I'm not a big Platner fan, nor do I think progressives poop ice cream, but

[Jersey Devil]

wtf are DUers, who are supposed to be gung ho Democrats, so obviously trying to lob bombs in the path of a nominated Democrat for the US Senate whose election is crucial to gaining a Senate majority?

[walkingman]

1. No worries - Dems will vote BLUE, and Independents will vote BLUE because it will be the best choice.

[regnaD kciN]

2. Because, for some Democrats...

…”Vote Blue No Matter Who” only works in one direction.

[rogue emissary]

37. Last election showed us that's all Democrats.

[Jersey Devil]

4. So you know the absolute truth by consulting with your Captain Video Secret Decoder Ring?

I guess that rules out a sudden jump in the polls showing Platner now up by 4 as a motive for trying another smear campaign?

[dsc]

8. He improved within the MOE

not exactly a huge jump. We now have two women who have come forward with on the record, named accusations against him. Just how many should we have before we accept the obvious. The guy with a NAZI tattoo who denigrated rape victims on public fora has a real problem with women.

[Jersey Devil]

24. That would make him a Nazi Serial Rapist according to your post

He has not been criminally accused by anyone, nor civilly accused like Trump, yet based on these naked accusations you have declared him guilty. Trial by Politico, a new one on me.

Call me old fashioned, but I believe no one should be labeled without some kind of due process, which in this case some have concluded that he has no right to defend himself. If anything is "Nazi", that should be it.

[OGBuzz]

41. Smells like a smear job b/c Republicans know they are about to lose a senate seat. How about Platner

and his accusers all take a polygraph test. This latest accuser admits that she was in a consensual relationship with Platner.

[EdmondDantes_]

53. The next thing you know we're going to hear from married women that they can be raped by their husbands

Perhaps if you weren't too busy smearing the victim you'd have bothered to read she immediately ended the relationship after he attacked her, and told others in 2023.

Just because someone consented before doesn't mean they consented later.

[OGBuzz]

59. Like I said earlier, make them both take a polygraph test, the one that refuses is lying. I have no skin in

the game but after reading the entire story I am still skeptical.

[SamuelAdams]

60. Is she psychic?

These wrote about this in emails and told multiple people years ago. It clearly isn't political. She didn't ask for money or try to ruin his life with the allegations. What motive did she have to lie? I bet you believe Platner is too sick to attend events like he said. I'm sure that has nothing to do with this, right?

[onenote]

63. So were you upset with Kavanaugh being labeled

based on accusations not tested in court?

I wasn’t.

[obamanut2012]

17. And? Swalwell was a shoo-in for CA gov

[mcar]

34. Yeah. So why did we believe his alleged victims

but not Platner's?

[EdmondDantes_]

22. Because we don't only believe victims when it's convenient

Victims lie about SA at a very low rate. Clearly she was very devious telling multiple others about it in 2023 just in case Platner ever ran for office.

[Jersey Devil]

31. Are you so naive that you believe there are no political hit jobs?

Sure, some are valid, but also sure some are not. It's not a question of convenience. It's a question of due process. Unless a formal accusation is made and both sides get the opportunity to state their cases there should be no conclusions drawn. That is the basis of our justice system.

[Torchlight]

61. I don't think accepting an alleged victim's word implies

a corollary belief that conspiracies and hit jobs don't exist.

[Katinfl]

5. Calling him a serial rapist is a bit harsh at this point. He's had problems for sure but..........

Kavanaugh is on the Supreme Court, and look who’s in the WH. Need a lot more info.

[TVguyCards]

7. What? A serial rapist?

What in all things Friday have I missed?

[BannonsLiver]

12. A woman has accused him of raping her 6 years ago, he has denied it.

That’s the cliff notes version obviously

[TVguyCards]

25. Aye yay yay

/ack!

[pat_k]

13. No "serial" about it. But the story is bad.

New report of drunken Platner forcing himself on the woman who previously reported the "unsettling" behavior when she dated him.

I think he is likely to drop out before the deadline to pick a new nominee.

Depressing as hell.

My opinion doesn't matter, but I'd be a hell of a lot happier if they picked David Costello over Mills. I just don't see people getting excited about Mills. Costello was gaining ground when the first NYT reports dropped. There just wasn't enough time before the primary for people to take a closer look at him.

