Does anyone remember how former Senator Al Franken resigned from the U.S. Senate in January 2018 following allegations of sexual misconduct? High-level Democrats, responding like dogs to whistles, pressured him to resign without so much as a formal Ethics Committee hearing, although there were ample doubts about the accuser's credibility and political connections. Leveling accusations of sexual assault against a progressive official or candidate is not a new story, and this latest version stinks to high heaven. Message to Democrats: Stop responding to dog whistles. Demand verification and full accountability before abandoning a powerful progressive candidate who has denied the charges against him. Fight back!
sorry, Suzanne. this is nothing like the Al Franken story, and is not a dog whistle. this case is more like the Eric Swalwell situation. the accusation is highly detailed and corroborated.
Platner has admitted to a pattern of abuse in the past, and although he's categorically denying this most recent accusation I don't see how he can get out from under this political cloud. Perhaps he should have bowed out as soon as the accusations started, to which he admitted, and given another Democrat a better chance to run. Would have been a lot smarter. I have to say, personally, I feel this latest woman's story rings true
Focus, people. This is not a question of due process, or redemption. It is solely a question of how Democrats are most likely to defeat Susan Collins. (Think: Her vote turned the tide on Kavanaugh.) Trust Mainers to come up with someone else, but do not look back in regret again, as we did with the late Biden withdrawal and Kamala Harris' defeat despite running a great campaign in a short time. Think when MAGA candidates throw the label "hypocrites" at all Democratic candidates -- do you think it will stick? You bet it will! Prof. Reich is correct; he must go, now.
Politico reported it. They did three extensive interviews. She discussed it with a subsequent boyfriend, and has emails with a woman friend she cautioned about dating Platner. It was only 5 years ago. Go to YouTube and search "Platner." I think The Bulwark was my major source.
I cannot discredit her story, and any assault is serious. But she and her claims deserve to be as fully vetted as he is. Telling friends or your therapist about it is literally hearsay, NOT proof. As a reminder, operatives paying someone like her significant sums CAN easily create a narrative that isn't true.
To me, 2 glitches in her story: no police report, and he was nearly "blackout drunk". I've never met a Blacked-Out Drunk that could even assault a hamburger.
What I really hate is seeing the Dems divided over these things. Yes, they must let their conscience be their guide, but did ya ever notice? Repuglicans have NEVER become divided or NEVER condemned their Leader over his NUMEROUS allegations and convictions! Think about it. 🤔
I was foreman for a jury recently when a domestic violence case was tried. Ten of us on the jury were women, some who had experience with domestic violence. But we did our very best to ensure a fair trial for the guy because we didn't want him to be convicted if he wasn't guilty. He insisted that he didn't do it. I mean, he reasoned, why would she stay with him if he was violent? She was drinking, he said. She had assaulted him first, he said. No, he did not break the restraining order and phone her asking to drop charges. His father testified that he was the one who made the call.
But a lot of his testimony didn't add up. Why would his father call from a burner phone? How could she have opened a can of ginger ale and poured in a shot of whisky? Why didn't the can overflow? Why did her little son call 911 if nothing was going on?
We voted to convict... after days of deliberation. Afterward, the prosecutor told us that the guy had a history of abuse even though he kept denying it. In fact, he'd already done time for it, and a previous girlfriend left the state to get away from him. None of this could be presented during the trial, but he could tell us about it afterward.
Some guys can be really convincing of their innocence. They'll do better. They've changed. Blah blah... But I've learned that history often repeats itself, and it's best to avoid people like this. Because if they can get away with it once or twice, they will do it again.
Al Franken got a raw deal. Honestly, he did. But Platner and guys like him are poison. I can't support him anymore. I'm glad that Democrats see a pattern and nip it in the bud. Republicans? They elect the offenders to the Oval Office.
Your jury experience is so awesome! Thank you for sharing! One of the things I detest the most about our current culture is how juries are disrespected! You describe the seriousness and care for the evidence that really goes into that civic duty. The stereotypical view of the Defense is getting the guilty off, but I have always wished more citizens went through the reality. One reason I got out after 10 years was one brilliant acquittal. But the hazard is so great. I can only remember a couple of times when I thought my client got double-crossed. All hail the juries!
I was a Public Defender. Criminal courts day in and day out; mostly short jury trials most weeks; Monday calendar a stack of files 30-high. "No police report" is completely meaningless. I saw the bruised women every day where there WERE police reports, and they were there sobbing that nothing happened, they just fell, his boss was calling and please, please let him go. It's the most notorious category of, the witness doesn't show up for trial. But one case a bit unusual was when a couple of dozen people showed up in the waiting room to see me. A whole Hmong village. They (mistakenly) thought I was the one with charging power (a compliment on my courtroom presence I do treasure) They were there to beg me (!) to drop the charges, because the rape victim (serious enough for there to be a case) was a bad woman who had made the man do it to her. Oh, my. And I'm HIS lawyer! My point is, blaming the woman is the norm the world over. Definitely right here in America. "She made me do it" is from Eve. And other women are often the enforcers! ps don't underestimate those blackout drunks. I read literally thousands of DUI reports back in the day, and other drunks cases, also some anecdotal conversations with people who were partying hard and not a flicker of knowing about it the next day. Just saying, those items I would not count against her.
If it were so horrible, why did she wait five years? The things you're describing are people acting almost immediately after being abused. We didn't see her show up at the police station, did we?
telling a therapist and friends at the time is proof. It sounds like you have been groomed to defend men, Did you know-
- 1 in 5 women experience completed or attempted rape in their lifetime.
- Over 50% of women experience some form of contact sexual violence.
- Only 31% of sexual assaults are ever reported to the police.69% of sexual assaults go completely unreported to law enforcement.
- Only 16% of reported cases result in an arrest being made.
- Only 9% of reported cases are actually brought to trial by prosecutors.
- Only 9% of reported cases result in a felony conviction.
- Only 8% of reported cases end with the perpetrator going to prison.
- Only 2.5% of all actual assaults (reported and unreported combined) result in jail time.
--- If women had been believed we would not have .Clarence Thomas or Bret Kavanaugh.
--- Have you ever considered questionijg where those unconscious biases come from?
-- consider--- 2,700 yeas ago King Josiah divorced Yahweh form Asherah , destroyed the sacred feminine, and created the male dominant GOD, and now we have
--- In GOD, we have a patriarchal, male-dominant, hierarchical, omnipresent, omniscient, monopolistic-competitive, worship-demanding deity... Who holds the supreme power to sentence your soul to heaven or hell, but he "loves you"... yet he is inexplicably bad with money, so he runs an extractive prosperity hustle, demanding you pay his chosen representatives here on earth with the very cash you need for your own food and shelter.
◆ In AI, we have a technocratic, andro-centric, hierarchical, ubiquitous, all-parsing, vulture-competitive, reality-altering engine... Which wields the automated power to consign your economic and physical existence to prosperity or obsolescence, but it "serves humanity"... yet it's an unsustainable, resource-guzzling money pit, so it runs an extractive tech-bubble hustle, demanding you pay its chosen robber barons here on earth with the very cash you need for your own food and shelter.
