Platner Is OUT - But Who Comes Next??

[Uncle Joe]

Populist U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner suspended his campaign amidst allegations of sexual assault. Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian discuss on The Young Turks.

[sop]

1. Thanks for posting this.

There's a hell of a lot more "nuance" to this story than many here want to admit. I've given up trying to discuss this, it's pointless, everyone's mind is made up. They've all retreated to their corners, responding predictably to accusations of "rape," repeating the same unsubstantiated rumors ad nauseam.

[QueerDuck]

2. Let the wailing and gnashing of teeth begin. "It's all Politico's fault... Platner did nothing wrong"... or something.

Uygur is a POS. I'm not at all suprised that he's defending Platner. 'Well it wasn't that bad. She invited him over. She deserves part of the blame." (or something).

Give Uygur enough time and I'm sure it won't be long before he's telling us that she was dressed sexy, too... and asking "had she been drinking?" ... and suggesting that she should have known better. It was actually more "nuanced" than that, or something.

Please. It's just more of the same old excuse-making, blaming, and diversions. There's only one person to blame for Platner's downfall... and that's Platner himself.

[Uncle Joe]

3. Where have you been? The "wailing and gnashing of teeth" has been going on with the genocide that is Gaza

for over two and half years.

Graham was a most ardent champion in opposing these ongoing atrocities along with taking on the oligarchs that dominate our economics, and politics here in the U.S. He won more votes in the Democratic senatorial primary than any other Democrat in Maine's history while garnering 72% of the vote as a first time candidate.

The people of Maine just had their historical vote eliminated by the DNC with its' guilty until proven innocent verdict, and elimination of critical election infrastructure required to win the general election thereby undercutting Graham's candidacy. That's why he dropped out.

Politico, and the corporate media in general didn't include some critical details with their saturation hatchet job of superficial coverage in trashing Platner thereby promoting the subversion of democracy in Maine.

I've always thought that whatever values a person, institution or nation promotes abroad eventually comes home to roost whether it's respect for democracy, and human rights or not.

[QueerDuck]

4. In the grand scheme of things, a politician's stance on foreign policy does not grant them a blank check ...

... to be an excuse for abusive behavior, racism, and dishonesty.

Attempting to use his political positions on Gaza as a shield to deflect from Platner's actions is a classic diversion. The reality is that Platner's downfall was entirely self-inflicted. His progressive policy positions do not erase the serious sexual assault allegations, his history of anti-gay and racist rhetoric, his Nazi Totenkopf chest tattoo, or the fact that his "self-made oyster farmer" persona was a total fabrication.

Even the most prominent progressives in the country recognized this. As soon as the details of his behavior came to light, leaders like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Ro Khanna immediately rescinded their endorsements and called on him to step down. They didn't view it as an "establishment hatchet job" ... they recognized that his conduct made him completely unfit for office.

Maine and the Democratic Party deserve better than a candidate carrying this much toxic baggage. Having high standards for the people we elect isn't "subverting democracy"—it is how we protect the integrity of our movement. We absolutely dodged a bullet.

[Uncle Joe]

5. Eliminating an endorsement is not the same as eliminating the vote. n/t

[QueerDuck]

6. Nobody "eliminated" the vote.

Graham Platner dropped out because his campaign became completely untenable.

When a candidate hides a history of severe sexual assault allegations, racist rhetoric, and a Nazi Totenkopf tattoo, they are the ones defrauding the voters. Exposing the truth isn't an establishment conspiracy... it's basic vetting.Voters have a right to know exactly who they are casting a ballot for.

Platner wasn't pushed out by the DNC... he was forced out by the weight of his own disqualifying conduct. His support completely collapsed because primary voters refuse to be represented by an abusive fraud.

Good riddance. Maine deserves better and the Democratic party deserves better. We all dodged a bullet, whew!