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Shane Leonard

@shanes.bsky.social
59 followers 14 following 80 posts

I photograph, write, read, watch things (movies, TV, people), do a podcast...basically I'm into entertaining or being entertained.

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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Yeah. Point taken there. It’s like trying to prove a negative somewhat. Seems clear that w/platforms being equal, the oppo prob wasn’t there. I preferred her volunteering to run (as you did, probably), as opposed to being recruited like the 2 front runners. I wish it’d played out differently for her
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
I don’t disagree there. The hardest thing was getting her name out there after missing the sig threshold. If she had been able to do that normally, procuring 1600/2000 signatures, it seems clear she would have gotten them. It prob kills her to know that but it is what it is & she still went for it!
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
But, again, as we’re adults, if you can’t see that point and how you’be moved on to something similar, but not exact, then I see the waste of time. It’s cool, really. Have a good night. Rock on! Hopefully we tank Collins together down the road. G’night!
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Lucas. I don’t think you’re hearing me. I heard you say a write in can’t win. That’s wrong. Provably wrong. It seems like you think I’m arguing that *she* can win as opposed to a write in, anyone, can win an election. Do you see the difference? I’m not arguing the point you’ve shifted to, man.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
I totally agree. Mills parachuting in to remind voters she’s still on the ballot was infuriating. Especially when I admire LaFlamme for trying thru it all, uphill, 24/7, Mills just wanted to have it handed to her after performing ghastly with voters. No thanks! I’m with you there!
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
she’s a political piñata for the bigger argument. She’s a 1 on a million shot. But you’re conflating different arguments beyond the one I disproved. Since she’s such an underdog it’s easy to bash in other ways. Your contention is in error. But her winning overall I concede. But not the 1st point
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
No. She probably won’t win. But she *can* win as a write in and that’s what you stood on initially. That a wrote in can’t win. Sorry, man. It’s ok. Factually that’s not true. She could win as a write in. Whether she does or not is a different point. But it’s clear she’s a longshot. Not the point.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
One thing I learned about this is that if you don’t meet the sig threshold then media won’t cover you no matter what. She didn’t have he backing of dem leadership in Maine and couldn’t get media to acknowledge her running. It was totally uphill. But she pleased voters when she met them & kept trying
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
There’s a reason she suspended her campaign and didn’t meet the sig threshold. But there’s more than 1 way to run for office and write in is the other. So now we’ve circled back around. But if you don’t know her story that’s ok - she’s been clear and open why the sigs were gotten in time.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Lucas, maybe we’re on the same side here, in which case understand my tone isn’t combative. But you keep moving the goalposts. First a write in can’t win. Now it’s why she didn’t get the signatures. It feels like you’re going to keep finding a reason to avoid acknowledging she qualified. 1/2
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Right. She’s also 31 years older, from a different party, in a different state, on a different coast, etc. There’s an ocean of differences between them. That’s not the point or the point of contention. You said a write in isn’t going to win. I proved you’re wrong. It can happen. It HAS happened.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Yeah, man! Agreed!
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Yup. Someone has to, so it might as well be our party! I’m sorry for your headache with it all just the same. I never know how that stuff gets resolved. When I voted this morn, there were a lot of officials standing around. Figured they’d swoop in & correct anything! Sucks!
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Also, for whatever it’s worth, I like your avatar a lot! And I appreciate the well meaning disagreement. I hope we all get what we want in the end!
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
I feel, perhaps like you do, that Collins is very vulnerable. I know there’s questions about whether or not any of the primary dems can beat her but I know from past actions, if it’s a “necessary” state, the DNC backs the candidate. But we’re trading in hypotheticals here. We’ll have to see, Neal!
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Oh no! I just ran in to you on here but seeing this bums me out. I’m sorry to hear it - that’s a good reminder just the same, though. I know Maine has some odd voting day rules - any way they let you switch or correct it on the spot?