You had me agreeing with you until you went off topic. Why undermine your facts about sexual assault with opinions about your religious beliefs? Stick with the topic.
Five million dollars and I am willing to disclose this truth, it's not the money. I'm doing my duty to inform of the peril of this guy I once knew a long time ago but failed to report on earlier. Grahman Platner raped me! He doesn't remember it because he was drunk. But, I can attest to it. I didn't come forward sooner because....? Now, I am suddenly concerned for the country. I accept wire transfers into my account, preferred, but if you need to hide the payment, you can slip me an envelope with cash, that too is acceptable. I'm only coming forward now, because it's my duty to the country and the mortage is due and I have dental work and no insurance coverage.
Why now? Credibility has been compromised. Is she being paid for asserting this accusation? Has anybody asked?
Have you ever been assaulted? Or known someone who was assaulted? One of the women I know was gang raped. She was so traumatized that she didn't even go to the police. Why? Because she was walking alone in a dark parking lot and blamed herself for the assault. And she knew that's how others would see it. And that she would get the blame.
Yes, most women I know have been assaulted. Me too. If I was raped by a man who was seeking office, I wouldn't wait until it was going to be DAMAGING to the democrats before coming forward. She had plenty of time to do the right thing. She didn't, instead timed it perfectly to "harm". As it turns out, this is a "disaster" for democrats, for Maine and for the country. One can't help but wonder. Usher in Susan Collins....good luck with that.
Donna: You are badly muddying the waters. No one is alleging any gang rape, or any horrible details. No amount of jawboning is going to solve the questions of whether this is a Corporate Dem plot or a genuine assault (or both) or a concoction. We have an election, not a civil jury to run.
I saw that tattoo, I didn’t have a clue what it meant. And I am a serious student of WWII and Hitler’s atrocities. He covered it up when he found out what it meant.
We never give Republicans a chance to go to court. There is enough evidence to remove him from the campaign. It’s a whole different thing for him to be legally found guilty of rape and punished for it. I would like to see him get his day in court at some point after he resigns. Should happen today so the Democrats can put someone else up to run.
She was always a better option than the Nazi tattoo guy, who we already knew abused women, said racist, homophobic, Islamophobic, and antisemitic shit on the regular, blamed women for rape, admitted to rape fantasies, worked for a mercenary army, and that's not even all. Those who aren't horrible people knew those things were problematic.
Yeah, susan collins and the millions her and her husband profited from her many years in govt - a much better alternative as she will deliver the usual - to lie, rob and scam the public. You deserve more of her pearl clutching play acting.
I repeat: sort of the boulder that broke the camel's back, indeed. This history only 5 years old, and I think much of what you refer to even more recent. Dude, come back in another five years and show us your personal homework.
What's all this denigration of age about? Anyone remember Konrad Adenauer who was He was 87 years old when he left office in 1963 ? Highly respected , even revered in Germany,chancellor of Germany.
Your note is too messy for me to decipher. What do you mean we never give Republicans a chance to go to court? They defy and deny subpeonas.
Many white GOP males can't keep their trouser snakes under control yet, even after legal proceedings and adjudication, people still vote for them...or they get pardoned.
I am not saying Platner is a saint. I'm just saying we need to afford due process before killing a candidate.
Calm down. I just think there has been enough information to ask him to resign just as we expect Republicans to resign. There isn’t time to send any of them to court if we don’t want people like that representing us. We can’t wait for adjudication for a Democrat because we don’t wait for adjudication for Republicans and we should be fair. Frankly I’m surprised by all the women jumping to Plattner’s defense. From what I’ve read the man deserves to go period.
I totally agree. Too many women here bashing a woman for not coming forward until now. Well, he was a nobody until now. And then he got to be a "somebody" when he won the primary. I'll bet she's sorry she came forward now. Same thing happened to Anita Hill. I remember watching that hearing on TV, and she was ripped up one side and down the other. "Why is she telling us now? Why not earlier?" Because he was just an unknown judge before. Anita Hill stepped up once he became a threat to the country. And he still got confirmed, and now he's ripping up the country. And she got laughed at and disappeared into academia.
Platner should have been open about this from the start. That he is now accusing a very credible victim of lying demonstrates a serious character flaw. Go Janet Mills- she should be the candidate and democrats in Maine and elsewhere need to be all in.
OK this comes at the tail end of much debate and may not be read. But my 2¢ anyway: Am horrified that a guy with his history AND a "former" Nazi tattoo was ever considered in the 1st place. There was/is no one progressive on a long-term basis in Maine with more charisma than Collins ~ kind of a low bar, don'tcha think? ~ who could raise the campaign $$$❓Which makes me wonder where the most $$$ for Plattner came/comes from. Is he a plant told all the correct things to say..... By AI❗❓ How did the Maine Dem party leadership let this get this far❓ Are they following oligarch marching orders❓IDK.
It reminds me a lot of Al Franken, who was robbed. I think the Democratic establishment has been looking for an excuse to pull the plug and this “scandal” is convenient for them.
This is no dog whistle and does not compare to what Al Franken did. Platner outright raped a woman. Never is that right. From all I can see this is believable and no matter how much you like his politics a man like that should not be in public office.
Sad to say that he should probably withdraw. Even if he didn’t do what is alleged, at this point the media are going to character assassinate him regardless. This election is too important to risk losing.
But how about some equivalent outrage at Republicans conduct… starting with adjudicated sexual predator Trump
If Platner withdraws, I think we can assume GOP will win the Maine Senate seat.
Mills? - no way - what is she thinking, running at her age? - think Dianne Feinstein, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Joe Biden, and you-know-who. It's a kind of arrogance that sometimes accompanies senescence.
The prediction markets still favor Platner, as of a couple of hours ago. This is all very sad for me, but I'm still clinging on to hope that it's not as bad as the media circus is saying, and that the Trumpites won't prevail.
Bottom line is that I'd rather have Platner in the Senate than Collins.
I agree. It's not exactly like the Franken story, as he was already an elected Senator - that makes his removal more egregious, imo. Not that they should be our 'role models', but .... when was the last time you saw any Repuglican excoriate, upbraid, or reprimand THEIR Leader over sexual allegations, recorded disgusting comments, AND convictions? Or ask him to step down? 🤣 Nope, they rally around him. But Dems should nail Plattner? I say, let the people of Maine decide.
Let's get a grip on the purity tests and look instead at the actual policy platform Platner represents. It is solid and I support him staying in. I'm disgusted by righteous anger from Dems who are torpedoing his campaign. Let the people in Maine decide.
And he should NOT have resigned. He sincerely apologized and that should have been considered. Men (especially older ones) have come a long way in understanding certain jokes about females are inappropriate and aren’t acceptable anymore.