[paleotn]

21. We've been over this

It made zero difference in the primary. Neither has the draw Platner has. This was vetted and made no difference. His primary numbers speak for themselves.

[pat_k]

27. This is a lot worse than "unsettling" behavior.

An answer to previous reports was that no one was accusing him of a crime.

This changes that.

[Deminpenn]

33. Wait, so her "unsettling" behavior allegation

wasn't enough to take down Platner, so now she has upped her game with this new allegation?

FTR, saying this as one, women are perfectly capable of being cunning and conniving to achieve their objective.

[pat_k]

36. True or not, I doubt he can survive this.

But what do I know??

[Deminpenn]

39. Maybe if this was a new allegation, but

to me, it has all the hallmarks of the accuser not achieving her objective with her initial allegation and now upping her ante.

The Rs and Dem establishment are terrified of Platner because he is charismatic and has a winning, populist message. He is definitely going to upset the cozy relationship the establishment has with itself apple cart.

[pat_k]

56. Yes, it has some of the hallmarks of a smear campaign.

Maybe he can tough it out, but I think this may be too much for many.

[OGBuzz]

52. 27 women publicly accusing Trump of everything from sexual harassment, to sexual assault, to rape didn't hurt him

much. Somehow Trump always gets a free pass. By the way, has he paid E. Jean Carroll the $5 million plus interest yet? Or is he going to keep appealing and hoping he outlives her? My money is on E. Jean, she looks to be in great shape.

[pat_k]

54. I know, but Democrats hold their candidates to higher standards.

[onenote]

65. Would you vote for a Democrat who had 27 women accusing him of sexual misconduct

If what Trump got away with is the standard would 28 be a bridge too far?

[Wiz Imp]

47. Costello gaining ground?

He got all of 8% of the vote. He never gained any traction whatsoever.

[paleotn]

15. Gee thanks for helping out Susan Collins

Got data to support that claim?

[dsc]

26. Well we now have two women who have publicly come forward with accounts

of in one case scary domestic violence and in the other out and out rape. And I tend to believe both of them.

[paleotn]

29. Old news. Where ya been?

It made zero diff in the primary.

[AloeVera]

48. "Scary domestic violence"? I missed that. What was it exactly? nt

[Emile]

50. I believe a person is innocent until proven guilty. I assume you don't.

[onenote]

69. Does that apply to everyone or just Democrats?

Do you think the allegations against Kavanaugh were irrelevant?

[pat_k]

6. If he drops out I think David Costello would be a better pick than Mills.

Just thought I'd note that.

But I imagine Mills will be the "default" pick, but there were others making the case for Costello when the NYTimes "unsettling" reports dropped. I think if there had been more time before the primary, he would have gained ground.

[obamanut2012]

11. I think Mills has a better chance agai st Collins

But I like him a lot.

[paleotn]

18. Given her polling? Forget about it

[BannonsLiver]

23. Yeah she excites literally no one.

This is going to be an L, in all likelihood. Six more years for Captain Concerned.

[paleotn]

28. Well, it isn't like Platner hasn't been weathering this storm so far

This isn’t news. This was vetted in the primary. His numbers, both votes for and Dem turnout, speak for themselves.

[BannonsLiver]

32. You may be right. The same thought occurred to me. We'll find out in a few months.

[obamanut2012]

35. Yes and no, i won't

[BannonsLiver]

9. Because they want him to lose?

I’m always wary of “I hope I’m wrong posts” because, generally speaking, when people write that they quietly hope they are proven right. Human nature.

I expect they will probably get their wish. I wasn’t sure he was a shoe in before this latest mess. It’s a pity Maine voters were left to choose between a very weird guy with a checkered past and a 400 year old governor who is dull as dishwater to carry the mantle. We gotta get more talented as a party when it comes to candidates, it’s just that simple. This is utterly pathetic.

[pat_k]

19. I think David Costello would have gained ground if there had been more time...

... between the NYT "unsettling" report and the primary.

I still think he'd be a better pick than Mills, but I don't live there, so my opinion is meaningless.

[obamanut2012]

10. He needs to drop out before July 13

So Mills or someone is on the ticket who has a chance.

