Americast – Have the Democrats found a new strategy to scare Trump?
Available for more than a year
Why has a Maine oyster fisherman (who has been criticized for carrying a Nazi tattoo) become a favorite for Democrats and one of their best hopes to help take back the U.S. Senate in this year’s midterm elections? The northeastern state of Maine has become a hotbed for Democrats seeking to unseat Republican senator Susan Collins and elect the first Democratic senator in decades. But it also tells a larger story about how the Democratic party is trying to combat Donald Trump more broadly beyond the midterm elections in November and into the 2028 presidential election. Justin and Anthony explain what Maine tells us about Democratic strategy and why Graham Platner, currently on the first ballot, is not your typical Democratic candidate. So does this tell us anything important about what voters want in 2026? We also talk with Josh Keefe, a reporter for the nonprofit Maine Monitor who went to school with Graham Platner. He talks about his memories of Platner, what he thinks of Mainers’ tattoos and Reddit scandals, and tells us what he loves about his state, as in the return of our United States feature. PRESENTERS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent GUEST: • Josh Keefe, Maine Monitor Reporter CONTACT: • Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use: #Americast This episode was produced by George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The producer of the series is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you would like to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by pressing the subscribe button in the app. You can now listen to Americast on your smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast.” Works on most smart speakers. US Election Not Turned: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155 Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also produces many other podcasts, including Newscast. If you enjoyed Americast (and if you’re reading this, I hope you do), we think you’ll enjoy our other capsules, too. See the links below. Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Radical: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd Best Commentary BBC Sounds – Best Commentary – Available Episodes
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