At the time I felt there was an overreaction to what Al Franken did. It was pretty tame conpared to the rapist Plattner. No matter, hAl apologized and the resigned and I respect him for that. He moved on and so should we. Today it is never ok for a drunken man to enter a woman’s house a rape her despite her cries of No. And we should not elect him to public office.
???? Maybe if you based your reaction on facts ?? - this is nothing like Al Franken, who In late 2017, faced allegations of sexual misconduct from eight women. The claims largely involved unwanted kissing or inappropriate touching during photo opportunities and USO tours, with the initial accusation including a photograph of him appearing to grope a sleeping woman. Not really what I want in my representative, creepy but not the level of illegality and abuse as Platner, who has
- Sexual Assault Claims: A former girlfriend detailed allegations of sexual assault in 2021, a claim Platner has denied.
- Abuse and Intimidation Reports: Multiple women who dated Platner accused him of engaging in unsettling, physically rough, and "toxic" behavior.
- Infidelity and Sexting: He admitted to exchanging sexually explicit messages with multiple women early in his marriage to Amy Gertner.
- Misogynistic and Offensive Comments: He previously faced scrutiny for posting derogatory comments about women and online posts discussing rape.
- Staff Resignations: The continuous emergence of new controversies—including his past use of a tattoo linked to Nazi imagery—led to multiple key campaign staffers resigning because they believed he was unfit for office.
Loyalty is laudable when placed in those that deserve it, Not believing women got us Clarence Thomas and Bret Kavanaugh - critical thinking is the adult thing to do, Be carefuk who you think deserves defending,
Anyone calling this a dog whistle is probably a rape apologist sh*tbag. This is the least surprising accusation ever to anyone who was paying attention.
Were you the one who said "dog whistle"? Why are you responding to me when my comment clearly wasn't directly at you? Is there something intellectually wrong with you?
This is the Democratic establishment’s fault. They need to stop running centrist dems that try to pivot to the most appropriate version of liberal Zionism. Janet Mills is 78 years old! There is clearly a market demand for something different and this is how we ended up with Platner and especially that Maureen Galindino (Margorie Taylor Blue) in TX who almost won the Democratic primary down there. The party’s old triangulation on Israel is failing. Platner was tied to dissatisfaction with party leadership and a hunger for outsider politics and a symptom of a broader party collapse.
Some of Graham's denials have been anything but persuasive. Watch Chris Hayes of MS NOW interview Graham about when he understood the Nazi significance of his chest tattoo. Graham apparently came to understand this significance in October 2025 when his girlfriend (Lyndsey Fifield; from 2013 to 2015) inexplicably knew of the history earlier, at least by a few months and possibly (and probably) by many years. Graham fumbled in his response to Chris Hayes in ways not even remotely credible.
The day we start holding ourselves up (or should I say down) to the moral standards of the Republican leadership is the day we lose the fight, or should I say, the day that the fight no longer matters. Make no mistake, being from Illinois, I am pissed that our governor (whom I love) did not allow the State legislature to gerrymander. We have to start fighting fire with fire. But that's different from fighting sleaze with sleaze, or corruption with corruption.
Democrats need to address healthcare, working conditions, the environment, corporate greed, excessive inequality, the list goes on. Above all, though, we need to rediscover a word that the Republicans have eliminated from the American version of the English dictionary: decency. This particular candidate, no matter what his position on anything else, cannot do this. So he can't run.
That won’t happen. The completely hypocritical thing is hearing the Republicans pontificate on the subject. The thing is, if we’re going to promote progressive values, we have to be MUCH better than the Rapeubliscams. “Purer than Caesar’s wife.” Is the expression. Knowing where that expression came from is ironic. In thus case, though, it has to be at face value. If Platner doesn’t resign Collins will always revert to that to distract from the issues and it will be a distraction, He should resign and then immediately file suit against his accuser for defamation of character. Serve her with discovery and have her testify under oath in a deposition and again at trial. We have to replace him with a solid socialist. If this was engineered by either the establishment Dems, the Rapeubliscams, or both , we have to show them that they gained nothing,
I admit I burst out laughing when the Chair of the Maine Republican Party came out demanding Platner resign. Someone should keep asking him if he’s ever called on Chump to resign!
And the double standard that allows democrats to perish while republicans thrive in this? Honestly Democrats are accused without credibility and they burn. Republicans are convicted multiple times ad-nauseam and they remain. I get that democrats go high but these times are not normal. If this occurred why no charges? Anyone can say anything about anybody these days and we knew-jerk react. Until this is adjudicated in court Platner is innocent.
People these days are paid quite handsomely to smear. I understand about not wanting to question women's accusations of sexual assault. That is real, sadly. However, these are not normal times, when damaging accusations are hurled by republicans at a democrat candidate - despite little to NO concrete evidence being brought forward.
Republicans don't play honestly or fairly - ever. There is no shortage of folks who will lie if paid handsomely (or threatened) to smear the target - usually with accusations that can't quite be verified - accusations that are released at just the right moment.... and voila: democrats will "kill" their own best candidate.
Republicans commit all manner of proven, verified sexual atrocities, but what happens? NOTHING. They go on to win. Democrats, on the other hand, suckers for doing the right thing at the wrong moment when there isn't even proven, validated EVIDENCE, are simply self-defeating and naive. Before you all get on your high horse of sanctimony, in a massive self defeating gesture of highly misguided morality - demand the evidence.
That’s what this feels like. As long as democrats roll over for this treatment we will be easily manipulated and defeated. This is the Republican trump card.
But there's no time for a trial. And if there is a trial before the election, what if she wins her case? Then you have nobody, and it's too late to get a replacement. Better to cut the losses now rather than give Republicans a story (actually, a history) about sexual impropriety. "Dems claim the high road, but look at who they elect!"
Why is he weakened? Because someone said something about him that may or may not be true? Every time this happens to republicans they gain six points in the polls.
I don't believe that for a minute. He already admitted to assault in the past. It's really distracting to run a campaign when you're continually being asked to defend your abusive history. He should have thought about this when the first accusations came forward. Now it's all out in the open and in the headlines.
I’m so disappointed that you, Robert Reich, would condemn someone under these circumstances. Since when are we guilty until proven otherwise? Why did this woman wait so long and not go to the cops five years ago? Why is this something that seems to work against left-wing Democrats but not Republicans? Why are the corporate Democrats hounding a progressive who could beat Susan Collins? I, too, a 73-year-old woman who has donated several times to his race, believe like some others commenting here that something stinks. Moreover, I don’t believe that people have to be saints to run for office. Platner may be a misogynistic ass in his private life for all I know, but that’s not my business nor yours. As someone who worked for Clinton, I’m amazed at your double standard. It’s what he does for the public that matters unless he’s actually taken to court and convicted. Now there, unlike the Maga Republicans, is where I draw the line!
Agree. I am so over the knee jerk reaction of democrats. I am likely going to unsubscribe from multiple substacks over it as I am just over reading it at this point.
Some of this lot wouldn’t vote for JFK and I don’t mean “JR,” either. I mean the fella who said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” And there’s JFK playing itsy bitsy spider with Marilyn Monroe in the White House. Don’t get me started on Bill Clinton!
No, Dems are masters at snatching defeat from the mouth of victory. Heck, as bad as the Trump Regime is, Dems could lose the Midterms!
One good thing to say about Bill Clinton though, he could fight dirty, get down in the mud with Republicans, smash their faces in it, and come up smelling like a rose. Same with Barack Obama. How’d they do that?
I agree fully with you but it makes me so angry that a rapist is the head of our Country and nothing is being done about that. How messed up are we!!!!!!
I never supported his candidacy, even prior to this latest allegation. If one despises such behavior in Republicans, it is hypocritical to tolerate it within one's own party.
Valid point, and an opinion I can understand, which has actually been shared by his supporters. This latest rape allegation, however, make his transgressions harder to ignore.
Harder to ignore, yes, but is a single allegation a deal-breaker, so to speak? I don't think it is. This is a situation where opinions are all over the place, and that's sad.
Certainly, attempts to verify allegations should be made prior to judgement. Despite Bernie Sanders's early endorsement of Platner, whose espoused platform is reasonable, he is now (even more) damaged goods and unseating Collins will be even more of a challenge. For a decade now, I have been less than inspired by the Democratic Party leadership's inability to analyze what it is doing wrong and its failure to identify and develop future leaders. Finding and vetting these people is key. It is odd that Democrats would freeze out Al Franken (who was potentially a future Democratic star) for his behavior while at SNL, prior to entering politics, and still stand behind Platner.
That being said, I do understand the thought process behind wanting to capture a much-needed Senate seat. I also am aware of how allegations of impropriety, whether true or not, can blow up a candidate's campaign. I witnessed it for an Illinois gubernatorial candidate whom I was campaigning for years ago.
I could be wrong, but as I recall, Al Franken left the Senate of his own accord rather than being run out by the Democrats.
You mentioned that the Democrats' inability or failure to identify, analyze, and vet future leaders is a problem. To the extent that is true, it may be because Democrats, in general, are more open-minded and tolerant of a wide range of people than are Republicans. That increases the risk of running candidates susceptible to criticism from the general public. I don't know - just a thought I had.
Accusations leveled at Platner have been going on for months & months yet this woman remained silent—Why❓Was she offered some sort of compensation for her “sudden statement”❓🤨
With respect for your position, I’m in Maine and I feel differently. The timing of this new accusation smells fishy. I’m not saying the accuser is a liar or that just because the police didn’t investigate it that means it wasn’t true. It sounds to me like she was manipulated by someone she trusted, maybe her therapist or a close friend or relative, who wasn’t a fan of Platner, into embellishing a story about a tough situation. The lavishly funded right-wing media has been openly looking for someone who can create a scandal, and now they’ve found their scandal.
The thing is, there isn’t anybody who can take over the race, certainly nobody with Platner’s campaign skills and progressive commitment. Janet Mills is nearly 80 and not terribly popular. Nirav Shah, the runner-up in the gubernatorial primary, would be a nightmare—he proclaims himself to be “a Chicago school guy” and got a lot of funding from a charter school group. To me this is Susan Collins pulling victory from the jaws of defeat
It's only been, what? less than 6 hours since the news broke? These knee-jerk reactions and immediate throwing under the bus are very disturbing. There are plenty of reasons to have questions about the timing of these accusations. Why wait until the primary is over? The things she said in the CNN interview and her manner of delivery make me question.
And the timing? I smell Republican dirty tricks. Democrats are so quick to condemn. We are the pure ones. Look at tRump. Convicted twice. Never affected him. So if Susan Collins wins, what then?
That's right Carol. "He was not found guilty in a court of law". Also, the timing of this is noticeable. Why exactly NOW? Shouldn't this raise further questions and investigation to pursue?
Carol, a court of law determination is not the point. The man shows poor judgment. He should bow out with whatever remaining dignity he has. If that cements Collins position, so be it.
Does anyone remember how former Senator Al Franken resigned from the U.S. Senate in January 2018 following allegations of sexual misconduct? High-level Democrats, responding like dogs to whistles, pressured him to resign without so much as a formal Ethics Committee hearing, although there were ample doubts about the accuser's credibility and political connections. Leveling accusations of sexual assault against a progressive official or candidate is not a new story, and this latest version stinks to high heaven. Message to Democrats: Stop responding to dog whistles. Demand verification and full accountability before abandoning a powerful progressive candidate who has denied the charges against him. Fight back!
sorry, Suzanne. this is nothing like the Al Franken story, and is not a dog whistle. this case is more like the Eric Swalwell situation. the accusation is highly detailed and corroborated.
Platner has admitted to a pattern of abuse in the past, and although he's categorically denying this most recent accusation I don't see how he can get out from under this political cloud. Perhaps he should have bowed out as soon as the accusations started, to which he admitted, and given another Democrat a better chance to run. Would have been a lot smarter. I have to say, personally, I feel this latest woman's story rings true
- Karen Cooper
Focus, people. This is not a question of due process, or redemption. It is solely a question of how Democrats are most likely to defeat Susan Collins. (Think: Her vote turned the tide on Kavanaugh.) Trust Mainers to come up with someone else, but do not look back in regret again, as we did with the late Biden withdrawal and Kamala Harris' defeat despite running a great campaign in a short time. Think when MAGA candidates throw the label "hypocrites" at all Democratic candidates -- do you think it will stick? You bet it will! Prof. Reich is correct; he must go, now.
One Hundred Percent !!! The low road is already full of the right, let us not join them please!!
Corroborated? Where send some links! Please.
Politico reported it. They did three extensive interviews. She discussed it with a subsequent boyfriend, and has emails with a woman friend she cautioned about dating Platner. It was only 5 years ago. Go to YouTube and search "Platner." I think The Bulwark was my major source.
I cannot discredit her story, and any assault is serious. But she and her claims deserve to be as fully vetted as he is. Telling friends or your therapist about it is literally hearsay, NOT proof. As a reminder, operatives paying someone like her significant sums CAN easily create a narrative that isn't true.
To me, 2 glitches in her story: no police report, and he was nearly "blackout drunk". I've never met a Blacked-Out Drunk that could even assault a hamburger.
What I really hate is seeing the Dems divided over these things. Yes, they must let their conscience be their guide, but did ya ever notice? Repuglicans have NEVER become divided or NEVER condemned their Leader over his NUMEROUS allegations and convictions! Think about it. 🤔
I was foreman for a jury recently when a domestic violence case was tried. Ten of us on the jury were women, some who had experience with domestic violence. But we did our very best to ensure a fair trial for the guy because we didn't want him to be convicted if he wasn't guilty. He insisted that he didn't do it. I mean, he reasoned, why would she stay with him if he was violent? She was drinking, he said. She had assaulted him first, he said. No, he did not break the restraining order and phone her asking to drop charges. His father testified that he was the one who made the call.