Why are you not believing these allegations? Or taking them seriously?

[MustLoveBeagles]

14. I'll wait and see

Innocent until proven guilty. This is bad though.

[obamanut2012]

20. Swalwell

We knew what to do here in California, and we did it

[Drum]

16. I'm leaving it up to the voters in Maine to elect their representatives. nt

[nycbos]

38. Well, I'm speaking for myself here...

I am a lifelong Democrat. I started volunteering on campaigns at 13, collecting signatures to get Bill Bradley on the ballot in New York when he ran for president. (Go Knicks.) I have worked on campaigns as both a volunteer and a paid staff member in six states at all levels of the ballot, from city council races to presidential elections. I've slept in strangers' basements. I've gotten on a plane to a different state to start work with 24 hours' notice. I am also Jewish. I am absolutely disgusted that the party I've been a member of my entire life is embracing a guy who literally had an SS tattoo. Something tells me that if it were a Confederate flag tattoo, he would've been ostracized and rightly so. I do not trust him as far as I could throw him.

[RoeVWade]

40. Fast rising populist candidates NEED GOOD VETTING. DAMMIT.

I'm assuming this is probably toasting him. Unless something comes out that discredits what I'm hearing, I just think it's sounding awful.

[danieljsf]

42. Democrats love virtue signaling more than winning.

We are at war with a fascist takeover of our country by Republicans. We can't afford to be better than they are. We need to be ruthless to win back the House and Senate.

[Skittles]

44. is that what you call rape?

virtue signaling?

[BannonsLiver]

64. Broadly speaking you are correct, though this particular case is not a very good example of that.

[orangecrush]

43. Ask Al Franken

[Nanjeanne]

45. I'm afraid this is going to be the end of the Platner unless there's something we aren't aware of yet. A new candidate

needs to be found quickly and someone with the progressive commitment to get people excited w/o the baggage. The policies are going to be the only thing that will save this potential seat. If they choose someone "safe" vs bold it's all over for winning the seat.

[Torchlight]

46. My guess is

more than a few are feeling anxious and uneasy at this development, knowing the stakes of senate control are potentially on the line, thinking it's no less irrational to dismiss the story out of hand as it is to assert its absolute veracity out of hand.

But that's just a guess...

[Jacson6]

51. Today he has canceled three town halls.

I don't think there is any one on DU that can pump him up.

[dave99]

55. Damn Fucking Republicans !!! They need to be rid of

[obamanut2012]

66. Platner isn't a Republican

Nor is his accuser.

[agingdem]

57. A few things..

Platner is a DNC fuck-up…when he threw his hat in the ring the DNC should have vetted the hell out of him…they didn’t…the Nazi tattoo should have been red flag #1..

And as for Dems eating their own…absolutely…as much as I loathe Republicans they don’t trash their candidates which is why pigs like Trump and Paxton and all the other GOP slime gets elected…

[Blasphemer]

58. It's not about lobbing bombs, it's about having been persistently "poo poo-ed" after voicing legitimate concerns

The writing was on the wall months ago. Many of us were persistently attacked, had posts removed, or risked being tombstoned for pointing out that all the available evidence pointed to him being a highly problematic candidate on top of having had no prior experience that would have allowed for previously vetting. Now we're attacked for having being rightfully skeptical. I want the party to do better. I want the party to win the Maine Senate seat. I don't want the party to become the MAGA of the left by blindly supporting candidates despite egregious failings and insufficient experience.

[obamanut2012]

68. Exactly

[SamuelAdams]

62. Sadly this apparently comes as a shock here, but some people actually care about sexual assualt.

We aren't willing to pretend alcohol makes you racist, women are all out to get him, allegations told to her therapist years ago are fake just because a Democrat is accused. You either care about these issues or you don't. Are all the Trump, Cosby, Judge Roy Moore, Harvey Weinstein accusers who waited to come forward liars too?

[efhmc]

67. This none of my business Texan wonder where are the Dems who should have done a deeper investigation of this known

flawed candidate? I think he would be a good representative but no can do. You know the last two great Dem candidates were solidly family men. Although Biden was thought to be a bit of a party guy before Jill. With Joe that probably means he stayed up past 12 and got hair plugs.