, Joe has not earned the the rank of Chief Admissions Officer. Joe: you are way fun, but don't get bigger than your britches.
Cliff, I hope you think twice before interviewing Joe under the influence of tequila again. We don’t need any more sanctimonious bullshitters around here.
Respect your opinion, KR, but you’re making too much of the drinking, we have a few sips, maybe a shot or 2.
We’re not inebriated, I wouldn’t go on air that way, nor would he. These are Joe’s real feelings. I think he’s dead wrong and told him so. And you can think the same, but it wasn’t the tequila talking.
I’ve watched and listened to Graham Platner in many interviews. He HAS apologized for past actions. He doesn’t “use” his military past and culture as an excuse…he talks about it as a mitigating factor. You will hear him say that it’s not an excuse, but rather an explanation of where his head was during that time.
I would also characterize him as much more “centrist” than “leftist,” based on how he describes where he stands on issues. And I think he is as authentic as a person can be given the times we are living in.
Joe, there is a great interview of Platner on The John Stewart podcast. Check it out. And I am not an antisemite, but I 100% believe Bibi is committing genocide, so I agree with Platner on that point.
Thx for the comment, Peggy. I thought what you said was the case. I’ve looked him up since, and have seen him apologize. I found it ironic I was defending him to Joe, and re the broader pro-democracy coalition, we’re so quick to cast ppl aside when we need every new person we can get. His billionaires message, on monopolies, our failing system is pitch perfect. I haven’t found him lying about his mistakes. I’ll keep looking. And, look, military culture is a mitigating factor. I was heavily in jock culture bc I was a recruited athlete. I wish I could take back things I said in high school & college. So many are quick to criticize what they’d give themselves a pass for.
Re Bibi, I don’t like using genocide, bad historical implications wrt Jews, but I get why it’s used. I call Bibi a war criminal & mass murderer, and think it spells it out pretty well.
Last time I looked I can't find the nation of Palestine anywhere outside of Gaza and the West Bank…
You need to stop using the term genocide. Its definition does not fit your intent. Yes, Bibi is responsible for the killing of innocents by virtue of his belief you can kill “an idea” he is only creating an army of the future. At the same time the civilians need to figure out how-to get Hamas out of Gaza. They hide amongst civilians and are directly responsible for their deaths. Until then Paestinians understand that they could live in peace alongside Israel they will continue to sacrifice their offspring to a belief that they can actually eliminate the Israelis. Genocide, if you must know, is the active institution of destroying people based on their face/genetic makeup. If Israel was indeed genocidal, there would not be any Arabs living peacefully inside Israel proper. To be sure, there are many.
Your definition of genocide is not the standard one. It can also apply to destroying a nation, such as Palestine.
Alaskan here, not a libertarian! Not a native either I’ve been here for about 30 years. My husband‘s been here about 60. Just remember Alaska used to be blue before oil came here.! and it’s taken this long for the money to dry up and for people to wake back up again we love Mary Peltola ! 😍
You make a great point. But Alaska is trending blue again already on the national level too. Kamala Harris outperformed Obama by a decent amount even when she lost nationally. We've won a bunch of other statewides, and Peltola will win this time. Alaska is pretty close to being a swing state at this point.
I’m watching frightening misleading ads against Mary right now. The opposition is going to flood the zone of lies.
I'm a Mainer, and I've tried for years to get rid of Collins, and I hope it's finally time. I really like Mills, who's been a good governor AND stood up to Chump to his face, but she's my age—too old. I've listened to Platner and have been impressed, and he's the candidate in any case. I simply hope for the best. He has admitted and apologized for former actions. Incidentally, I'm not antisemitic in the least, but I do not support Israel under Netanyahu, but it isn't the country, it's the leader.I'm not turning against the U.S. because of Chump either.
Exactly how I feel. Some of what Platner did bothers me, but we make mistakes, his are public. As a guy who can admit I was once a young, dumb male in this society, you do things you *think* are cool before you figure out who you are, things that embarrass you later. It can worse, but often it isn't. Re Israel I agree too. I support it in general and wish ppl would stop equating Bibi w Israel. He'd be a racist, murdering asshole whether Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jainist, or anything else...
And there were many atrocities by Palestinians, and Arabs in general, against Israel before this. Do we want to get into Entebbe, Munich, suicide bombers, and the wars? Starting in 1948 Israel was surprise attacked by multiple Arab states seeking to extinguish its people from the Earth. In 1948, 1973, on Yom Kippur. I could go on. Let's try to actually be objective here. Yes, Sharon was terrible too. But Israel also offered a peace treaty--twice--with 97% of what was asked and both Arafat and Abbas turned them down, scared they'd be murdered by their own people. Some fairness here would be nice.
I needed the reminder, though I doubt anyone has done much worse in our lifetimes. Yes, we absolutely must find a way to end these atrocities.
Joe, there is no tent big enough for you and me. Why would you criticise someone who has been embraced by the citizens in his state who trust and believe in him? You are the fraud. Enjoy your tequila in a room by yourself.
He actually hasn't been "embraced" by anyone as he is now a candidate without an opponent.
Key Democratic leaders who have embraced Platner include Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
https://youtu.be/gtzts-Tq5qQ?si=wBF07ok6U7TdxhT0
I meant voters. Democrats "embrace" all their candidates. We'll see in November what the voters embrace. Currently I'm about 50/50 leaning a little to Susie Concern keeping her job. There's just too much baggage the GOP can make hay with, considering what they can gin up when there IS no baggage.
I cannot boo this comment enough.
If Elizabeth Warren is a voter in Maine, she's in big trouble, and in danger of being expelled from the Senate for representing Massachusetts under false pretenses!
