Maine Dems Embraced Platner Despite Nazi Tattoo, Rants
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- Graham Platner denied an on-the-record rape allegation this week, having been described as a "walking time bomb" long before the accusation surfaced
- Platner's pre-existing baggage included a Nazi tattoo, social media rants, and "rampant rumors about women," per the source
- Many Democratic leaders privately feared the Maine Democrat could be trouble, yet rationalized their embrace of him as the party's U.S. Senate nominee
- Platner is now locked in as the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, meaning the party cannot easily replace him before the general election
Why it matters: Democratic leaders elevated Platner as their Senate nominee despite already knowing about his Nazi tattoo, social media rants, and the rumors about women — and the party now owns that record alongside a fresh on-the-record rape allegation. With the nominee slot already filled, Maine's competitive Senate race becomes harder to defend on character grounds for the rest of the ticket.