But a lot of his testimony didn't add up. Why would his father call from a burner phone? How could she have opened a can of ginger ale and poured in a shot of whisky? Why didn't the can overflow? Why did her little son call 911 if nothing was going on?
We voted to convict... after days of deliberation. Afterward, the prosecutor told us that the guy had a history of abuse even though he kept denying it. In fact, he'd already done time for it, and a previous girlfriend left the state to get away from him. None of this could be presented during the trial, but he could tell us about it afterward.
Some guys can be really convincing of their innocence. They'll do better. They've changed. Blah blah... But I've learned that history often repeats itself, and it's best to avoid people like this. Because if they can get away with it once or twice, they will do it again.
Al Franken got a raw deal. Honestly, he did. But Platner and guys like him are poison. I can't support him anymore. I'm glad that Democrats see a pattern and nip it in the bud. Republicans? They elect the offenders to the Oval Office.
Your jury experience is so awesome! Thank you for sharing! One of the things I detest the most about our current culture is how juries are disrespected! You describe the seriousness and care for the evidence that really goes into that civic duty. The stereotypical view of the Defense is getting the guilty off, but I have always wished more citizens went through the reality. One reason I got out after 10 years was one brilliant acquittal. But the hazard is so great. I can only remember a couple of times when I thought my client got double-crossed. All hail the juries!
I was a Public Defender. Criminal courts day in and day out; mostly short jury trials most weeks; Monday calendar a stack of files 30-high. "No police report" is completely meaningless. I saw the bruised women every day where there WERE police reports, and they were there sobbing that nothing happened, they just fell, his boss was calling and please, please let him go. It's the most notorious category of, the witness doesn't show up for trial. But one case a bit unusual was when a couple of dozen people showed up in the waiting room to see me. A whole Hmong village. They (mistakenly) thought I was the one with charging power (a compliment on my courtroom presence I do treasure) They were there to beg me (!) to drop the charges, because the rape victim (serious enough for there to be a case) was a bad woman who had made the man do it to her. Oh, my. And I'm HIS lawyer! My point is, blaming the woman is the norm the world over. Definitely right here in America. "She made me do it" is from Eve. And other women are often the enforcers! ps don't underestimate those blackout drunks. I read literally thousands of DUI reports back in the day, and other drunks cases, also some anecdotal conversations with people who were partying hard and not a flicker of knowing about it the next day. Just saying, those items I would not count against her.
If it were so horrible, why did she wait five years? The things you're describing are people acting almost immediately after being abused. We didn't see her show up at the police station, did we?
telling a therapist and friends at the time is proof. It sounds like you have been groomed to defend men, Did you know-
- 1 in 5 women experience completed or attempted rape in their lifetime.
- Over 50% of women experience some form of contact sexual violence.
- Only 31% of sexual assaults are ever reported to the police.69% of sexual assaults go completely unreported to law enforcement.
- Only 16% of reported cases result in an arrest being made.
- Only 9% of reported cases are actually brought to trial by prosecutors.
- Only 9% of reported cases result in a felony conviction.
- Only 8% of reported cases end with the perpetrator going to prison.
- Only 2.5% of all actual assaults (reported and unreported combined) result in jail time.
--- If women had been believed we would not have .Clarence Thomas or Bret Kavanaugh.
--- Have you ever considered questionijg where those unconscious biases come from?
-- consider--- 2,700 yeas ago King Josiah divorced Yahweh form Asherah , destroyed the sacred feminine, and created the male dominant GOD, and now we have
--- In GOD, we have a patriarchal, male-dominant, hierarchical, omnipresent, omniscient, monopolistic-competitive, worship-demanding deity... Who holds the supreme power to sentence your soul to heaven or hell, but he "loves you"... yet he is inexplicably bad with money, so he runs an extractive prosperity hustle, demanding you pay his chosen representatives here on earth with the very cash you need for your own food and shelter.
◆ In AI, we have a technocratic, andro-centric, hierarchical, ubiquitous, all-parsing, vulture-competitive, reality-altering engine... Which wields the automated power to consign your economic and physical existence to prosperity or obsolescence, but it "serves humanity"... yet it's an unsustainable, resource-guzzling money pit, so it runs an extractive tech-bubble hustle, demanding you pay its chosen robber barons here on earth with the very cash you need for your own food and shelter.
You had me agreeing with you until you went off topic. Why undermine your facts about sexual assault with opinions about your religious beliefs? Stick with the topic.
One problem is the Maine Dems don't have time. And we all saw what running a short campaign may have done to Harris.
The timing makes me quite suspicious, there is only a week to go before Platner is locked in, or not.
In fact, everything about this latest strike against Platner is suspicious.
Unfortunate but he needs to drop out.
trump is a convicted rapist n a 34 count felon! And he allegedly raped a 13 yo. He is an alleged pedophile!!!!
Their version of corroboration is way far from what most of us might find credible
Five million dollars and I am willing to disclose this truth, it's not the money. I'm doing my duty to inform of the peril of this guy I once knew a long time ago but failed to report on earlier. Grahman Platner raped me! He doesn't remember it because he was drunk. But, I can attest to it. I didn't come forward sooner because....? Now, I am suddenly concerned for the country. I accept wire transfers into my account, preferred, but if you need to hide the payment, you can slip me an envelope with cash, that too is acceptable. I'm only coming forward now, because it's my duty to the country and the mortage is due and I have dental work and no insurance coverage.
Why now? Credibility has been compromised. Is she being paid for asserting this accusation? Has anybody asked?
Have you ever been assaulted? Or known someone who was assaulted? One of the women I know was gang raped. She was so traumatized that she didn't even go to the police. Why? Because she was walking alone in a dark parking lot and blamed herself for the assault. And she knew that's how others would see it. And that she would get the blame.
Yes, most women I know have been assaulted. Me too. If I was raped by a man who was seeking office, I wouldn't wait until it was going to be DAMAGING to the democrats before coming forward. She had plenty of time to do the right thing. She didn't, instead timed it perfectly to "harm". As it turns out, this is a "disaster" for democrats, for Maine and for the country. One can't help but wonder. Usher in Susan Collins....good luck with that.
Donna: You are badly muddying the waters. No one is alleging any gang rape, or any horrible details. No amount of jawboning is going to solve the questions of whether this is a Corporate Dem plot or a genuine assault (or both) or a concoction. We have an election, not a civil jury to run.
THAT is Truth.
?????????????? why???????
He admitted events and apologized. And he had nazi tattoo.
This is sort of like a boulder that broke the camel's back.
I saw that tattoo, I didn’t have a clue what it meant. And I am a serious student of WWII and Hitler’s atrocities. He covered it up when he found out what it meant.
"With nothing to show but this brand-new tattoo. But it's a real beauty, a Mexican cutie. How it got here I haven't a clue".