Joe, as a Democrat-come-lately, you don’t get to decide the size of our tent…
Platner is not a Nazi. He got a Tat while in the Marines in Croatia. The Tat is a skull and cross bones. Not SS lighting bolts, no nazi symbols. Basically the Jolly Roger. I met him a year ago we had a long talk he’s legit.
Platner's tat'ners over Smegseth's schmegraphics any time.
I guess I should be embarrassed because I didn't know that tattoo had anything to do with Nazis. I've read a lot and studied and didn't come across the tattoo. I asked a couple friends and they had it as a skull and crossbones like pirates or poison.
Planter is 100% correct. Israel committed genocide in Gaza and continues to commit genocide in Gaza and it is now launched a whole new genocidal campaign up in Lebanon that should be clear to anyone looking at what’s happening there and it’s just shocking a lack of moral clarity to try excuse what Israel is doing both in Gaza and in Lebanon.
Joe Walsh is a Zionist that excuses Israel for genocide. That’s why he doesn’t like Platner, he stands against genocide. Choose your fighter
Cheryl, you can be a Zionist, the belief Jews need a homeland from 1/3 being destroyed not including pogroms for thousands of years and also think Bibi is a rancid, racist, war criminal who belongs in The Hague. Zionism is not be definition racism. That's not how why it was founded. Now you can be against Zionism, think it's not justified or make other moral arguments against it. But many Zionists do not excuse Israel--and I'd say Bibi here, bc it is Bibi, Rabin was not this--for committing atrocities.
My heart hurts for every generation of Jewish people that have suffered hate crimes and I wish I could protect them all. Bibi is wretched and we all agree to that, but he is supported by Israel, because culturally he is leading to the main goal of the greater Israel, the Zionist project. Zionism is a dangerous form of nationalism that puts everyone in danger and starts wars. Love for something and the ideas of something are not valid justification of it.
it is not anti Semitic to dislike Israel when they've been stealing our money and the Jewish billionaires are hurting the American people and committing genocide...not anti semitic and I was married to a Jewish man.
Pro tip here, Mairy, when you claim you’re not anti-Semitic, saying “the Jewish billionaires are hurting the American people” is not your strongest argument—in fact, it’s anti-Semitic!
Peter Thiel—not Jewish. Elon Musk—not Jewish. Jeff Bezos—not Jewish. Charles Koch—not Jewish. Richard Uihlein—not Jewish. Linda McMahon—not Jewish. Diane Hendricks—not Jewish. Mark Zuckerberg—Jewish. Larry Ellison—Jewish. Miriam Adelson—Jewish.
From your language I’m assuming you don’t like right wing billionaires. Well, there are some Jews, many more are not. So you could’ve just said “billionaires.” That you put “Jewish” in front of it is telling on yourself.
And also, I did not name any names so pro tip, get your facts straight b3fore attacking someone. Ask "hey, what did you mean by your comment?" Before you make accusations and accuse anyone of being anti semetic.
Pro tip…don't police someone else ok?
I'm anti zionist jews…full stop! They are who are destroying the world for their sick views that they are the chosen people.
I have no issues with decent, kind, Jewish people…I was married to one, and his parents and grandparents were honorable and decent….it's the shisters I have issues with
Auto corrected shyster...I wouldn't doubt you'd call me on that also
Joe, you probably won’t read this but I need to say it. You come across as an inauthentic blow hard recent convert trying to convince everybody how holy you are. Good luck with that. Meanwhile, Democrats and thinking people in America know that if we don’t come together under whatever covering is big enough, we will definitely lose to this oligarchy and democracy will die. Either get on the bus or get off. Please!
Joe , did I hear you say that Israel is NOT committing genocide?
He DID say that- and I am appalled! I pasted this during the live but no reaction!
As of September 2025, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel, under the leadership of Prime Minister Netanyahu, is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip
I thought maybe I misheard it. Thank you for responding. Now I want him to explain why he feels that way. Is Joe Jewish? (which is really beside the point). I may have to become a nonlistener.
I don’t understand how it can be denied!! But yeah I can’t listen to him anymore!
Argue with Joe all you want on genocide. I've called Bibi out for being a war criminal. But we're now allowing Zionism as a stand in for racism here. Racism is thinking other's are inferior. Zionism was literally founded to ensure Jews had a place to when the inevitable pogroms/gas chambers come along. You can disagree with Zionism, think it's wrong. But it just isn't the same as racism, and if you studied its roots you'd know that.
How horrible! Consider this, Joe. What if Trump decided that Native Americans deserved their land back (in return for their votes of course). And he picked your town to be the land giver. So the NAs drove everyone out of your town or killed or captured them and moved into their houses. Voila! A Native American settlement. What would you call it? Justice, redistricting or something else? (To be clear, I am not condoning what happened to Native Americans in this country nor am I suggesting they would ever do this.)
there is disliking people who happen to be Jewish doesn't make one anti Semitic
For a guy who has been in the tent for a little over a year, Joe has not earned the the rank of Chief Admissions Officer. Joe: you are way fun, but don't get bigger than your britches.
Too much chit-chat and a genocide denial. My first time here and I'm not coming back.
Sherrod Brown is a wonderful man. So support him…
He is the best. Literally the best.
Cliff, I hope you think twice before interviewing Joe under the influence of tequila again. We don’t need any more sanctimonious bullshitters around here.
Respect your opinion, KR, but you’re making too much of the drinking, we have a few sips, maybe a shot or 2.
We’re not inebriated, I wouldn’t go on air that way, nor would he. These are Joe’s real feelings. I think he’s dead wrong and told him so. And you can think the same, but it wasn’t the tequila talking.