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Costello seems like a nice enough human, but he doesn’t seem to want to win this primary. I didn’t see her taking votes from him rather taking votes from the undecided. Where he was idle, she had her foot on the gas all the way trying to make advances.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Viable in the sense that as a qualified candidate thru Maine’s secretary of state’s office, votes count for her. If they write our names down, whatever your real name is, it doesn’t count for anything. But votes for her all add up. That’s what I mean by viable. If she gets more than others she wins
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
No offense, & it’s clear we’re on the same side here: defeat Collins! But Maine is a crucial state to flipping the Senate and if you don’t think they get behind whoever wins the primary we disagree. Which is fine we’re adults we can do that. But no way they just walk if some1 other than Platner wins
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
But it obv still didn’t reach as many as she wanted & was relying on word of mouth & pub appearances all over ME. When she met voters they really took to her. But her continuing to want it said a lot to me, where she worked to be included at every opportunity. Hard if they keep closing the door.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Grayce, I hear ya. When she got sick last fall/winter, it was something she wasn’t sure she’d recover from in time. Then mid-Feb, felt good but weighed if it was too late. When getting sigs she was hearing from lots that they wanted more options so it convinced her. She tried harder than folks know
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Grayce, that was the biggest problem for her campaign. She made it on to a couple well-known podcasts, and she showed up at several “big” events with the other candidates, but the Democratic Party leaders looked down their noses at her because she was a write in. same platform w/no red flags.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Lucas, that’s not true. A woman ran for senate w/out her party’s support in a northern state a few years ago. So she campaigned as a write in. Turns out she won! She’s still in the Senate today, tho on the other side. It was Lisa Murkowski. So people saying it can’t happen are wrong.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
And for whatever it’s worth, she didn’t come out of nowhere a month ago. She registered her campaign before Platner and Mills last year. But the news and Democratic Party in Maine wouldn’t cover her so she was running a grassroots campaign. Turns out she’s the best candidate of all of them.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Yet she’s still a viable candidate somehow. Hmm.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
And you don’t seem to know how general elections go, Neal. You think if she wins the primary that the national Democratic Party doesn’t get behind her with their vast resources, funding, and teams? You think she’d just go in with her own bank account? Your confidence is interesting but it’s wrong.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Exactly! What a weird position to take except he has to parachute in on everything in hopes he can man’splain how wrong everyone is. Convenient when he himself can’t admit he’s wrong and move on.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
What a really odd way to try and parse language and prove you’re right when it’s clear that you’re not. But you can’t admit that and appear to be bigger than you are here, Tucker. It wasn’t about a vibe or suggestion. It was precisely about a word and you’re still trying to decode it to find it.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
@amandalitman.bsky.social take a look at Andrea LaFlamme, a dem who’s also running in Maine’s primary for US Senate. I know she tried to engage your RunForSomething page initially and had difficulty there. Yet she’s still made constant efforts and progress. She IS the best for ranked choice ballots.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
See how unfair it is to say someone is acting in a way they claim they’re not. Just because you don’t like being held accountable doesn’t equal me being aggressive. I was responsive and polite. Then called you out and you didn’t like it. You changed the tone. Fine. Good night, goodbye.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Margaret, no one is talking to you anymore. I said g’night minutes ago & you keep chasing me, accusing me of being aggressive. I’m only holding you accountable & you don’t seem to like it. Sooo, once again, I agree to disagree. And I’ve not been aggressive any more than you’ve been bitchy.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
So…good luck, good night. Good bye! All the best to you, truly.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
But, I’m smart enough to know when someone isn’t acting in good faith (she’s a single issue voter), moving goalposts, claiming to know about her supporters without having no idea where she’s campaigning… you’re either a troll, or mad she’s holding people accountable table. Either way, this is weird
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Oh. Okay. If you’ve really read her platform in good faith then you’d know she’s more than one issue. That would be a single issue but she’s for equal pay, codifying rights, better healthcare, student debt relief, on and on. That’s more than single issue, Margaret. So I’m not sure what you’re doing
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
And honestly, if you aren’t familiar with her how can you claim to know where *most* of her supporters are from? When you didn’t know where she’s been? Tone is absent online, Margaret, but I’m not being crappy - I mean this kindly. Who are you supporting, then? Aren’t we all against Collins here?