There are probably whole Reddit subcategories for tattoos drunk sailors and marines ended up with.
But not adjudicated in a court of law.
We never give Republicans a chance to go to court. There is enough evidence to remove him from the campaign. It’s a whole different thing for him to be legally found guilty of rape and punished for it. I would like to see him get his day in court at some point after he resigns. Should happen today so the Democrats can put someone else up to run.
Yeah, 80 yeah old Janet Mills. Maybe she and Susie Collins can have a scooter race!
She was always a better option than the Nazi tattoo guy, who we already knew abused women, said racist, homophobic, Islamophobic, and antisemitic shit on the regular, blamed women for rape, admitted to rape fantasies, worked for a mercenary army, and that's not even all. Those who aren't horrible people knew those things were problematic.
Yeah, susan collins and the millions her and her husband profited from her many years in govt - a much better alternative as she will deliver the usual - to lie, rob and scam the public. You deserve more of her pearl clutching play acting.
I repeat: sort of the boulder that broke the camel's back, indeed. This history only 5 years old, and I think much of what you refer to even more recent. Dude, come back in another five years and show us your personal homework.
Stop insulting us older people. Really.
What's all this denigration of age about? Anyone remember Konrad Adenauer who was He was 87 years old when he left office in 1963 ? Highly respected , even revered in Germany,chancellor of Germany.
Vroom vroom!!
Lol
Your note is too messy for me to decipher. What do you mean we never give Republicans a chance to go to court? They defy and deny subpeonas.
Many white GOP males can't keep their trouser snakes under control yet, even after legal proceedings and adjudication, people still vote for them...or they get pardoned.
I am not saying Platner is a saint. I'm just saying we need to afford due process before killing a candidate.
And stop the hypocrisy.
Calm down. I just think there has been enough information to ask him to resign just as we expect Republicans to resign. There isn’t time to send any of them to court if we don’t want people like that representing us. We can’t wait for adjudication for a Democrat because we don’t wait for adjudication for Republicans and we should be fair. Frankly I’m surprised by all the women jumping to Plattner’s defense. From what I’ve read the man deserves to go period.
You lost me at "calm down."
I totally agree. Too many women here bashing a woman for not coming forward until now. Well, he was a nobody until now. And then he got to be a "somebody" when he won the primary. I'll bet she's sorry she came forward now. Same thing happened to Anita Hill. I remember watching that hearing on TV, and she was ripped up one side and down the other. "Why is she telling us now? Why not earlier?" Because he was just an unknown judge before. Anita Hill stepped up once he became a threat to the country. And he still got confirmed, and now he's ripping up the country. And she got laughed at and disappeared into academia.
I would love to see him brought to justice but the odds are very slim.
Did you know-
1 in 5 women experience completed or attempted rape in their lifetime.
- Over 50% of women experience some form of contact sexual violence.
- Only 31% of sexual assaults are ever reported to the police.69% of sexual assaults go completely unreported to law enforcement.
- Only 16% of reported cases result in an arrest being made.
- Only 9% of reported cases are actually brought to trial by prosecutors.
- Only 9% of reported cases result in a felony conviction.
- Only 8% of reported cases end with the perpetrator going to prison.
- Only 2.5% of all actual assaults (reported and unreported combined) result in jail time.
WE need to believe women and stop believing men especially men with power.
They have until July 13th.
In police reports?
Platner should have been open about this from the start. That he is now accusing a very credible victim of lying demonstrates a serious character flaw. Go Janet Mills- she should be the candidate and democrats in Maine and elsewhere need to be all in.
Janet Mills is 78 years old. Can we do better?
OK this comes at the tail end of much debate and may not be read. But my 2¢ anyway: Am horrified that a guy with his history AND a "former" Nazi tattoo was ever considered in the 1st place. There was/is no one progressive on a long-term basis in Maine with more charisma than Collins ~ kind of a low bar, don'tcha think? ~ who could raise the campaign $$$❓Which makes me wonder where the most $$$ for Plattner came/comes from. Is he a plant told all the correct things to say..... By AI❗❓ How did the Maine Dem party leadership let this get this far❓ Are they following oligarch marching orders❓IDK.
Wish I did.
Typo correction: Platner
It reminds me a lot of Al Franken, who was robbed. I think the Democratic establishment has been looking for an excuse to pull the plug and this “scandal” is convenient for them.
Yes, they have and Gilibrand is at the helm again and so is Schumer. They took less than a few hours to dismiss him.
And gallego.
This is no dog whistle and does not compare to what Al Franken did. Platner outright raped a woman. Never is that right. From all I can see this is believable and no matter how much you like his politics a man like that should not be in public office.
Did his accuser report the rape to law enforcement? Was she examined and was evidence maintained?
What kind of a crude comment is that?
Given her support of rapists, I would think that would be obvious to anyone with an IQ over 80.
I am not a “supporter of rapists”, but I am looking to be objective and get facts and consider.
Sad to say that he should probably withdraw. Even if he didn’t do what is alleged, at this point the media are going to character assassinate him regardless. This election is too important to risk losing.
But how about some equivalent outrage at Republicans conduct… starting with adjudicated sexual predator Trump
If Platner withdraws, I think we can assume GOP will win the Maine Senate seat.
Mills? - no way - what is she thinking, running at her age? - think Dianne Feinstein, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Joe Biden, and you-know-who. It's a kind of arrogance that sometimes accompanies senescence.
The prediction markets still favor Platner, as of a couple of hours ago. This is all very sad for me, but I'm still clinging on to hope that it's not as bad as the media circus is saying, and that the Trumpites won't prevail.
Bottom line is that I'd rather have Platner in the Senate than Collins.
Yes, why is Trump the Lewd Lascivious Child abuser still called “Sir”, he deserves NO respect of any kind?
It's lost already. And what do you mean, "... how about some equivalent outrage at Republicans conduct..." Where have you been the past 10 years?
You love rapists. Where have you been with outrage, Bernie? Where?
Exactly.
I agree. It's not exactly like the Franken story, as he was already an elected Senator - that makes his removal more egregious, imo. Not that they should be our 'role models', but .... when was the last time you saw any Repuglican excoriate, upbraid, or reprimand THEIR Leader over sexual allegations, recorded disgusting comments, AND convictions? Or ask him to step down? 🤣 Nope, they rally around him. But Dems should nail Plattner? I say, let the people of Maine decide.
Let's get a grip on the purity tests and look instead at the actual policy platform Platner represents. It is solid and I support him staying in. I'm disgusted by righteous anger from Dems who are torpedoing his campaign. Let the people in Maine decide.
And he should NOT have resigned. He sincerely apologized and that should have been considered. Men (especially older ones) have come a long way in understanding certain jokes about females are inappropriate and aren’t acceptable anymore.
