Graham Platner had one job this week: assess the vibe. Instead, he posted a video about “reflecting on the best path forward” — which is candidate-speak for I’m not going anywhere, and you can’t make me, dammit.
Let’s be clear about what happened. A Maine woman told Politico and CNN that Platner forced himself on her in 2021. He denies it, calls it “categorically false,” and his campaign says the story was “coached and coordinated by out-of-state establishment operatives” — the same conspiratorial deflection he’s used for every damaging story since his Nazi tattoo turned up on camera.
Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand didn’t wait around. They told Platner to withdraw immediately and said the DSCC won’t spend a nickel on Maine as long as he’s the nominee. Elizabeth Warren, who endorsed him, said he should step aside. Ro Khanna pulled his endorsement. Ruben Gallego pulled his. The Maine Democratic Party itself asked him to go.
Bernie Sanders, too:
I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside.