Troy Jackson picked to challenge Collins in Maine after Platner's exit

Democrats selected former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson on Saturday to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins this fall after Graham Platner's embattled campaign ended.Why it matters: Jackson's selection is another win for the left flank of the Democratic party, which lined up behind another progressive candidate as their best shot at flipping one of the most important seats to win back Senate control.Driving the news: Delegates to a special nominating convention selected Jackson Saturday morning, the Associated Press reported. Jackson all but locked up the nomination last weekend after Democrats across the state overwhelmingly selected his preferred delegate slate."We're well on our way to getting the government that we fucking deserve," Jackson said in a video to supporters at the time. Top contenders in the crowded race subsequently ended their campaigns. Jackson replaces the scandal-plagued Platner, who was accused of sexual assault — an allegation he denies.Catch up quick: Jackson, whose campaign describes him as a fifth-generation logger and "lifelong fighter for workers' rights," finished third in June's Democratic primary for governor.His campaign priorities include passing Medicare for all, cutting off tax dollars to Israel's military, abolishing ICE and passing a federal right to abortion.Progressive kingmaker Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) endorsed Jackson in the gubernatorial race.What to watch: Jackson may have glided through his party's nomination process, but Republicans have been preparing for a massive ad blitz against whoever ended up as Platner's replacement.Go deeper: The Trump effect: Why Dems embraced a Platner time bomb

Troy Jackson Picked to Replace Platner at Maine Democratic Convention - but He May Have More Issues

Maine Dems pick Troy Jackson to replace Graham Platner and take on Susan Collins in high stakes Senate race 

The special nominating convention in Bangor served as a coronation for Jackson, who essentially locked up the nomination earlier this week.

'Filled with envy': Stephen Miller's claim that God makes good people pretty gets shredded

Stephen Miller's recent argument that physical beauty reveals moral character hasn't gone quite according to plan. Miller raised eyebrows Saturday after telling attendees of a State Department high-level diplomatic meeting that he noticed a common trait among "leftwing terrorists."“You look at these violent antifa demonstrations and you see any photograph of those who were assembled — to be blunt, not one of the people that is demonstrating looks like a normal person,” he said. “Not one looks normal. They’re all deformed in some way — in their appearance, in their dress, in their mannerism.”These comments stunned MSNOW analyst Luke Russert because Miller seemed to be suggesting the moral high-ground was his. Miller famously orchestrated President Donald Trump's first-term immigration policy that put children in cages and faced backlash when leaked emails showed he distributed white nationalist content replete with racist theory based on debunked science. So Russert was surprised when Miller "tried to claim the religious high ground" — and again relied on looks to do it. “The leftist looks at what is beautiful and what is good and what is natural and is filled with envy and hatred,” Miller said. “The leftist looks at a perfect family with the perfect life and a perfect job and perfect kids that go to church every Sunday and is filled with a feeling of inadequacy and jealousy."Russert admitted he was unpersuaded by Miller's argument that Democrats were jealous of his beauty — admittedly on religious grounds. "His suggestion that people’s physical appearance reveals their moral character runs contrary to themes repeated throughout the Bible," Russert wrote. "Jesus says, 'Stop judging by appearances, but judge justly.'"Yet it is worth noting that Miller was carping on a topic his snarkier critics often use to attack him: physical appearance. When Miller in May lobbed an anti-trans insult at state Rep. James Talarico (D-TX), currently running to replace replace John Cornyn in the Senate, the Democratic Party didn't take it lying down. "The Democrats made history in Texas by nominating their first transgender senate candidate," Miller said of Talarico, who is not transgendered. Replied the Democratic Party, "Shut up you ugly f---."

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Troy Jackson Picked to Replace Platner as Democratic Nominee in Maine Senate Race

Mr. Jackson, a progressive former State Senate president, clinched the nomination at a hastily arranged state party convention.

Maine Democrats to pick new Senate nominee after Graham Platner exit

Sen. Susan Collins has raised more than $16 million so far, compared to Jackson's more than $1 million raised since entering the race.