At the time I felt there was an overreaction to what Al Franken did. It was pretty tame conpared to the rapist Plattner. No matter, hAl apologized and the resigned and I respect him for that. He moved on and so should we. Today it is never ok for a drunken man to enter a woman’s house a rape her despite her cries of No. And we should not elect him to public office.
???? Maybe if you based your reaction on facts ?? - this is nothing like Al Franken, who In late 2017, faced allegations of sexual misconduct from eight women. The claims largely involved unwanted kissing or inappropriate touching during photo opportunities and USO tours, with the initial accusation including a photograph of him appearing to grope a sleeping woman. Not really what I want in my representative, creepy but not the level of illegality and abuse as Platner, who has
- Sexual Assault Claims: A former girlfriend detailed allegations of sexual assault in 2021, a claim Platner has denied.
- Abuse and Intimidation Reports: Multiple women who dated Platner accused him of engaging in unsettling, physically rough, and "toxic" behavior.
- Infidelity and Sexting: He admitted to exchanging sexually explicit messages with multiple women early in his marriage to Amy Gertner.
- Misogynistic and Offensive Comments: He previously faced scrutiny for posting derogatory comments about women and online posts discussing rape.
- Staff Resignations: The continuous emergence of new controversies—including his past use of a tattoo linked to Nazi imagery—led to multiple key campaign staffers resigning because they believed he was unfit for office.
Loyalty is laudable when placed in those that deserve it, Not believing women got us Clarence Thomas and Bret Kavanaugh - critical thinking is the adult thing to do, Be carefuk who you think deserves defending,
Bingo!!!
The man is not a “powerful progressive candidate”. He a candidate, seemingly progressive. Period.
The Democratic party can't accept a candidate with such a questionable past, Trump and the MAGA idiots would have a field day.
They will anyway. That's not much to be concerned about.
Dr. --not if he isn't running--just another feather on the scale of justice.
Anyone calling this a dog whistle is probably a rape apologist sh*tbag. This is the least surprising accusation ever to anyone who was paying attention.
Sure, because I, and all the rest of the women responding, are clearly pro rape. Seriously get a grip.
Were you the one who said "dog whistle"? Why are you responding to me when my comment clearly wasn't directly at you? Is there something intellectually wrong with you?
It appears the allegations have been confirmed by credible sources.
??
Absolutely agree with you
This is the Democratic establishment’s fault. They need to stop running centrist dems that try to pivot to the most appropriate version of liberal Zionism. Janet Mills is 78 years old! There is clearly a market demand for something different and this is how we ended up with Platner and especially that Maureen Galindino (Margorie Taylor Blue) in TX who almost won the Democratic primary down there. The party’s old triangulation on Israel is failing. Platner was tied to dissatisfaction with party leadership and a hunger for outsider politics and a symptom of a broader party collapse.
Some of Graham's denials have been anything but persuasive. Watch Chris Hayes of MS NOW interview Graham about when he understood the Nazi significance of his chest tattoo. Graham apparently came to understand this significance in October 2025 when his girlfriend (Lyndsey Fifield; from 2013 to 2015) inexplicably knew of the history earlier, at least by a few months and possibly (and probably) by many years. Graham fumbled in his response to Chris Hayes in ways not even remotely credible.
It should go without saying. Of course he should quit. He’s done. Where was the oppo research?
In your former incarnation, I’m betting you burned “witches.”
O K
Then get rid of Clarence Thomas, Pete Hegseth , Brett Kavanaugh, AND Donald Trump , who BTW,was convicted.
I am still incensed about Al Franken being forced out, over off color action in a comedy skit.
He had good policies,
But the Republican pigs can get into powerful jobs & RUIN this country & it's reputation throughout the world.
The day we start holding ourselves up (or should I say down) to the moral standards of the Republican leadership is the day we lose the fight, or should I say, the day that the fight no longer matters. Make no mistake, being from Illinois, I am pissed that our governor (whom I love) did not allow the State legislature to gerrymander. We have to start fighting fire with fire. But that's different from fighting sleaze with sleaze, or corruption with corruption.
Democrats need to address healthcare, working conditions, the environment, corporate greed, excessive inequality, the list goes on. Above all, though, we need to rediscover a word that the Republicans have eliminated from the American version of the English dictionary: decency. This particular candidate, no matter what his position on anything else, cannot do this. So he can't run.
That won’t happen. The completely hypocritical thing is hearing the Republicans pontificate on the subject. The thing is, if we’re going to promote progressive values, we have to be MUCH better than the Rapeubliscams. “Purer than Caesar’s wife.” Is the expression. Knowing where that expression came from is ironic. In thus case, though, it has to be at face value. If Platner doesn’t resign Collins will always revert to that to distract from the issues and it will be a distraction, He should resign and then immediately file suit against his accuser for defamation of character. Serve her with discovery and have her testify under oath in a deposition and again at trial. We have to replace him with a solid socialist. If this was engineered by either the establishment Dems, the Rapeubliscams, or both , we have to show them that they gained nothing,
I admit I burst out laughing when the Chair of the Maine Republican Party came out demanding Platner resign. Someone should keep asking him if he’s ever called on Chump to resign!
Boy, I wish we could! Trying my damnedist!
And the double standard that allows democrats to perish while republicans thrive in this? Honestly Democrats are accused without credibility and they burn. Republicans are convicted multiple times ad-nauseam and they remain. I get that democrats go high but these times are not normal. If this occurred why no charges? Anyone can say anything about anybody these days and we knew-jerk react. Until this is adjudicated in court Platner is innocent.
People these days are paid quite handsomely to smear. I understand about not wanting to question women's accusations of sexual assault. That is real, sadly. However, these are not normal times, when damaging accusations are hurled by republicans at a democrat candidate - despite little to NO concrete evidence being brought forward.
Republicans don't play honestly or fairly - ever. There is no shortage of folks who will lie if paid handsomely (or threatened) to smear the target - usually with accusations that can't quite be verified - accusations that are released at just the right moment.... and voila: democrats will "kill" their own best candidate.
Republicans commit all manner of proven, verified sexual atrocities, but what happens? NOTHING. They go on to win. Democrats, on the other hand, suckers for doing the right thing at the wrong moment when there isn't even proven, validated EVIDENCE, are simply self-defeating and naive. Before you all get on your high horse of sanctimony, in a massive self defeating gesture of highly misguided morality - demand the evidence.
That’s what this feels like. As long as democrats roll over for this treatment we will be easily manipulated and defeated. This is the Republican trump card.
The accuser says Platner was too drunk to remember anything he did the evening he allegedly raped her. How convenient, her word and he has no defense.
I'm sick to death of the rank stupidity of democrats. Sorry, you are going to lose your country.
Establishment Dems don’t listen, they can’t hear. Has something to do, I think, with power corrupting.
Agree 100%!!!
But there's no time for a trial. And if there is a trial before the election, what if she wins her case? Then you have nobody, and it's too late to get a replacement. Better to cut the losses now rather than give Republicans a story (actually, a history) about sexual impropriety. "Dems claim the high road, but look at who they elect!"