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Well, it seemed odd that you asked something me something very specific and then completely disregarded the answer. Not a “oh, I see,” or “that’s interesting, I didn’t know that.” But it’s ok. You just went into “she’s toxic” without backing it up. It just feels weird, but maybe you don’t see it
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
How am I acting? I’m having a genuine, good faith exchange with you. And you’re still throwing accusations around that are nameless. Sure, some of her supporters are from elsewhere. But there’s a lot in Maine that approve when they get to hear her. Same thing Platner supports say - go hear him!
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
I suspect everything that matters to you politically, she cares about. How much of her have you really looked in to? Genuinely. Does she hold an ideal or position that really offends you? Or are you mad that she stands up for herself and asks for fair treatment? We’re on the same side, Margaret.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
But you tried to trap me somehow with where she’s been. Then didn’t acknowledge it. Ok. Goalpost shifted to something you can’t name. Ok. It’s all fine, obviously. But it sounds odd, honestly. There’s no spoiler, she’s working hard, I don’t see toxicity but she’s no doormat. I think that irks some
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Well, I’m not sure you & I share the same definition of toxic, Margaret. When you figure out what’s “not right” about her, come back & tell me. I can articulate everything wrong w/other candidates. It sounds like messenger matters more than message to you. ok. We’re allowed to see it different.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Yes, I live here - I am in Maine. And she goes anywhere that will have her and allow her to speak to Maine voters. Arundel, Fryeburg, Bangor, Bucksport, Presque Isle, Augusta, just to name some. But she’s said she’s willing to go anywhere but many county democratic groups try to push her aside.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Yeah! Her town halls are informative, laid back, personal, well-worth it! And that’s an excellent podcast interview you’ve linked, too! Agreed!
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
I’ve written hundreds of posts promoting LaFlamme, and as a result I’ve read even more about the candidates. It’s interesting that only recently have I noticed similar verbiage to what I’ve been posting ad nauseam. I recognize my own cadence, but your miles may vary, of course.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
I hope you don’t mind the sudden rush of comments, but when I saw that you had responded that they were two more options and that they should both be ranked ahead of Graham, I wanted to share that there are three and that if you had a moment you would see why she is number one of them all.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Agreed! When Mills dropped out Andrea‘s site & activity skyrocketed. She tried to get both to have a debate and they’ve all refused, including Graham. At least there’s a precedent: another woman in a Northern state ran for a Senate seat against her party’s support. Lisa Murkowski won as write in!
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
It’s been fun(ny) watching the Costello team take a lot of what’s been working for @andrealaflamme.bsky.social in her constant drive to reach Maine voters. He’s kind, but showing little desire to campaign lately, while LaFlamme has been busting her hutt going all over the state to speak with voters.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Yeah, this is expected from a campaign that couldn’t properly vet someone that most of us would see red flags on just by having lunch with them. His saying ‘the NYT is lying, it’s all lies, don’t believe her…’ sounds oddly familiar from another guy elevated too highly into power he shouldn’t have.
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Mr Scher, I wish you’d seen Andrea LaFlamme’s campaign sooner. Though you recently commented that Maine has 2 other options & should be ranked ahead of Platner, truth is there’s a 3rd Dem running. She has an amazing story and has had to run as a right in. She polls ahead of David Costello constantly
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Hi, Nichole! No worries. Your advocacy and support means a lot to Andrea. I appreciate it and all your time and efforts sharing info about her, propping her up, all of it. As a fan anyway, it’s awesome, but now I’m a super fan!
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Shane Leonard @shanes.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
“Dear God it does not matter what happened.” Translates into what happened only matters when I claim it matters because I don’t understand there’s more than one way to be a viable candidate. Ballot *AND* write-in candidacy thru the Secretary of State’s process.
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