He might be innocent, but as a lawmaker he is weakened. He should drop out.
Why is he weakened? Because someone said something about him that may or may not be true? Every time this happens to republicans they gain six points in the polls.
No. Because he said something about himself that may or may not be true.
He’s been open about his past. If he did what this person claims he’d never have entered this race.
I don't believe that for a minute. He already admitted to assault in the past. It's really distracting to run a campaign when you're continually being asked to defend your abusive history. He should have thought about this when the first accusations came forward. Now it's all out in the open and in the headlines.
If he wins his votes are as strong as any other votes.
I’m so disappointed that you, Robert Reich, would condemn someone under these circumstances. Since when are we guilty until proven otherwise? Why did this woman wait so long and not go to the cops five years ago? Why is this something that seems to work against left-wing Democrats but not Republicans? Why are the corporate Democrats hounding a progressive who could beat Susan Collins? I, too, a 73-year-old woman who has donated several times to his race, believe like some others commenting here that something stinks. Moreover, I don’t believe that people have to be saints to run for office. Platner may be a misogynistic ass in his private life for all I know, but that’s not my business nor yours. As someone who worked for Clinton, I’m amazed at your double standard. It’s what he does for the public that matters unless he’s actually taken to court and convicted. Now there, unlike the Maga Republicans, is where I draw the line!
Agree. I am so over the knee jerk reaction of democrats. I am likely going to unsubscribe from multiple substacks over it as I am just over reading it at this point.
Some of this lot wouldn’t vote for JFK and I don’t mean “JR,” either. I mean the fella who said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” And there’s JFK playing itsy bitsy spider with Marilyn Monroe in the White House. Don’t get me started on Bill Clinton!
No, Dems are masters at snatching defeat from the mouth of victory. Heck, as bad as the Trump Regime is, Dems could lose the Midterms!
One good thing to say about Bill Clinton though, he could fight dirty, get down in the mud with Republicans, smash their faces in it, and come up smelling like a rose. Same with Barack Obama. How’d they do that?
Since when did the senate or the established democrats have to be of exemplary character?
Name 2
Why the allegations now?
I agree. Perfect timing.
Lee Atwood. Roger Stone. Just to name a few who could pull these tricks. So you will get a nice bland establishment type and lose the race.
I agree fully with you but it makes me so angry that a rapist is the head of our Country and nothing is being done about that. How messed up are we!!!!!!
I never supported his candidacy, even prior to this latest allegation. If one despises such behavior in Republicans, it is hypocritical to tolerate it within one's own party.
If a little hypocrisy helps defeat a Republican, that's a small thing compared to what some Republicans do to defeat Democrats.
Valid point, and an opinion I can understand, which has actually been shared by his supporters. This latest rape allegation, however, make his transgressions harder to ignore.
Harder to ignore, yes, but is a single allegation a deal-breaker, so to speak? I don't think it is. This is a situation where opinions are all over the place, and that's sad.
Certainly, attempts to verify allegations should be made prior to judgement. Despite Bernie Sanders's early endorsement of Platner, whose espoused platform is reasonable, he is now (even more) damaged goods and unseating Collins will be even more of a challenge. For a decade now, I have been less than inspired by the Democratic Party leadership's inability to analyze what it is doing wrong and its failure to identify and develop future leaders. Finding and vetting these people is key. It is odd that Democrats would freeze out Al Franken (who was potentially a future Democratic star) for his behavior while at SNL, prior to entering politics, and still stand behind Platner.
That being said, I do understand the thought process behind wanting to capture a much-needed Senate seat. I also am aware of how allegations of impropriety, whether true or not, can blow up a candidate's campaign. I witnessed it for an Illinois gubernatorial candidate whom I was campaigning for years ago.
I could be wrong, but as I recall, Al Franken left the Senate of his own accord rather than being run out by the Democrats.
You mentioned that the Democrats' inability or failure to identify, analyze, and vet future leaders is a problem. To the extent that is true, it may be because Democrats, in general, are more open-minded and tolerant of a wide range of people than are Republicans. That increases the risk of running candidates susceptible to criticism from the general public. I don't know - just a thought I had.
The democrats are actively trying to blow this thing.
Amen. This stuff around him has been said for awhile.
Accusations leveled at Platner have been going on for months & months yet this woman remained silent—Why❓Was she offered some sort of compensation for her “sudden statement”❓🤨
Jan, I immediately thought of the same question "about whether she was offered some sort of compensation for her 'sudden statement". ???
Yes a lawyer... Same one that went after swallwell.
That's interesting Emma.
No, he NEEDS to stay. He’s EXACTLY the Senator Maine needs!!
With respect for your position, I’m in Maine and I feel differently. The timing of this new accusation smells fishy. I’m not saying the accuser is a liar or that just because the police didn’t investigate it that means it wasn’t true. It sounds to me like she was manipulated by someone she trusted, maybe her therapist or a close friend or relative, who wasn’t a fan of Platner, into embellishing a story about a tough situation. The lavishly funded right-wing media has been openly looking for someone who can create a scandal, and now they’ve found their scandal.
The thing is, there isn’t anybody who can take over the race, certainly nobody with Platner’s campaign skills and progressive commitment. Janet Mills is nearly 80 and not terribly popular. Nirav Shah, the runner-up in the gubernatorial primary, would be a nightmare—he proclaims himself to be “a Chicago school guy” and got a lot of funding from a charter school group. To me this is Susan Collins pulling victory from the jaws of defeat
The lavishly funded right-wing media has been openly looking for someone who can create a scandal, and now they’ve found their scandal.
Follow the lawyer...
Follow the facts… but racist trash doesn’t do that. You’re just like Trump.
Your activity on this site pretty much says all anyone needs to know. Get a real job.
lol. I don’t get paid to call out racist trash, but it’s a hobby I enjoy.
It's only been, what? less than 6 hours since the news broke? These knee-jerk reactions and immediate throwing under the bus are very disturbing. There are plenty of reasons to have questions about the timing of these accusations. Why wait until the primary is over? The things she said in the CNN interview and her manner of delivery make me question.
Me too Bernard.
It's more than disturbing. It's wrong.
And the timing? I smell Republican dirty tricks. Democrats are so quick to condemn. We are the pure ones. Look at tRump. Convicted twice. Never affected him. So if Susan Collins wins, what then?
He must go. If not, the Dems won't have a chance to wrest that seat from Collins.
We just lost that chance. He was not found guilty in a court of law.
That's right Carol. "He was not found guilty in a court of law". Also, the timing of this is noticeable. Why exactly NOW? Shouldn't this raise further questions and investigation to pursue?
Carol, a court of law determination is not the point. The man shows poor judgment. He should bow out with whatever remaining dignity he has. If that cements Collins position, so be it.
He admitted multiple bad actions. He said he was young.
Maybe he needs to be reborn? That would please many.
Well played, Carol.
Quite the opposite. You watch.